"K. D. Verma's Understanding Mulk Raj Anand: His Mind and Art is an intelligent and penetrating study of Anand’s thought and aesthetics, one that releases him, finally, from Gandhianism / Communism binary that had long arrested his full appreciation. Setting up his author in a modernist / postcolonial context, Kamal Verma at once alters the perspective of Mulk Raj Anand’s achievement—literary and critical—illuminating the murky areas thus far hidden from view. Understanding Mulk Raj Anand, a persuasive and immensely readable book, is destined to spark off revaluations of Anand’s famous contemporaries, Raja Rao and R. K. Narayan, as well. A true contribution to the understanding of Indian English fiction."  — Pradyumna S. Chauhan, Prof English & Editor, South Asian Review, Arcadia University

"Understanding Mulk Raj Anand is a ground breaking work. By placing Anand’s fiction in a broad sociohistorical context, Verma has ruffled feathers of those who wish us to believe that little new remains to be said about this author. It is a very timely book that opens up new vistas and one certainly to become forerunner of studies of Anand yet to come. Indeed, this slim volume is a boon to research students."  — Saros Cowasjee, Professor Emeritus of English, University of Regina

"K. D. Verma, longtime editor of the indispensable South Asian Review, has written an indispensable book. Understanding Mulk Raj Anand: His Mind and Art is a magisterial synthesis of Professor Verma’s three decades of scholarship on almost every aspect of Anand’s work. It offers a comprehensive view of Anand as a novelist, autobiographer, philosopher, art critic, and activist. No contemporary critic in India or elsewhere knows Anand’s work better than Kamal Verma. His book not only includes essays on Anand’s literary and aesthetic achievements but also an invaluably candid interview with Anand, and a unique collection of Anand’s living and revealing letters to the author. Understanding Mulk Raj Anand is an essential reading for anyone seeking to understand 20th century Indian writing."  — Judith Plotz, Professor Emerita of English, George Washington University

"Shedding new light on the life and work of Mulk Raj Anand, Verma’s study will spur new interest and scholarship. It is clearly the most important contribution to Anand studies in the last ten-fifteen years."  — Makarand R. Paranjape, Professor of English, Jawaharlal Nehru University

"Splendidly conceived, Verma's book is an intellectual engagement with Mulk Raj Anand, the man and the revolutionary writer. Engaging and humane, it is firmly grounded in critical theory both in historical and political terms. Vividly detailed in presenting Anand, the study refrains from being exhaustive or reductive. A brilliant study of one of India’s foremost writers, it will have a deep impact on the future of Indian writing in English."  — Rumina Sethi, Professor and Chair of English & Editor, Dialog, Panjab University

"K. D. Verma has shown unparalleled insights into the postmodern / postcolonial vision of Mulk Raj Anand that highlights the notions of social justice, political fairness and educational parity for all. The breadth and depth of Verma’s treatment, in the large context of critical traditions and the corpus of literary and cultural references, is not found anywhere in critical assessment of Anand’s works. The analysis of Anand’s selected novels and works on aesthetics is remarkably comprehensive and richly rewarding."  — Inder Nath Kher, Professor Emeritus of English, The University of Calgary

"Professor K. D. Verma’s book on Mulk Raj Anand presents a refreshingly new approach to a much loved author. The point about the Untouchable being much more than a story set in the Indian caste system of a certain time is convincingly argued. Moreover. Anand’s writing in the pre-1945 and post-1945 periods opens up possibilities for research on Nehru and Gandhi in relation to Anand’s fictional depictions. The legacy of colonialism in independent India is contextualized within the larger arena of humanitarianism that was primary for Anand. K. D. Verma’s sharp vision, deep research and personal correspondence with Anand reveal unexpected readings of classic texts and introduce valuable new material."  — Malashri Lal, Professor of English, Delhi University