Can you recommend some best South Asian fiction?

I'd say 'The Namesake' by Jhumpa Lahiri. Lahiri's writing is accessible and engaging. The story about a South Asian family in a new cultural setting is easy to follow and helps beginners understand the South Asian immigrant experience.

One of the best South Asian fiction books is 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. It weaves a complex and magical story around the time of India's independence. Another great one is 'Arundhati Roy's 'The God of Small Things'. It beautifully portrays the lives and relationships in a small South Indian town. Also, 'The Namesake' by Jhumpa Lahiri is highly recommended as it delves into the experiences of a Bengali family in America while still being deeply rooted in South Asian culture.

One interesting South Asian historical fiction is 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. It combines history, magic realism and family saga, exploring India's transition from colonial rule to independence. Also, 'The Hungry Tide' by Amitav Ghosh is set in the Sundarbans and delves into the area's history, culture and environment.

One great South Asian fiction book is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. It beautifully depicts the complex family dynamics and social hierarchies in Kerala, India. Another is 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. It tells the story of India's transition to independence through the lives of children born at midnight on the day of India's independence. And 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth is also a well - known South Asian fiction, which offers a vivid portrayal of post - independence India with its diverse characters and their relationships.

For beginners, I'd recommend 'Train to Pakistan' by Khushwant Singh. It's a historical novel that is not too difficult to understand and gives a very clear picture of the partition of India. Also, 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth, although it's a long novel, has a simple enough plot at its core - the search for a suitable boy for a girl - which makes it approachable. And the descriptions of post - independence India are really interesting.

The 'Jataka Tales' are wonderful for children. These are a collection of stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. They are full of simple yet profound moral lessons, like being kind to others and not being greedy. The stories are often short and engaging, with vivid characters that children can easily relate to.

There are several emerging South Asian science fiction works. For example, some local authors are starting to incorporate their unique cultural backgrounds like the caste system, religious beliefs, and traditional stories into science - fiction narratives. These works not only explore futuristic concepts such as space travel and artificial intelligence but also reflect on how South Asian society might adapt to such changes in the future. They often use local languages or a mix of English and local languages to reach a wider audience within South Asia.

One of the best South Asian novels is 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. It weaves a complex and magical story around the birth of India and Pakistan. Another great one is 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth, which is a long and detailed exploration of post - independence India through the search for a suitable boy for a young woman. Also, 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy is highly regarded. It delves deep into the caste system and family dynamics in Kerala, India, with a beautifully written narrative.

There is also the story of 'Shakuntala' which is a beautiful love story. Shakuntala, a nymph, falls in love with King Dushyanta. However, due to a curse, he forgets her. It's a story that explores themes of love, fate, and the power of forgiveness. It has been adapted into various forms of art in South Asia and beyond.

One popular South Asian fantasy novel is 'The Palace of Illusions' by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It retells the Mahabharata from Draupadi's perspective.