Arundhati Roy’s 2025: From Personal Revelations to Political Resistance

A New Chapter in Roy’s Literary Journey

September 2025 marks a significant milestone in Arundhati Roy’s career with the publication of ‘Mother Mary Comes to Me’, her first memoir focusing on her early years living with her mother.

Published by Hamish Hamilton, an imprint of Penguin Random House, the memoir explores Roy’s complex relationship with her mother, as she attempts to understand her feelings about ‘the mother she ran from at age 18.’ The book traces her journey from Kerala to Delhi, combining difficult truths with unexpected wit.

Ongoing Activism and Controversies

Roy, 63, remains one of India’s most famous living authors, though her writing and activism, particularly her criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, have made her a polarizing figure. Her work has recently faced new challenges, with one of her books among 25 titles banned in Kashmir.

Known globally as a novelist, essayist, and activist, Roy continues to face both admiration and criticism. In India, where the current regime supports Hindu supremacy, she faces legal challenges and social media attacks, yet continues to write and speak out, challenging the government, legal system, and culture while supporting marginalized communities in their struggles for liberation.

Literary Legacy and Current Impact

Roy’s books span decades and capture India’s transformation over time. Her political essays have influenced a generation of young Indian writers to think critically, with her work on India’s nuclear policies being described as ‘not so much written as breathed out in a stream of fire.’

As a political activist involved in human rights and environmental causes, Roy has spent most of her time since publishing ‘The God of Small Things’ in 1997 focusing on political activism and nonfiction. She serves as a spokesperson of the anti-globalization movement and remains a vocal critic of neo-imperialism and U.S. foreign policy.

Looking Forward

Roy continues to engage with her audience through various platforms, with an upcoming appearance scheduled at Seattle Arts and Lectures on September 18, where both in-person and online tickets are available. This engagement demonstrates her ongoing commitment to public discourse and social change.