Tomb of Sand - Reading Guide
Discover the inspiration behind Tomb of Sand, a novel that simultaneously confronts the experiences of Partition while re-evaluating what it means to be a mother, a daughter, a woman and a feminist.
An urgent yet engaging protest against the destructive impact of borders, whether between religions, countries or genders. Translated by Daisy Rockwell.
In northern India, an 80-year-old woman slips into a deep depression at the death of her husband, then resurfaces to gain a new lease of life. Her determination to fly in the face of convention confuses her bohemian daughter, who is used to thinking of herself as the more ‘modern’ of the two. To her family’s consternation, Ma then insists on travelling to Pakistan, confronting the unresolved trauma of her teenage experiences of Partition. Despite its serious themes, Geetanjali Shree’s light touch and exuberant wordplay ensures that Tomb of Sand remains constantly playful - and utterly original.
Geetanjali Shree
About the Author
Geetanjali Shree won the International Booker Prize in 2022. She is the author of three novels and several story collections, and her work has been translated into English, French, German, Serbian and Korean.
Daisy Rockwell
About the Translator
Daisy Rockwell is a painter, writer and translator living in Vermont, US.Watch videos
Photos from the ceremony
Geetanjali Shree, winner of the International Booker Prize 2022 for her novel Tomb of Sand
© David Parry/PA
Geetanjali Shree, winner of the International Booker Prize 2022 for her novel Tomb of Sand.
© David Parry/PA
Geetanjali Shree, winner of the International Booker Prize 2022 for her novel Tomb of Sand.
© David Parry/PA
Translator Daisy Rockwell and author Geetanjali Shree, winners of the 2022 International Booker Prize for the novel Tomb of Sand
© David Parry/PA
Daisy Rockwell wins the 2022 International Booker Prize for her translation of Geetanjali Shree’s novel Tomb of Sand
© David Parry/PA
Geetanjali Shree wins the 2022 International Booker Prize for Tomb of Sand
© David Parry/PA
Booker judges Viv Groskop, Petina Gappah, Frank Wynne, Jeremy Tiang and Merve Emre at the 2022 International Booker Prize ceremony
© David Parry/PA
Shortlisted translators David Boyd, Sam Bett, Frances Riddle, Daisy Rockwell, Anton Hur and Damion Searls at the 2022 International Booker Prize Ceremony
© David Parry/PA
Shortlisted authors Bora Chung, Mieko Kawakami, Jon Fosse, Geetanjali Shree and Claudia Piñeiro at the 2022 International Booker Prize Ceremony
© David Parry/PAThis is a luminous novel of India and partition, but one whose spellbinding brio and fierce compassion weaves youth and age, male and female, family and nation into a kaleidoscopic whole
— Frank Wynne, chair of the judges
This is not just about me, the individual. I represent a language and culture and this recognition brings into larger purview the entire world of Hindi literature in particular and Indian literature as a whole.
