What do a right-wing YouTube creator and a small-town salesgirl have in common?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara sit down with Prayaag Akbar, author of Mother India, to explore the intersections of identity, ambition, and the rapid transformations of urban India. Through the lives of Mayank, a right-wing YouTuber, and Nisha, a small-town salesgirl navigating Delhi’s class-driven chaos, Prayaag examines the human cost of our obsession with relevance and validation.

Prayaag shares the creative journey behind his novel, from an abandoned historical fiction project to crafting this sharp and modern tale. He dives into the complexities of balancing flawed, relatable characters with a fast-moving narrative, revealing how Delhi itself became a character in the book. With conversations about social media’s real-world impact, the power of motivation in storytelling, and the soul of a city in flux, this episode is packed with insights for readers and writers alike.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a novel both timely and timeless, or how fiction can capture the pulse of a city, this episode is for you.

Books Mentioned in this episode:
Leila - Prayaag Akbar
A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan
You Envy the Coutinhos and Other Migrants in the Middle East - Michelle D’Costa
Temporary People - Deepak Unnikishan
Deepti Kapoor
Shivani Sibal
Anjum Hasan

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.