1. Who is the author of A Suitable Boy, one of the longest novels published in a single volume in English?
a) R.K. Narayan
b) Vikram Seth
c) Salman Rushdie
d) Amitav Ghosh
Answer: b) Vikram Seth
Explanation: A Suitable Boy is a sweeping family saga set in post-independence India, known for its detailed narrative and depth.
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2. Which novel by R.K. Narayan introduced the fictional town of Malgudi?
a) Swami and Friends
b) The Guide
c) The English Teacher
d) Waiting for the Mahatma
Answer: a) Swami and Friends
Explanation: Published in 1935, this novel laid the foundation for Narayan’s Malgudi series, portraying small-town Indian life.
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3. What is the central theme of The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy?
a) British colonialism
b) Forbidden love and caste
c) Partition of India
d) Women empowerment
Answer: b) Forbidden love and caste
Explanation: The novel explores how family and societal expectations affect personal choices, set in Kerala.
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4. Which novel by Rohinton Mistry explores the impact of the Emergency in India?
a) Family Matters
b) Tales from Firozsha Baag
c) A Fine Balance
d) Such a Long Journey
Answer: c) A Fine Balance
Explanation: Set during the 1975 Emergency, the novel offers a powerful portrayal of suffering, resilience, and survival.
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5. In The White Tiger, what symbolizes the protagonist’s transformation and rebellion?
a) A train
b) A murder
c) A letter
d) A tiger
Answer: b) A murder
Explanation: The murder of his employer represents Balram’s break from servitude and rise in a corrupt system.
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6. Who wrote The Palace of Illusions, a retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi’s perspective?
a) Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
b) Anuja Chauhan
c) Sudha Murthy
d) Arundhati Roy
Answer: a) Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Explanation: This novel reimagines an epic through a feminist lens, giving voice to a silenced character.
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7. What genre best describes The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi?
a) Realistic fiction
b) Historical romance
c) Mythological fiction
d) Political satire
Answer: c) Mythological fiction
Explanation: The novel blends mythology with adventure and reinterprets Shiva as a human hero.
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8. What is the main focus of The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy?
a) Environmentalism
b) Hindu mythology
c) Marginalized voices in India
d) A rural love story
Answer: c) Marginalized voices in India
Explanation: The novel explores lives of transgender people, Kashmir conflict, and social unrest in contemporary India.
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9. What distinguishes Serious Men by Manu Joseph in the modern Indian literary scene?
a) Use of dialects
b) Humorous critique of caste and science
c) A female protagonist
d) A post-apocalyptic setting
Answer: b) Humorous critique of caste and science
Explanation: The novel highlights social mobility and aspiration through dark humor.
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10. The Inheritance of Loss deals with which of the following major issues?
a) Urban unemployment
b) Terrorism
c) Identity and displacement
d) Farmer suicides
Answer: c) Identity and displacement
Explanation: Kiran Desai’s Booker-winning novel explores the effects of colonial legacy and migration.
Labels for blog: Modern Indian Novels, Indian English Fiction, Post-independence Literature, Indian Authors, Contemporary Fiction, Mythological Retellings, Feminist Indian Novels, Political Themes in Indian Fiction, Booker Prize Winners, Literary India
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