In this week's podcast we start a new occasional series exploring the political effects of literature. For our first programme we look to the Indian subcontinent where a new generation of novelists are unafraid to tackle even the most dangerous issues.
Tahmima Anam's The Good Muslim illuminates the dangers of religious extremism in Bangladesh. Mirza Waheed's The Collaborator ventures into the occupied territory of Kashmir - a place closed to journalistic enquiry. They join us in the studio, along with our former Delhi correspondent Randeep Ramesh, to look at the circumstances that have created this distinct and vibrant new body of work. We also talk to Aatish Taseer about how events in Pakistan have changed the meaning of his novel The Temple-goers in the timelag between the hardback and paperback editions.
Plus, we look at some of the 500 recommendations that our readers made in response to our request for your top science fiction tips.
Reading list
The Good Muslim, by Tahmima Anam (Canongate)
The Collaborator, by Mirza Waheed (Viking)
The Temple-goers by Aatish Taseer (Penguin)
