What strikes almost immediately about the New Delhi-based German writer Roswitha Joshi is her spontaneity and that grit to be frank and outspoken and straightforward. Perhaps, a rarity in the times we are destined to be living in. Roswitha’s latest book carries an entire range. Much in keeping with the very title, it carries tragedies as well as comedies, intense grief-stricken situations as well as those along the lighter-brighter side to everyday life. A book review by Humra Quraishi
What strikes almost immediately about the New Delhi-based German writer Roswitha Joshi is her spontaneity and that grit to be frank and outspoken and straightforward. Perhaps, a rarity in the times we are destined to be living in. And that’s why these qualities do leave a definite impression.
Needless for me to focus on the fact that her writings do carry those imprints to her personality. Writ large it gets, as one reads her novels, short stories, verse and those long and short essays.
In fact, I’m just back from the launch of her latest book of essays and verse, titled, Spaced Out- A Cross- Cultural Cocktail. Before I focus on the book, I must say that it was one of those best launches I have attended in these recent months. Hosted by the Austrian ambassador to India, Katharina Wieser, at the Austrian Embassy, there were none of the formal speeches but a lovely informal launch followed by lots to eat and talk about!
Getting back to Roswitha’s latest book, it carries an entire range. Much in keeping with the very title, it carries tragedies as well as comedies, intense grief-stricken situations as well as those along the lighter-brighter side to everyday life.
I have been particularly impressed with her essays which seem to be plucked out of real life situations and experiences. Not to be overlooked the fact that Roswitha has been a witness to a whole range of situations, with definite backgrounders to them. She was born and brought up in Hamburg. And its during her studies of Political Science and History at the Hamburg University, she met and tied the knot with a doctoral candidate from India. And with that she moved to India, settling down here with her husband, raising their two children. She’d earlier worked at the German Embassy here in New Delhi, but then took to full–time writing.
What’s kept her going strong amidst the various situations and challenges is her determination to carry on. Living her “own adventure story” with “humour, wit, and grit as survival tools.”
