I am a naturalized U.S. citizen, which means that, unlike native-born citizens, I had to prove to the U.S. government that I merited citizenship. Bharati Mukherjee bearcitizencitizenship Change image and share on social
I have tried very hard as a novelist to say, 'Novels are about individuals and especially larger than life individuals.' Bharati Mukherjee hardindividuallarge Change image and share on social
Through my fiction, I make mainstream readers see the new Americans as complex human beings, not as just 'The Other.' Bharati Mukherjee americanbeingcomplex Change image and share on social
Mother Teresa's detractors have accused her of overemphasizing Calcuttans' destitution and of coercing conversion from the defenseless. In the context of lost causes, Mother Teresa took on battles she knew she could win. Taken together, it seems to me, the criticisms of her work do not undermine or topple her overall achievement. Bharati Mukherjee accuseachievementbattle share on social
I had never walked on the street alone when I was growing up in Calcutta, up to age 20. I had never handled money. You know, there was always a couple of bodyguards behind me, who took care if I wanted... I needed pencils for school, I needed a notebook, they were the ones who were taking out the money. I was constantly guarded. Bharati Mukherjee agebodyguardcalcutta share on social
I flew into a small airport surrounded by cornfields and pastures, ready to carry out the two commands my father had written out for me the night before I left Calcutta: Spend two years studying creative writing at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, then come back home and marry the bridegroom he selected for me from our caste and class. Bharati Mukherjee airportbackbridegroom share on social
I don't feel the depression the people who are always looking back to the '50s, to 'Father Knows Best' feel. I can see the coming of another glorious era. Bharati Mukherjee 50sbackcome Change image and share on social
As a bookish child in Calcutta, I used to thrill to the adventures of bad girls whose pursuit of happiness swept them outside the bounds of social decency. Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Emma Bovary and Anna Karenina lived large in my imagination. The naughty girls of Hollywood films flirted and knew how to drive. Bharati Mukherjee adventureannabad share on social
Lepers were a common sight all over India and in every part of Calcutta, but extending help beyond dropping a coin or two into their rag-wrapped stumps was not. As a child I was convinced even touching a spot a leper had rubbed against would lead to infection. Bharati Mukherjee calcuttachildcoin share on social
I have to put down roots where I decide to stay. It wasn't enough for me to be an expatriate Indian in Canada. If I can't feel that I can make social, political and emotional commitments to a place, I have to find another place. Bharati Mukherjee canadacommitmentdecide share on social