UPSC Prelims 2007 Q28: Art & Culture – Cultural Institutions & Awards
For which one of the following books did Kiran Desai win the Man Booker Prize 2006?
- (a) The Secret River
- (b) In the Country of Men
- (c) The Inheritance of Loss
- (d) Mother's Milk
Answer: (c) The Inheritance of Loss
Explanation
Kiran Desai's 2006 Man Booker Prize
| Book | By Desai? |
|---|---|
| The Secret River | No — Kate Grenville |
| In the Country of Men | No — Hisham Matar |
| The Inheritance of Loss | Yes — won 2006 Man Booker Prize |
| Mother's Milk | No — Edward St Aubyn |
Kiran Desai won the 2006 Man Booker Prize for her novel The Inheritance of Loss, a story spanning Kalimpong (India) and New York, exploring themes of globalisation, colonialism, and displacement.
Answer: (c) The Inheritance of Loss.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Secret River is a different author's (Kate Grenville's) novel.
- (b) Incorrect. In the Country of Men is Hisham Matar's novel, not Desai's.
- (c) CORRECT. The Inheritance of Loss won Kiran Desai the 2006 Man Booker Prize.
- (d) Incorrect. Mother's Milk is Edward St Aubyn's novel, not Desai's.
Key point
Kiran Desai won the 2006 Man Booker Prize for "The Inheritance of Loss".
Remember
Kiran Desai's 2006 Man Booker Prize-winning novel: The Inheritance of Loss.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Kiran Desai's winning novel with other 2006 Booker shortlisted titles.
- Mixing up Kiran Desai with her mother, Anita Desai, also a noted author.
- Not recalling the exact novel title, confusing it with other India-diaspora themed books.
Exam tip
Kiran Desai + 2006 Booker = The Inheritance of Loss (Kalimpong/New York story).
Sources
- The Booker Prize Foundation — 2006 winner: The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
- Kiran Desai — The Inheritance of Loss (Hamish Hamilton, 2006)