Another Country

Anjali Joseph’s sophomore novel is another exercise in subtle, delicate beauty. Having been daubed one of the Telegraph’s 20 writers under 40, she has gone on from Saraswati Park to win a heap of awards. Another Country further confirms early acclaim.

Set between Paris, London and Bombay, it concerns lost and lovelorn Leela as she navigates the middle classes of each, directionless and impulsive, yet so achingly self-conscious. Leela, perhaps a cipher for Joseph herself, is always on the verge of fading into the background until her exoticism comes into focus. A particularly great West London dinner party scene sticks out, as well as choice bon mots about Leela’s appearance from Bombay socialites.

What emerges is a mediation on the twenties of someone with no real home-base, someone who works, loves and allows things to happen to her, and we’re left with a sense of sadness that sticks with you. Anjali Joseph’s ability to create vivid scenes from which wry, bittersweet or well-observed characters mingle. A strong second book from a great writer.