Narcopolis, Paperback/Jeet Thayil

Paperback edition of the Man Booker Prize shortlisted novel set around a Bombay opium den over 3 decades. Based in part on the author's own experiences, it has a cast of pimps, pushers, poets, gangsters and eunuchs. Thayil was born in Kerala and is a poet, songwriter and guitarist as well as a writer. 'A blistering debut that can indeed stand proudly on the shelf next to Burroughs and De Quincey.' }Guardian{