Scoop-wallah: Life on a Delhi Daily - Softcover

Hardy, Justine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0719561485 ISBN 13: 9780719561481

Publisher: John Murray, 2000

Synopsis

Challenged by a Kashmiri greengrocer in South Kensington, journalist Justine Hardy went to work for The Indian Express in New Delhi. This is an idiosyncratic, funny and sad tale about writing as an outsider on the inside of a country where the newspapers are still printed on hot-metal machines and deadlines are missed because of cows at rush hour. India's clash of past and present continues to wrong-foot Justine as she tries to get her story in order.

About this title

Review:

Though born and educated in England, Justine Hardy spends more time thinking of India than of her home. "When I cannot sleep in London I have waking dreams peopled by the characters who inhabit my life in Delhi, and I get up and write about them". So when an Indian shopkeeper in a South Kensington greengrocer complains to Justine about the inaccurate and irresponsible coverage of India in the world's press, the journalist is inspired to go out there and write. Following a brief exchange of letters with a certain Mr Bhattacharyya, Justine heads for New Delhi to begin work for the Indian Express.

To Western eyes, Indian newspapers have an antique look about them. Text is printed in classical fonts packed tightly almost to the point of illegibility while hazy photographs show politicians in traditional dress. The features section, on the other hand, is an "explosion of Western fashion spreads, over-coloured recipe pictures, and those perennial lifestyle tales of what the rich and nearly famous eat for breakfast". Justine writes with a warm, gentle humour, focusing firmly on her subject while allowing the warmth of her own personality to shine through. --Daren King

Review:

`With both humour and pathos this true-life account tells the story of one British journalist's extraordinary experiences after taking a job on a daily newspaper in Delhi.' Daily Mail; `A brilliantly observed, often amusing and sometimes tragic account of a country where the Imperial structure is now a distant memory as it struggles to reinvent itself for the modern world.' Geographical Magazine; `A distinctive voice informed by intelligence, sensitivity and a generous spirit.' Sara Wheeler, Daily Telegraph; `Tremendously funny and evocative'. Nicholas Coleridge; `Justine Hardy has produced something more than the usual besotted travelogue. . . it is full of Dickensian detail and hilarious dialogue.' Guardian; `A funny, fresh and occasionally sad take on a country that no one - not even the lapsed princes and commissioning editors - is really going to understand.' Independent.

About this edition

• Publisher: John Murray
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0719561485
• ISBN 13: 9780719561481
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272