Here is a fine selection of poetry from the great innovator of the dramatic monologue: Robert Browning. Imbued with psychological penetration, lively wit, and colloquial exuberance which were hitherto alien to Victorian poetry, Brownings poetry was remarkable for its time. His expert mimicry of voices from across the breadth of human nature makes for entertaining listening, and the characters that he depicts, such...
A Suitable Boy is Vikram Seth's epic love story set in India. Funny and tragic, with engaging, brilliantly observed characters, it is as close as you can get to Dickens for the twentieth century. The story unfolds through four middle class families - the Mehras, Kappoors, Khans and Chatterjis. Lata Mehra, a university student, is under pressure from...