Interview with Suneeta Misra author of 'Rani of Rampur'
The suspense novel "Rani of Rampur" is colorful thriller filled with drama and exotic locales. Readers travel with young journalist Rani as she journey's to the Indian village where her mother grew up, in an attempt to help her gain part of the family estate. Drama, intrigue and scandal await in this juicy read.
Let's hear what author Suneeta Misra has to say about "Rani of Rampur".
Q: Was it difficult to write a book as eventful and complex as Rani of Rampur?
A: No, I come from India and even though I didn’t grow up in a village, I visited often enough to understand the complexities of village life. Last year, I spent some time in a Indian village in east UP in order to make a documentary on the education of low caste dalit girls. I documented many stories of girls who showed great courage in the face of challenges. Out of these stories grew a desire to create a fictional story of a strong Indian girl, who takes on challenges that come her way without the need of a prince charming to save her. This story is meant for a new adult (18-25) audience and so I was striving to drive the point home that Indian women should make themselves so capable that no one can question their abilities. The teacher in me is unfortunately, always looking for lessons learned.
Q: What do you think American readers will find most interesting or surprising in reading about India?
A: India is a country where the modern and feudal, coexist side by side. We have state of the art software companies and we have grand traditional arranged marriage where people waste millions of rupees to impress their family and friends. This juxtaposition of the modern with the traditional is often missing in the American way of life.
Q: In what ways, if at all, do you identify with Rani?
A: She is based both on elements of my personality and on what I wish to be. She is also based on my vision of what a strong Indian girl needs to be like in a patriarchal culture like that in India.
Q: Is there a genre you’d like to explore but haven’t yet?
A: I have only touched upon the supernatural genre in my first two books, and would like to make one of my future books a full- fledged ghost story.
Q: What is your greatest source of inspiration?
A: My daughter, who I can bounce ideas off of, and sometimes seems to be the only person who appreciates some of the stories I like to spin. Incidentally, she is also a writer, and helped me edit this book.
Let's hear what author Suneeta Misra has to say about "Rani of Rampur".
Q: Was it difficult to write a book as eventful and complex as Rani of Rampur?
A: No, I come from India and even though I didn’t grow up in a village, I visited often enough to understand the complexities of village life. Last year, I spent some time in a Indian village in east UP in order to make a documentary on the education of low caste dalit girls. I documented many stories of girls who showed great courage in the face of challenges. Out of these stories grew a desire to create a fictional story of a strong Indian girl, who takes on challenges that come her way without the need of a prince charming to save her. This story is meant for a new adult (18-25) audience and so I was striving to drive the point home that Indian women should make themselves so capable that no one can question their abilities. The teacher in me is unfortunately, always looking for lessons learned.
Q: What do you think American readers will find most interesting or surprising in reading about India?
A: India is a country where the modern and feudal, coexist side by side. We have state of the art software companies and we have grand traditional arranged marriage where people waste millions of rupees to impress their family and friends. This juxtaposition of the modern with the traditional is often missing in the American way of life.
Q: In what ways, if at all, do you identify with Rani?
A: She is based both on elements of my personality and on what I wish to be. She is also based on my vision of what a strong Indian girl needs to be like in a patriarchal culture like that in India.
Q: Is there a genre you’d like to explore but haven’t yet?
A: I have only touched upon the supernatural genre in my first two books, and would like to make one of my future books a full- fledged ghost story.
Q: What is your greatest source of inspiration?
A: My daughter, who I can bounce ideas off of, and sometimes seems to be the only person who appreciates some of the stories I like to spin. Incidentally, she is also a writer, and helped me edit this book.
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Jennifer K. Lafferty, author of Movie Dynasty Princesses, reviews a wide range of books and discusses various aspects of contemporary and classic literature.
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