Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy is an Indian author, essayist, and political activist best known for her novel "The God of Small Things," which won the Booker Prize in 1997.

Arundhati Roy is an Indian author, essayist, and political activist best known for her Booker Prize-winning novel "The God of Small Things." She has also built a reputation as a vocal commentator on human rights, environmental issues, and political questions in India.

What it is

Arundhati Roy (born 24 November 1961 in Shillong, India) is a writer and activist. Her debut novel, "The God of Small Things," won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997. She has since published nonfiction and essay collections on democracy, war, capitalism, and social justice, including "The Algebra of Infinite Justice" and "Capitalism: A Ghost Story."

Why it matters

Roy's work bridges literary fiction and political activism. Her novel reshaped Indian English literature, while her essays and public commentary address inequality, state power, and environmental degradation. She has been a prominent voice on human rights and has faced legal scrutiny for her activism, making her a significant figure in global political discourse.

Key details

Roy's major awards include the Booker Prize (1997), Sydney Peace Prize (2004), Norman Mailer Prize, and PEN Pinter Prize (2024). The PEN Pinter Prize was shared with imprisoned writer Alaa Abd El-Fattah as the "Writer of Courage." Her activism has involved human rights and environmental causes, and she has been identified as a political activist in India and internationally.