September 03, 2007

Writer Nalini Jones '93 receives praise for "What You Call Winter"

The September 2 edition of the Ridgefield Press includes an interesting and well-written profile of writer Nalini Jones ‘93. Jones wrote What You Call Winter, a collection of short stories just published by Knopf on August 17. According to the article, “each story in the collection is linked to Santa Clara, a fictional Catholic suburb of Mumbai, India, loosely based on Ms. Jones’s treks to visit family in India.”

The article notes that the collection has been warmly received:

Publisher’s Weekly described it as an “auspicious debut” and says Ms. Jones “displays impressive scope and depth of sympathy.” Elle says, “Jones turns phrases with a lyrical lilt that taps into our deepest feelings about family.” The San Francisco Chronicle wrote last week, “There is no doubt that Jones is a skilled writer, which is reflected in her handling of character as well as her prose.” John Casey, winner of the National Book Award, said, “I love this book.”

The article also provides a snapshot of Jones’ development as a writer, from working at a local newspaper in high school through her graduate studies at Columbia, her fellowship at the MacDowell Colony and her experiences teaching high school and college students.

There is also a brief mention of former Amherst writer-in-residence Caryl Phillips, for whom Jones worked as a research assistant while at Amherst.

Still, every time she chases an idea with words, Ms. Jones feels an aftershock of fiction author Caryl Phillips’ words: “Don’t bother writing unless you have something to say — writing is too hard to do well unless it’s born of great passion and urgency.”

Dave Nardolillo '98 | September 3, 2007 04:24 PM | Alumni

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