11 Books That Reveal New Sides Of Mumbai

India’s financial, industrial and film capital, most populous city, and probably the subject of the most writing as well, Mumbai holds a special place in the heart of the nation. Although there are many thousands of books that attempt to capture the absurdities of the city, from the time of Manto and even earlier, it’s not a place that one immediately associates with the literary. But we’ve chosen a range of Bombay books from recent decades that illuminate various aspects of the metropolis, from must-reads you’ve probably heard of to some lesser known gems. 

Salman Rushdie - Midnight’s Children (1983) 

Amongst the most iconic Indian books ever, Salman Rushdie’s novel is about everything from partition to colonialism to identity, and traverses many geographies, but at its heart are stunning depictions of Bombay. With its innovative style of magical realism that compresses much of India’s cultural history into the plot, it won the 1981 Booker Prize, and decades later was also awarded the ‘Best of the Booker’ award twice and is widely considered one of the books of the past century, catapulting Rushdie to global stardom. 

Rohinton Mistry - Tales from Firozsha Baag (1987)

Many of Rohinton Mistry’s works could be considered for this list, since he made Mumbai one of his central themes, but this one is particularly relevant because of its focus on one Parsee apartment complex called Firozsha Baag, and a number of interconnected short stories in this setting. Though the theme is mundane, Mistry’s writing is anything but, and he captures the everyday life of various inhabitants and a tapestry of cultural and community quirks in the most lucid and effortless manner. 

Suketu Mehta - Maximum City (2004)

Mehta’s book is one of the defining narrative nonfiction accounts of Mumbai, in which he follows various aspects of the city while also trying to find his place in it. A finalist for the Pulitzer, the book’s title has become another name for Bombay itself, as he delves into the lives of various inhabitants of the city, from the underworld to the migrants to the wealthy, all the while uncovering personal and collective histories. 

Altaf Tyrewala - No God in Sight (2005)

This debut novel follows a similar pattern to many of the other books on this list, exploring an infinite city through vignettes from various perspectives, through fictionalised first-person accounts of an abortionist, a butcher, a CEO, a gangster, and several others. The book zips along quickly and provides snapshots of a city in motion, of the human stories amidst the endless churn, and of the dense, oppressive nature of Mumbai. 

Gyan Prakash - Mumbai Fables (2010)

Another nonfiction account of the city, Mumbai Fables has a greater focus on the history and development of Mumbai, from the Portuguese conquest to British rule to the present day. It also explores the lives of various dwellers, across classes and social groups, traversing many eras of the metropolis and the people within it. It’s a great read for anyone who has a fascination with the allure and the context of the wildly diverse city. 

Shilpa Phadke - Why Loiter? Women and Risk on Mumbai Streets (2011)

This deeply researched work on loitering and women’s safety in India, primarily through the lens of Mumbai, is a work that is a welcome addition to works about the city. Through its deceptively simple premise, it showcases a woman’s perspective on large Indian cities and uncovers various truths about Indian society and safety, as well as the way in which the freedom of women is curtailed in small and big ways, even in a city that is often considered India’s most progressive. It’s thought-provoking not just for its central thesis but also for the ways in which it illuminates the role of urban planning, societal structures and several other factors when it comes to the safety of women.  

Jerry Pinto - Em and the Big Hoom (2012)

The heartbreakingly powerful tale of a family dealing with mental illness and the intricacies of everyday life, Jerry Pinto’s novel is also about Bombay - from its one bedroom Mahim setting to its recounting of the various sociocultural quirks of the city, the journey of the Mendes family is deeply linked to their environment. This is one of those rare books that can make you laugh and cry at the same time, and definitely worth a read. 

Katherine Boo - Behind the Beautiful Forevers (2012)

Although written by a ‘foreigner’, this book is imbued with a deep and powerful understanding of Mumbai and the modern city in general. It’s an account of Katherine Boo’s years spent researching the slum of Annawadi, and the stories of the people who live there, told with more panache than most novels and deeply researched. From a woman who lights herself on fire to scrap metal gatherers to families striving to move up the food chain, it’s a heartbreaking and gripping account of the 21st century ‘undercity’.  

Jeet Thayil - Narcopolis (2012)

A ‘rich, chaotic, hallucinatory dream’ of a book that was nominated for the Booker, Jeet Thayil’s novel is about Shuklaji Street in the 1970s, examining Mumbai through its addicts, sex workers, pimps and poets, and taking you on a memorable journey. Drawing from Thayil’s pedigree as a poet, the book is a tapestry of lyrical vignettes that flit in and out of the underbelly of the city, jumping between times and minds to create a snapshot of a time that always seem to be slipping away. 

Jayant Kaikini - No Presents Please (2017)

A collection of short stories that were written over the course of a decade in the author’s native Kannada and translated in recent years, Jayant Kaikini’s book is truly an underappreciated gem. It showcases various sides of Mumbai through stories that are shot through with pathos and character, from Irani cafes to chawls to old cinemas and various other spaces. Capturing with great efficiency all the things that make the city at once amazing and awful, it’s a must-read if you want a glimpse into the soul of the city. 

Amrita Mahale - Milk Teeth (2018)

A sensitively and subtly told novel that evokes much nostalgia for Mumbai in the 1990s through the eyes of two protagonists years later, it explores Matunga, growing up, changing relationships and friendships, and various other aspects of the city. From remembering the city of the past to marvelling at the spectacular pace of change, this is a book that stays with you and feels truly affecting.