Shashi Deshpande's that Long Silence: Critical Studies (Hardbound - 2023)

The book critically examines Shashi Deshpande’s award-winning novel, That Long Silence (1988), which is usually regarded as a feminist text of immense power and appeal. As a collection of critical essays, the book sheds sufficient light on various aspects of Deshpande’s art and mind as specially reflected in That Long Silence. It consists of eight essays by as many hands, a brief write-up by Deshpande (in the form of an appendix), and two more appendices by the present editor. Those who have contributed to this book, apart from the editor and Deshpande, include Sanjay Saksena, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Veena Dwivedi, Sanjana Shamsherry, Sthitaprajana, Monika Mathur, Minakshi Lahkar, and Roopali. These scholars have variously interpreted and evaluated That Long Silence, adding significantly to its proper understanding and appreciation. It is, however, improper to read the novel as an autobiography. There are strong evidences to show that it is a faithful mirror of life, raising as it does, “the Woman Question” in a forceful voice. It deals with the raging problems of womankind, with its anguish and dilemma, and the protagonist Jaya is just a representative of the struggling womankind in a patriarchal set-up.

The book will be useful for the students and teachers of English literature, particularly Indian English literature and researchers in these fields.

Amar Nath Dwivedi is a Senior Professor of English who retired from the University of Allahabad, Allahabad (India) a few years ago. After his retirement, he joined the U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University at Allahabad as a Senior Consultant in English and then proceeded to the Republic of Yemen on an official assignment as Professor & Chairman, Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Education, Taiz University at Al­Turba, Taiz. On his return to India in 2010, he taught English literature at the University of Allahabad as a Guest Faculty till February 2016. Now, Dr. Dwivedi is engaged in his multiple writing projects.

Dr. Dwivedi is a well-known critic and poet in English. He edits The Journal of Contemporary Literature (Allahabad; a peer-reviewed international journal; U.G.C. approved).

Dr. Dwivedi is listed in the International Who’s Who (in “Men of Achievement” and “Register of Intellectuals”) of Cambridge, U.K.; Book of Honor, A.B.I. Inc. of Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A.; and in the International Who’s Who of Contemporary Achievement of Cambridgeshire, England. He also appears in the biographical Directories of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. In 2011, the International Poets’ Academy, Chennai (T.N.) honoured him with Lifetime Achievement Award.