Ram Halady's Blog
September 29, 2025
Bangalore in the 1970s
Why did I choose Bangalore, India, as the backdrop for my novel, LAST BENCH? Why in the 1970s?
There are millions of historic novels recounting all-too-familiar stories from Europe and the USA. Why not India? Why not something fresh? What was it like in the 1970s?
Listen to the CHF interview where I explain.
Question 1: Why choose 1970s Bangalore (6min)
YouTube link https://youtu.be/RyeMPPDu6NQ
Let me know what you think by posting your comments here.
There are millions of historic novels recounting all-too-familiar stories from Europe and the USA. Why not India? Why not something fresh? What was it like in the 1970s?
Listen to the CHF interview where I explain.
Question 1: Why choose 1970s Bangalore (6min)
YouTube link https://youtu.be/RyeMPPDu6NQ
Let me know what you think by posting your comments here.
June 4, 2025
Kirkus Review
I am so happy to see the editorial review from Kirkus, for my novel, LAST BENCH. Kirkus is one of the 5 TOP reviewers Librarians, Book Clubs, and School Teachers look for. Here is the highlight and the link.
“an exceedingly sentimental tale in many respects… manages to avoid despair masquerading as profundity, or facile, manufactured triumph—and it does it all while also telling a deeply beguiling story about a memorable protagonist. Overall, it’s an impressively layered novel that’s as intelligent as it is charming.
A thoughtful novel that’s moving and entertaining, by turns.”
— Kirkus Reviews
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
“an exceedingly sentimental tale in many respects… manages to avoid despair masquerading as profundity, or facile, manufactured triumph—and it does it all while also telling a deeply beguiling story about a memorable protagonist. Overall, it’s an impressively layered novel that’s as intelligent as it is charming.
A thoughtful novel that’s moving and entertaining, by turns.”
— Kirkus Reviews
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
