One famous Indian English love story is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. It tells the love story of Ammu and Velutha, set against the backdrop of caste and social norms in Kerala. Their love is a forbidden one, and the story beautifully weaves in the complex family relationships, the beauty of the Kerala landscape, and the harsh realities of society that try to keep them apart.
One characteristic is the strong influence of Indian culture. Family values often play a huge role in the love stories. For example, in many novels, the couple has to deal with the approval or disapproval of their families. Another is the vivid description of the Indian landscape and settings, which adds to the charm of the love story. Also, there is often a mix of traditional and modern values in these novels, as India is a country in transition.
One great Indian English love story novel is 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth. It weaves a complex tapestry of multiple love stories against the backdrop of post - independence India. Another is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy, which contains a poignant love story within its exploration of family and society in Kerala. Also, 'The Palace of Illusions' by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni retells the story of the Mahabharata from Draupadi's perspective, with love being a significant part of her journey.
They tend to have rich descriptions of the settings, be it the bustling cities or the serene villages in India. This setting adds depth to the love stories as it forms the backdrop against which the characters' relationships develop. For instance, in 'The God of Small Things', the Kerala landscape is almost like another character in the love story.
Social hierarchies are a prevalent theme. India has a complex social structure, and love stories often deal with how love can be affected by class, caste, and social status. For instance, in many stories, the rich - poor divide can create obstacles for the lovers, as the society may not accept a relationship between someone from a wealthy background and someone from a poorer one.
Another notable one is 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth. This epic novel contains elements of love stories among its many plotlines. It beautifully portrays different kinds of love in the context of post - independence India, with detailed descriptions of the characters' emotions and the social settings.
One possible theme could be the clash of cultures. English represents a Western culture, and in an Indian context, there may be a struggle or an exploration of how these two cultures interact. Another theme might be self - discovery. As the main character deals with English, they could also be on a journey of finding out who they are.
There was an Indian English story about a girl named Priya. She was really into English literature. She used to write her own stories in English. However, her family thought it was a waste of time as they believed she should focus more on traditional Indian studies. But Priya didn't listen. She sent her stories to various publishers in India. After many rejections, one publisher recognized her talent and published her book. It became very popular and she inspired many young Indians to pursue English writing.