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The author's debut novel “Last Bench” is a quest of self-discovery that finds its voice in an endearing coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of Bangalore in the '70s.
“Libraries have plenty of choices when it comes to teen coming-of-age novels, but Last Bench stands out from the crowd with its vivid portrait of Indian culture and young adults who face daunting limitations and possibilities in their lives and family ties… filled with social, cultural, and psychological insights… a notable read that ideally should be on the reading lists.”
– Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review
Please tell us about your background and what encouraged you to be a writer.
I am from a large extended family of 7 siblings, several aunts, 1 uncle, grandparents, and 2 dogs. My mom was the anchor in our family, whose sacrifices made everything possible; My debut novel, LAST BENCH, is dedicated to her.
Despite lacking many things, my parents made sure we got two things to make up for the rest: Love and Education. My Dad, an English professor, had a large collection of books. We discovered that treasure in the summer of 1970, and I got hooked on reading forever. I always believed that reading and writing go hand-in-hand, although I was a late bloomer when it came to writing. When I retired, I thought of turning my knack for telling stories into a spotlight on the sense of community and capturing the essence of India in the 1970s.
What was the original spark that provided the inspiration for this book?
One day, I wondered what happens to the people who are not so bright and usually sit on the last bench in a classroom, and how they move on with their lives. So, I set my protagonist as an intelligent student who doesn’t want others to know that he is smart, and prefers to sit on the last bench with his friends—the students on the last bench work towards the first bench, which symbolizes the best in class. In fact, my working title was First Bench. Somewhere along the way, my focus changed, and I decided to celebrate the people from the last bench who nevertheless become successful even when they are not academically brilliant. That set me to exploring the core values we cherish and what makes a person special: Friendship, Commitment, Resilience …
Which character or aspect of the book do you most closely identify with and why?
When you come from a very modest background, the valuable currency you have is Integrity. I identified with Vikki, the protagonist, for that reason and for his steadfast commitment to keep his promises, even when it was almost impossible to do so in the face of insurmountable challenges.
Several themes are explored – self-identity, family, friendship, and the impact of societal expectations. What theme was most important to you to convey effectively?
Self-identity was most important for me, as it is the foundation for coming of age. It means finding your own core values through trial and error, rather than accepting pre-packaged beliefs. You'll make mistakes and lose your innocence along the way, landing somewhere in the 'gray' area of life. However, that space is still a good place to be; it means you've learned who you are and have built a set of morals and ethics you're actually proud to stand by.
How long did it take to write this novel?
It took me six weeks to write a 'skeleton' draft and a full year to finish the book. It was exhilarating to discover I could write, especially since I don't have a background in journalism or literature. I was fortunate to have the support of my family and friends, who cheered me on every step of the way.
I still get a kick out of admitting that my grammar was initially so poor that my wife, Jeanne, refused to read more than the first two pages of that crude first draft! She did read it eventually, after several rounds of edits, and suggested I change the ending from a tragedy to a happy one—a piece of advice I’m very glad I took.
What was the most challenging part of writing this book, and what did you learn from it?
The most challenging part was getting into my characters' heads. I hit a wall until I stopped writing from my own POV and let the characters take over. I realized my real job wasn't to direct them, but to let them inhabit me and tell their own stories.
Is there a particular scene or passage you are incredibly proud of?
There are so many scenes I love in this book. If I have to identify one moving scene without revealing too much of the story, it is when Vikki offers to find work to pay for his friend Sekar's sister's wedding, hoping to keep Sekar in school. He views Sekar’s father as his own, but when the father says, “You are like a son to me, but I couldn’t take money from you. It is Sekar’s decision to help me or not, not yours,” Vikki is forced to acknowledge a harsh reality. He realizes that despite their closeness, he will never truly be a member of their family—he will always remain a close outsider.
What do you hope readers will experience from reading your novel?
I hope readers will appreciate India's culture and values and view them as not much different from their own. The key takeaway, I hope, is that beneath the different ways people express themselves through their actions, we are all the same. We want the same things — to better ourselves and help those around us for a better future for all.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I was told that everyone writes their first novel from the heart. And then they learn the trade to become a better writer. That has been true with me. I used to call myself the Accidental Writer. Now I look at books differently and pick up on wonderful techniques that skilled writers use. As I write my second novel, I hope that my learnings show in my work, while preserving my individual style.
As a reader yourself, what authors, books, or ideas have most influenced you?
I like reading novels with moral dilemmas. Some authors stand out.
- Graham Greene – one can begin telling a story from anywhere.
- Earnest Hemingway – simpler style and showing that all rules are meant to be broken.
- John Le Carre – for siding with the common man as opposed to nations and ideologies.
- Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan, Thrity Umrigar, Abraham Verghese… I could go on and on.
What is the best advice you have received as a writer?
I received many dos and don'ts in the last couple of years. I don’t care much about structure or plotting. I don’t like writing in a genre. I love the freedom in writing Fiction and the many ways to experiment with styles and techniques. The best advice I have received is to be yourself. I remember my dad telling me: If you don’t have something interesting, unique, and important to say, spare the words.
Would you like to share what you are working on next?
My next novel is a bit more ambitious. Spanning across India and America in the 60s through the 80s, it explores the internal and external struggles of immigrants and what it takes to establish oneself in a different culture. I use two characters: one American woman in Bangalore and an Indian man in Chicago, whose lives are intertwined. Can they hope to be accepted with their core beliefs intact? Or will the expectations prove to be too great a challenge for their conscience?
