Arrange the following novels in the chronological order of their publication:

(A) The White Tiger
(B) A Tiger for Malgudi
(C) A Suitable Boy
(D) Heat and Dust

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

Explanation:

Novels based on their publication years:
Heat and Dust (D) - 1975 → First published in 1975, this novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is the earliest among the four.
A Tiger for Malgudi (B) - 1983 → Written by R.K. Narayan, this novel was published in 1983.
A Suitable Boy (C) - 1993 → Vikram Seth’s epic novel was published in 1993.
The White Tiger (A) - 2008 → Aravind Adiga’s debut novel came out in 2008, making it the most recent.
Thus, the correct chronological order is (D), (B), (C), (A).

 Information Booster:
1. Heat and Dust (1975) - Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: The novel explores colonial and post-colonial India through two interwoven narratives, one set in the 1920s and another in the 1970s.
Recognition: Won the Booker Prize in 1975.

2. A Tiger for Malgudi (1983) - R.K. Narayan
Genre: Fiction, Allegorical Novel
Plot: Narrates the story of a tiger in the fictional town of Malgudi and its encounters with humans, particularly a spiritual guru.
Significance: One of the last works of Narayan, exploring themes of spirituality and coexistence.

3. A Suitable Boy (1993) - Vikram Seth
Genre: Family Saga, Historical Fiction
Plot: A sprawling novel set in post-independence India, revolving around a young woman’s quest for a suitable husband, while portraying India’s social and political landscape.
Notable Aspects: One of the longest English novels ever published (~1,500 pages).

4. The White Tiger (2008) - Aravind Adiga
Genre: Psychological Fiction, Social Critique
Plot: The story of Balram Halwai, a poor Indian man who rises from poverty to become a successful entrepreneur, showcasing class struggles and corruption in modern India.
Recognition: Won the Man Booker Prize in 2008.