Arundhati Roy, the Booker Prize-winning author and prominent activist, has discussed how her personal life and writing resonate with universal themes. In an interview, Roy reflected on her novel "The God of Small Things" and how her exploration of her own childhood and relationship with her mother touched readers on a profound level.
"When I was writing it I didn’t think it would touch such a universal chord, you know, because it seemed to me so weird, my childhood and my mother and my life, it was, but of course, everybody has something," Roy stated. She added that many people have told her the book helped them "see their parents as human beings and not just parents."
Roy, known for her outspoken political commentary on issues such as inequality, nationalism, and human rights, gained international recognition in 1997 with her debut novel. Her activism has become as well-known as her fiction, challenging power structures through her writing.
In her latest work, "Mother Mary Comes to Me," Roy delves into her complex relationship with her mother and its impact on her life and creative output. The interview explored her literary journey, her political convictions, and the influences that have shaped her writing.
"The Interview" series features conversations with influential global figures. Roy's interview is part of a collection that includes discussions with Indian youth campaigner Abhijeet Dipke, UNICEF chief Catherine Russell, and author Maggie O’Farrell. The program airs on the BBC World Service and is also available as a podcast on BBC Sounds and other platforms three times a week. Roy's interview was produced by Asmita Nandy and edited by Farhana Haider.