Ken Follett’s half-century of storytelling mirrors the cathedrals he so lovingly reimagines (‘The bishop of romp’, November 2). Follett’s worlds explore power, ambition and the fragile beauty of human creation. Circle of Days, his latest, reaches back to prehistory, reminding us that every moment, like every novel, is both mystery and memory.
Follett’s true legacy lies not merely in rebuilding history, but also in urging readers to reflect on what endures when the fires of time test our most sacred designs.
K. Chidanand Kumar,
On email.
Follett’s dedication to his craft is truly admirable. He brings the past vividly to life. His meticulous research, rigorous fact-checking and detailed outlining make his stories deeply engaging. I still remember being captivated by Eye of the Needle—a true testament to his storytelling brilliance. Here’s to many more masterpieces from him in the years to come!
Praveen Thimmaiah,
On email.
Follett is among the finest writers in the world. Though he faced several setbacks early in his career, his perseverance eventually led him to remarkable success, making him one of the most renowned authors of our time. A true master of the pen, we eagerly await his next book—and hope he visits India again.
Shweta Chaudhary,
On email.
Whether charting the rise of industrial England or the moral upheavals of war, Follett writes with a clarity that resists ornamentation yet never surrenders depth. Each new book of his is a renewed act of ambition.
[Your] coverage is admirably measured, steering clear of hagiography while letting his discipline, imagination and political candour speak for themselves. It is a rare pleasure to encounter a literary retrospective that so deftly balances admiration with insight and storytelling with substance.
Avinashiappan Myilsami,
On email.
At the receiving end
I have seen at least five or six letters in the past few months where readers have lashed out at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (‘Letters’, November 2). Going by their tone, it seems hardly anyone in Kerala likes their chief minister. A friend of mine from Kerala is also constantly critical of him.
It does make one wonder how Vijayan managed to get re-elected in 2021.
Neerja Bhandari,
On email.
Right angle, indeed
The Delhi government’s new initiative is poised to pay dividends in the long run by reviving a culture of collective gatherings for the new generation while also boosting the state’s revenues (‘Right angle’, November 2).
A single-window clearance system for hosting events—along with improved parking, logistics and ease of doing business—could position the capital as a global leader in organising major events. Another welcome outcome would be encouraging young people to step away from their gadgets and engage more in outdoor activities.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Why make an issue?
What’s the big deal if Diwali is declared a week-long celebration and public holiday? After all, there are week-long Christmas and Eid holidays in many parts of the world. Just as Hindus and Muslims celebrate Christmas, and Hindus and Christians join in Eid festivities, there is no reason Muslims and Christians can’t enjoy Diwali, too. No one really minds a festive break—it is only when some people turn it into an issue that it becomes one (‘Schizo-Nation’, November 2).
Gavi Sharma,
On email.
The issue isn’t with having a week-long holiday for Diwali, but with recognising that our country is diverse and cannot be defined by north Indian cultural dominance.
In several southern states, Diwali isn’t celebrated with the same intensity as it is in north India, and that diversity must be respected. It is also unfair to diminish other holidays such as Easter or Labour Day—they, too, hold significance.
Vinay K.,
On email.
Glorifying invaders
It appears that M.J. Akbar has once again attempted to glorify the darker chapters of Mughal history (‘Faithful Aurangzeb relied on many astrologers’, October 26). While judging a book by its cover may be unfair, his liberal use of adjectives to describe Mughal rulers gives the impression of an effort to romanticise tyrants.
Sadly, secularism—already one of the most misused terms in our political discourse—seems to be finding its way into history as well.
Instead of celebrating true visionaries like Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar or Raja Raja Chola of Thanjavur—whose architectural marvels still stand as testaments to their valour—our focus continues to drift towards glorifying those whose legacies disrupted India’s civilisational continuity.
G.V. Prasad,
On email.
India should be careful
India’s recent revival of ties with the Taliban is a walk on a knife’s edge (‘India must engage with more Afghan voices, not just the Taliban’, October 26). The NDA government’s attempt to checkmate a hostile Pakistan by befriending the Taliban—a regime notorious for its oppression of women—appears less than credible.
India must not indulge in the dangerous politics of “the enemy’s enemy is a friend”.
C. Chandrasekaran Bharathi,
On email.
Error
Bansuri Swaraj was wrongly mentioned as Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilisers, Govt of India, in one of THE WEEK Health Summit 2025 promos (Page 47, November 9 issue). Ms Swaraj is a Member of Parliament.
We regret the error.
Editor