It would be a pity if there were no books: Hemani Dalmia

At a time when girls her age are perplexed over their career paths, Hemani Dalmia seems to have discovered her true calling.

At a time when girls her age are perplexed over their career paths and are switching professions, Hemani Dalmia seems to have discovered her true calling. This 24-year-old Oxford graduate marked her entry into the literary world with her debut book ‘Life is Perfect’. With a ‘perfect’ beginning under her belt, the talented debutant is already working on her next book. Though her first book is creating waves, the author is in no hurry to pen books just for the sake of it and boldly says that her next work will hit shelves only after 2 years. Speaking to Tanu Talwar of Spicezee.com the gifted author spoke about her inspiration and forthcoming books. Tanu: Tell us a about your book?

Hemani: Life is Perfect is a coming-of-age novel set in Delhi. It traces the life of a young woman named Mitali Jaitia who, on the surface, has everything– youth, money, intelligence, beauty. However, things aren’t as perfect as they seem. Mitali has to cope with the realities of life– the break-up of her parents’ marriage, the death of a cousin, her complex relationships with the men in her life and the seemingly superficial lives of her friends. Life is Perfect winds through colleges, cafes, parties and family dinners and provides a window to life in contemporary Delhi. Tanu: What inspired you to take up the subject? Hemani: While I was growing up, I read a lot of Indian writing in English. Most of this painted an exotic picture of India as a land of elephants, snake-charmers and spices. Recently, a lot of Indian writing has centered on Indians trying to negotiate their cultural and national identities. I wanted to write a very different book, one that deals with unpoliticised, everyday life; one that explores what life can be like for young urban Indians with their families and friends, and the emotional and psychological evolution that they undergo. Tanu: Who are the literary influences in your life? Hemani: I am greatly influenced by 19th century realist fiction authors like Jane Austen, George Eliot, Thackeray, Tolstoy. I do think of my writing as very much a part of that tradition. Amongst more modern writing, I love the work of Margaret Atwood. Recently, I was completed blown away by Zadie Smith’s On Beauty. Tanu: What genre would you categorise your writing in? Hemani: Realist fiction. Tanu: A lot of books have been adapted into films. Do you feel that books lose their impact when made into films? Hemani: I think that books and their film adaptations need to be considered independently. Both are very different story-telling techniques and it is unfair to expect the same product from both. However, a well-crafted film that can stand on its own feet is a pleasure to watch, even if it does not faithfully chronicle the story of the book it is based on. Tanu: Who’s your favorite author? Hemani: I am a prolific reader and it is impossible for me to name one author as my favourite. Some books that I have loved are The Shadow Lines by Amitav Ghosh, Clear Light of Day by Anita Desai, Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, Vanity Fair by William Thackeray, My Son’s Story by Nadine Gordimer, On Beauty by Zadie Smith, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. I also love to curl up with a Poirot mystery by Agatha Christie. Tanu: Which book are you reading currently? Hemani: Three books at the same time: The Inheritors by Neel Chowdhury, Solo by Rana Dasgupta and The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl. Tanu: Have you read Booker winner Aravind Adiga’s ‘The White Tiger’? What is your opinion of the book? Hemani: No, I have not read it as yet. I feel very wary of books that seem to be packaging India for a western audience and there is a huge buzz in that vein regarding Adiga’s book. However, I do intend to read it eventually to form an independent opinion. Tanu: What is the storyline of your next work all about and when will it hit shelves? Hemani: It’s much too early to say right now. I am working on 4 different ideas simultaneously. The hope is that one of these will develop into something and consume me completely. I would say my next book is at least 2 years away. Tanu: As a young author, what’s your message to the youth that is wary of pen and engrossed in television? Hemani: Make time for both and develop the faculties to appreciate and enjoy both. Reading is enormously rewarding and fulfilling, and it would be a pity to go through life without experiencing the richness of it.