Despite the insights on offer, one can’t help but feel a sense of datedness about the collection. The earliest of these essays was written 14 years ago, and when it comes to Indian writing in English, much has changed. Yes, Midnight’s Children did cast a gigantic — and well-deserved — shadow, but those who came after Rushdie have by now emerged in their own light, with Vikram Chandra and Amitav Ghosh being merely two examples.
However, the triumphalism referred to earlier is clearly on the ascendant, not just in the discourse of fiction but in every other sphere, be it economic performance or Olympic medals. It’s in this context that Clearing A Space is a necessary reminder of the worth of alternative ways of seeing and relating.