Laxmi Hariharan challenges the domination of dystopian western worlds in teen novels, why not a dystopian Asia or Latin America? And how it’s time for the stereotype-busting Angry Young (Indian) Girl to claim centre-stage
One evening, having worked late at the Mumbai-based newspaper where I was then employed, I caught the local train home. What I hadn’t realised was that it was already past the watershed time, when the ladies only compartment turned unisex. So there I was in a corner of that carriage, now crammed to the gills with men. When it was my turn to get off, I swallowed my stomach-churning fear to fight my way through the throng. I emerged onto the train platform with every part of me having been felt up, and promptly burst into tears. My clothes were torn but miraculously my handbag still remained clutched in my folded arms, though it had provided but a measly shield. This was one incident of the many that marked my growing years in the city.
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If you know of other Asian YA dystopian novels (especially ones with kickass girls at the helm) then email childrens.books@theguardian.com or let us know on Twitter, @GdnChildrensBks and @laxmi.
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