Devdas
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay · 1876–1938 · India (Bengal)
Originally Devdas (Bengali)
Why it matters
A wealthy young man spirals into self-destruction after losing his childhood love to social convention. Bengal's most beloved tragic romance, adapted into film more times than perhaps any other South Asian story.
At a glance
romancetragedy
Difficulty 2/10fast pace116 pagesShort, melodramatic, and linear; an easy, emotionally direct read.
Where to go next
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