"Loot" by Tania James, with a chat about the power of play
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In this episode of the Acknowledgements podcast, host Nutan Rubinson sits down and chats with author Tania James to dig into her uniquely-themed book "Loot," a historical fiction, a heist novel, a romance, and a story about colonialism and artistic growth.
The story is set in 18th century South India and follows a young wood carver named Abbas who is tasked with creating a mechanical tiger as a gift for the ruler's sons. The tiger, known as Tipu's Tiger, is eventually stolen by British forces, leading Abbas on a journey to retrieve it and fulfill his dream of becoming a great artist.
In her acknowledgments, Tania discusses the influence of her family, particularly her father's broad curiosity and her mother's support, on her writing journey. She reflects on her childhood imagination and playfulness, comparing it to the wonder and creativity of children at play.
Tania looks into how her role as an associate professor of English influenced her writing process, and how she finds inspiration in the works she teaches and the discussions with her students.
19 episodes