The Last Jet-Engine Laugh by Ruchir Joshi

The Last Jet-Engine Laugh by Ruchir Joshi

‘The brand new experience after Rushdie: a megashow, Russian in size, Indian in soul’ India Today

‘Written in the joyous tradition of Tristram Shandy, Joshi has Sterne’s gift for digressions [and] the master’s eye for his surroundings. This is surely a great moment for Indian literature. “The Last Jet-Engine Laugh” debates whether the story of a nation can be the story of a self.’ Tom Payne, Daily Telegraph

‘Exhilarating…Joshi’s narrative jump-cuts with a surreal invention reminiscent of the work of Vonnegut.’ The Times

‘Proof positive that it’s possible for Indian writers to be wickedly cynical, funny and bitter without the scathing edge blunting the Indianness or vice versa…Put simply, “The Last Jet-Engine Laugh” is a family saga across three generations. It’s also (as most really good books are) a love story. But before you yawn and reach for the remote saying, “Yaar, saala, it’s been done before,” it ain’t quite been done like this. Joshi is a most unsuitable boy, and if there were a glass palace about, he’d be the one throwing stones.’ Anita Roy, Biblio

‘Stylish, suggestive, musical…a great moment for Indian literature.’ Daily Telegraph

Ruchir Joshi is a trained and practising filmmaker in India. Born and raised in Calcutta, he now lives in Delhi.