Gurnaik Johal's novel, Saraswati, follows his successful debut collection We Move, which defied literary conventions. Saraswati immerses readers in the narrative style of contemporary connection novels that span multiple countries and time periods, tackling significant global issues. These novels, characterized by a broad cast of characters from privileged backgrounds, deviate from typical urban themes. Instead, they construct an intricate puzzle of narratives that reveal interconnected societal structures, reminiscent of the works of authors like DeLillo and Pynchon. However, the genre remains male-dominated and lacks the playful nuance of its predecessors.
Gurnaik Johal's first book, We Move, showcased how a talented young writer could successfully navigate literature by breaking traditional conventions, particularly those regarding storytelling and subject matter.
Johal’s first novel, Saraswati, follows the trend of 21st-century connection novels, which blur geographical and temporal boundaries, and explore contemporary issues through diverse narratives.
Connection novels involve multiple narratives across various locations and eras, addressing global themes without relying on traditional urban societal examinations, resembling jigsaw puzzles for readers.
This genre, recognized by its absence of a specific name, mirrors patterns from historical literary works while lacking the distinct playfulness found in prior generations of authors.
Collection
[
|
...
]