Kiran Desai: US Life Revolves Around Race

Kiran Desai, a Booker Prize laureate, has returned to the Jaipur Literature Festival, sharing insights on the pervasive nature of race in the United States. She described how, upon arrival, immigrants are immediately categorized and drawn into conversations about race that permeate American institutions and daily life, from universities to the homeless situation. This reckoning, she noted, is a gradual process for immigrants who may initially feel unfamiliar with the history.

Desai highlighted a peculiar racial hierarchy that exists not only in the US but also within immigrant communities, including those of Indian descent. Her latest novel, "The Lonliness of Sonia and Sunny," which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, directly confronts these issues. The book aims to portray the often unspoken racist thoughts and remarks made by some, such as a scene where Sunny's mother voices such sentiments, forcing Sunny to silence her.

Furthermore, Desai indicated that this novel might be her last in-depth exploration of India. Having lived in the US for an extended period, she felt compelled to capture a deep portrayal of India while her father was still alive and during her visits. The proximity to her father's passing in 2008 in Delhi marked a shift, making her feel this was a final opportunity for such profound literary engagement with her homeland.