New Delhi, June 11, 2024.
TreeShade Books, a leading publishing house in Delhi, proudly announces the launch of Purple Lotus, the acclaimed debut novel by award-winning journalist and author Veena Rao, to Indian readers. Following its triumphant reception in the United States, this compelling narrative is now set to captivate audiences in India. The book has been launched simultaneously across online and offline stores all over India.
Purple Lotus was first published in the U.S. in 2020, where it received notable accolades including the 2021 American Fiction Award. The novel was also a finalist for the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year and the 2021 International Book Awards in both the multicultural and women’s fiction categories. Additionally, it was the winner of the She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP) contest.
The story of Purple Lotus is a profound exploration of personal rebirth and resilience. It follows the life of Tara, an Indian woman who struggles against cultural constraints to discover her true self. Growing up in India, Tara faces neglect and isolation after her parents move to Dubai, leaving her in the care of a troubled uncle. Books become her solace during these formative years.
As an adult, Tara enters an arranged marriage with an Indian-American named Sanjay, who subsequently leaves her alone in India for three years before bringing her to America. Once there, she continues to face emotional and physical isolation, compounded by Sanjay’s lack of affection and frequent absences. Despite familial pressures to remain in her unhappy marriage, Tara begins to forge her own path through newfound friendships and financial independence. Her journey is a poignant testament to the power of love, family, and personal strength.
Reflecting on her experience while writing Purple Lotus,Veena Rao shared, “Writing Purple Lotus was an intensely personal journey for me. I poured my heart into Tara’s story, drawing from the struggles and triumphs that many women face in their quest for identity and independence. I am thrilled to share this story with Indian readers and hope it resonates with them as deeply as it has with readers in the U.S.”
Vikas Misra, Managing Editor, TreeShade Books shared his excitement about the launch, stating, “Veena Rao is an exceptionally talented storyteller with a distinctive voice. As an Indian American author, she offers a profound insight into cultural intricacies, exploring universal themes of identity and human connection through her writing. Purple Lotus is all set to win the hearts of readers in India, just as it has already done in the USA.”
Veena Rao’s evocative storytelling in Purple Lotus has been widely praised for its emotional depth and cultural authenticity, making it a must-read for anyone interested in rich, character-driven narratives. Hailing from India but now calls the Southern United States her home, Veena is the founding editor of NRI Pulse, a popular news publication in Atlanta. She also holds the distinction of being recognized by The Limca Book of Records as the first Indian woman to edit and publish a newspaper outside India. Veena is passionate about promoting South Asian literary voices in the US through her news publication and as a board member of the Traveling South Asian Literary Festival.
