Author Profile: Karan Mahajan on South Asian Social Commentary and the Immigrant Experience

Karan Mahajan, author of the novels 'Family Planning' and 'The Association of Small Bombs,' spoke about his focus on South Asian social commentary and the immigrant experience. His works often delve into the complexities of identity, politics, and belonging for South Asians in the United States.

Mahajan's first novel, 'Family Planning,' was a finalist for the Dylan Thomas Prize and the International Dublin Literary Award. His second novel, 'The Association of Small Bombs,' was a finalist for the National Book Award in fiction and won the 2017 New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award.

In his writing, Mahajan examines how South Asian characters navigate cultural expectations, political turmoil, and personal aspirations. He noted that his stories often emerge from observing the intersections of private lives with larger social and political forces.

Mahajan currently lives in Austin, Texas, where he continues to write and contribute to publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Guardian. He remains engaged with themes of diaspora, migration, and the evolving landscape of South Asian identity in America.