This March, we list a collection of bold new voices who are bringing powerful, diverse, and thought-provoking stories to the forefront of contemporary literature. From poignant reflections on the intersectionality of disability and identity to stirring explorations of queer narratives and poetry from Arunachal Pradesh, these works are reshaping the literary landscape.
Shaka Isawa, born with a congenital muscle disorder, has severe spine curvature and relies on an electric wheelchair and ventilator. Confined to a care home, she lives online—studying, tweeting passionately, and posting provocative stories on an erotica website. When a new male carer reveals he’s read everything, including her explicit content, her response is an indecent proposal. Written by the first disabled author to win Japan’s top literary award, Hunchback offers a gripping, unflinching exploration of desire and darkness from the edge of society, instantly hailed as one of the most significant Japanese novels of the 21st century.
Tales From the Dawn-Lit Mountains by Subi Taba
This debut collection explores the captivating folklore of Arunachal Pradesh, shedding light on its rich cultural traditions, animistic beliefs, and the blend of magic and reality in its isolated communities. Through evocative tales of headhunters, haunted villages, and sacred rituals, it offers a rare glimpse into one of India's most mysterious regions while highlighting the urgent need to preserve the fading indigenous practices and spiritual beliefs of Arunachal's ethnic communities.
Tilt by Emma Pattee
Tilt follows Annie, nine months pregnant, as she shops for a crib at IKEA when the long-anticipated Cascadia Earthquake strikes, tearing apart Portland and the Pacific Northwest in minutes. With the world crumbling around her, Annie must navigate her way back to her husband, whom she’s long been distancing herself from, while grappling with unfulfilled dreams and the inevitability of life’s chaos. A gripping and darkly humorous exploration of crisis, relationships, and survival, Tilt immerses readers in a vivid, emotional journey as Annie faces both the literal and figurative aftershocks of her life.
Luminous by Silvia Park
In a near-future Korea, robots have seamlessly integrated into society, taking on roles from housekeepers to teachers, and even lovers and children. Siblings Jun and Morgan Cho, estranged for years, still mourn the loss of their brother Yoyo, the first humanoid robot prototype. When a mysterious disappearance reunites them, the investigation forces them to confront their broken past and leads them back to Yoyo. Luminous is a captivating debut that blends thrilling suspense with a poignant exploration of sibling bonds.
The Expert of Subtle Revisions by Kirsten Menger-Anderson
Kirsten Menger-Anderson’s novel weaves together these two stories, spanning decades and exploring how the past can eerily reflect the future, as secrets are uncovered and history hangs in the balance. A young woman in 2016 waits for her father’s sailboat, but he never arrives as promised. Left with cryptic instructions, she embarks on a journey that leads her to a library in Berkeley, where she uncovers more questions than answers. Meanwhile, in 1933 Vienna, a young mathematician joins a group of intellectuals facing rising fascism and political unrest. Amid the chaos, rumors of a time-traveling machine circulate, with only a few knowing the truth.
Words Platform Desk
Date 12.03.2025