Best Books To Read By Arundhati Roy On This Women’s Day (2025)

Arundhati Roy is one of the most prominent names in the Indian literary landscape, from fiction to non fiction, she has excelled in every way and has given some of the best books to read and help celebrate the contributions of women in literature on the occasion of women’s day.

Books By Arundhati Roy For Women's Day
Books By Arundhati Roy For Women's Day

The voices of women have played an important role in shaping the literary landscape and when it comes to celebrating the contribution of women in Indian literature Arundhati Roy’s name shines in bold letters. She has given some of the most incredible writings with both fiction and non fiction writings. The God Of Small Things and The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness are the two important works of fiction by Roy and her writing is a streak of non fiction writing right after that. Women’s day is a celebration of women in all walks of life and this women’s day is the right time to indulge in the powerful words written by Arundhati Roy. Her words are a powerful political voice that tells about the developments of the Indian political scenario and circles on global political issues as well. Roy has left a remarkable mark in the history of Indian literature with her writings and will serve as a reminder of the great contribution that women have made in Indian literature.

Top 5 Books Of Arundhati Roy To Read On Women’s Day

The collection of writing from Arundhati Roy spans across genre, from both fictional to nonfiction accounts, her writing echoes her political thoughts and inclination and provides a fresh and alternate route to the more major narrative of things. Her writing qualifies as the best books to read for the spirit of women’s day celebrations. 

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    The God Of Small Things

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    The debut novel of Arundhati Roy is a story of turmoil that comes with the persistent issues of caste and political struggle. The God Of Small Things is the story of Rahel and Estha and follows a non linear structure of narrative going back and forth to the childhood of both the characters and the adult life. The book follows the undercurrents of social commentary which goes on to become one of the main themes in all of Roy’s writing. Estha and Rahel being twins share an indelible bond but as the story progresses through a series of misfortunes and tragedies they get separated and are forced to live apart from each other as a consequence of situations that unfolded. As the story centers the twin characters it focuses strongly on the tragic love story of a woman who dared to love outside her caste. Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize for this and it is considered as one of the best books written by her. 

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    The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

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    The story of this book happened two decades later, after her debut winning book The God Of Small Things. The time lapse of two decades clearly shows as the writer takes on a more complex story line that weaves through varied political issues of contemporary India and covers the stories of identities and structures that are heavily marginalized for political power structures to stay put. The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness is a tale of sexuality, gendered identities, violence and displacement all wrapped in one. As opposed to revolving around two characters that happened with The God Of Small Things, this book tells the story of multiple characters that play a central role in the wide narrative structure of a worthy novel read. 

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    My Seditious Heart: Collected Non-fiction

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    A different take and a more profound piece that mirrors what Arundhati Roy really wants to talk about. My Seditious Heart is an account of the views of Roy on imperialism, colonialism and Global Injustice, (injustice of any kind in general that has a strong political impact). It's a collection of essays that mirrors her intellectuality and how she traces a pattern that spans the early times to the recent and present struggles that has shaped the political landscape of the world and how it affects every region. She takes a staunch take on the rice of nationalism in India and critiques the majoritarian stake it plays in the current political situation that India now stands in. My Seditious Heart is an interesting read from the perspective of Arundhati Roy and would be a great piece to invest time on, this Women’s Day. 

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    The Doctor and the Saint: The Ambedkar-Gandhi Debate: Caste, Race and Annihilation of Caste

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    One of the most interesting aspects of Indian freedom struggles dawns on the most famous debate between the difference of political ideologies that Gandhi and Ambedkar had. Roy in her book draws parallels to the debate and throws a light on how the difference has a very strong influence on the current Indian political scenario. It might be quite a controversial read for people who are fed the general narrative of biased history, but this book accounts for an alternate narrative one that may force people to unlearn some of the facts and view things in a different light. One might even go as far to say that Arundhati Roy’s inclination towards left politics forms the primary basis of this book, but still stands as a great piece of non fiction read by a renowned female author. 

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    The Shape of the Beast

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    One another piece of fearless writing from one of the best Indian female authors, Arundhati Roy is here to surprise and tell about some of the most concerning realities of recent times. The Shape Of The Beast consists of interviews and is a writing that is deeply political and raises questions on some of the most important institutions that humans are now largely a part of. She goes on to question democracy, the plight of justice and corporate invasion that has led to the displacement of countless. This book is a perspective on the struggles of the suffering that contemporary India’s political state stands on. Arudhati Roy’s voice is strong and resonates with the plight of minorities and those who are highly marginalized. 

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What makes Arundhati Roy’s perspective unique in her portrayal of women?

Roy’s portrayal of women characters (in her fictional writings) or the ones that identify with the said gender identity is often seen to resist the prescribed way of living that suits the conventional societal structure to stand tall and grounded. It is unique in the sense that it follows a deviant narrative that might not sit well with the established powers and challenges authorities, but paves a way for emancipation for the womankind from the clutches of patriarchal and biased societal structures that are okay with women suffering but will not let go of their hold on power at any cost.

Read More: Best Fiction Books To Read: Expand The Horizon Of Imagination

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Faq's

  • Which of Arundhati Roy's books focus specifically on women’s issues?
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    All the writings by Arundhati Roy addresses the plight of struggling women but The God Of Small Things and The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness provides the characters of women fraught with societal restraints and delves deeper into the issues of women.
  • What are some of the main themes in Arundhati Roy’s works that relate to Women’s Day?
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    Roy’s books and writing often talks about issues of gender inequalities, societal oppression, female autonomy, and the intersectionality of gender with other issues such as class, caste, and political strife. These are hence some of the most relatable readings for the occasion of Women’s day.
  • How is The Ministry of Utmost Happiness significant to Women’s Day?
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    The Ministry of Utmost Happiness talks about the struggle of a trans woman named Anjum and her resistance. It is therefore an important and necessary read for Women’s day as it is an inclusive account of gender identity.