Nayantara Sahgal, Rich Like Us

Neluka Silva (University of Colombo)

Ed. by John Thieme, University of East Anglia
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 10.3.1.03: Indian Writing and Culture: Post-colonial, 1947-present.
Vol. editors: Claire Gallien (Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3), Pavan Kumar Malreddy (J W Goethe University of Frankfurt), Delphine Munos (Université de Liège)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1985

Places

India (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Novel

Resources

Since its first publication in 1985, Rich Like Us has received wide critical acclaim. The temporal setting of the text – from 1932 to the mid 1970s – weaves together critical moments in Indian history: the Freedom struggle, the Partition, the Indian Independence and its aftermath, the Emergency (1975-1977) being the pivotal point in the text. Although Sahgal is closely related to the illustrious Nehru family, in Rich Like Us she impugns the dynastic politics of her first cousin Indira Gandhi through an examination of the Emergency and its implications for Indian democracy. The Emergency, Indira Gandhi’s brainchild, is projected as “a thinly disguised masquerade, preparing the country for family rule” (…

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2184 words

Citation: Silva, Neluka. "Rich Like Us". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 May 2003 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=12222, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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