Contents
Rohinton Mistry
Writing A Fine Balance, an expansive novel about ordinary lives during India’s Emergency.
Such a Long Journey · A Fine Balance
- Born
- 3 July 1952
- Birthplace
- Mumbai, India
More people
Rohinton Mistry
Rohinton Mistry is an Indian-born Canadian writer whose fiction follows families and communities under social and political pressure. Each of his three novels was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Early life
Bombay childhood
Grew up in a Parsi family; his brother Cyrus also became a writer.
Two educations
Studied mathematics and economics in Bombay, then English and philosophy in Toronto.
Career
- 1975
Canada
Emigrated and worked in a bank while pursuing further study.
- 1980s
Short fiction
Won writing prizes and published Tales from Firozsha Baag.
- 1991–2002
Three novels
Published successive Booker-shortlisted novels.
- 2012
Neustadt Prize
Received the international award for his literary work.
Selected work
Such a Long Journey
Family and political uncertainty in Bombay.
A Fine Balance
Four lives intersect during the Emergency.
Family Matters
A Parsi family faces ageing, obligation and conflict.
Beyond work
Family
Moved to Canada with Freny Elavia, whom he married.
Music
Played guitar and harmonica and performed folk songs before becoming a novelist.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Interview and personal background ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.