Rohinton Mistry CM (born 1952) is a Canadian writer of Indian origin who has garnered numerous awards, notably the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2012. His initial three novels were all Booker Prize finalists. Mistry's works predominantly revolve around life in India, focusing on Parsi communities and delving into themes like family dynamics, poverty, discrimination, and social corruption.

Early Life and Education

Rohinton Mistry, born into a Parsi family in Bombay, India, in 1952, later earned a BA in Mathematics and Economics from St. Xavier's College, Bombay.
In 1975, he immigrated to Canada with his future wife, Freny Elavia, and pursued further studies, attaining a BA in English and Philosophy from the University of Toronto.

Career

This section requires updating to reflect recent developments (October 2021).

During his time at the University of Toronto (Woodsworth College), Mistry made literary waves by clinching two Hart House literary prizes and the Canadian Fiction Magazine's annual Contributor's Prize for 1985.

His debut publication, Tales from Firozsha Baag (1987), later reissued as Swimming Lessons and Other Stories from Firozsha Baag, showcases eleven tales set in a modern-day Bombay apartment complex, with the acclaimed story "Swimming Lessons".

His second work, the novel Such a Long Journey (1991), earned him numerous accolades including the Governor General's Award, the Commonwealth Writers Prize, and the W.H. Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award.

A Fine Balance (1995), his third book, secured the Giller Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction, among others, and was an Oprah's Book Club selection in 2001.

Family Matters (2002) and The Scream (2008) further solidified his literary presence, with the former addressing aging issues.

In 2002, Mistry called off his US book tour due to recurring airport security issues targeting him and his wife.

Awards and Recognition

1983–1985: Hart House Literary Contest and Canadian Fiction Magazine Annual Contributors' Prize
1991: Booker Prize shortlist, Governor General's Award, Commonwealth Writers Prize, W.H. Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award, Trillium Award for Such a Long Journey
1995–1996: Giller Prize, Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction, Commonwealth Writers Prize, Booker Prize shortlist for A Fine Balance
2002: Booker Prize shortlist, James Tait Black Memorial Prize shortlist, International Dublin Literary Award shortlist for Family Matters
2012: Neustadt International Prize for Literature
2015: Member of the Order of Canada

Selected Works

Novels

Such a Long Journey (1991)
A Fine Balance (1995)
Family Matters (2002)

Short Stories and Chapbooks

Tales from Firozsha Baag (1987), also published as Swimming Lessons and Other Stories from Firozsha Baag (1989)
Searching for Stevenson (1994)
The Scream (2006)