Rohinton Mistry was born in Bombay, India in 1952 and immigrated to Canada in 1975 where he took employment working for a Toronto bank. After completing one year at York University, he transferred to the University of Toronto where he completed his B.A. as well beginning his career as a writer winning two Hart House literary prizes in 1983 and 1984 respectively and Canadian Fiction Magazine's annual Contributor's Prize in 1985 for his short stories. In 1987, Mistry's first book, a collection of short stories entitled T ales from Firozsha Baag, was published by Penguin Books Canada. In 1991, his first novel, Such a Long Journey, was published and earned him critical praise in both Canada and elsewhere in the world. It won the Governor's General's Award, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book and the W.H. Smith / Books in Canada First Novel Award as well as being short listed for the Booker Prize and the Trillium Award. It was adapted for film by Sooni Tarapoevala, directed by Sturla Gunnarsson and released as a major motion picture in 1999. His 1995 novel A Fine Balance continued to earn Mistry international acclaim. In addition to winning the Giller Prize and the Commonwealth Writers Award, it also won the Los Angeles Times Book Award, the IMPAC. Dublin Literary Award and was given an award by the Danish Literature Council. It was also short listed for the Booker Prize. Rohinton Mistry's books have been widely translated. He currently lives in Toronto where he is working on a novel.
Fonds consists of notes, drafts, proofs and cover art for his books T ales from Firozsha Baag, Such a Long Journey and A Fine Balance ; screenplay, production files, correspondence and promotional material for the film adaptation of Such a Long Journey ; correspondence, invitations, travel schedules, clippings and promotional material related to reading tours and to the publishing of his works as well as pertaining to the awards he received for his books ; personal and professional correspondence including copies of letters received by Mistry from Leone Rook, John Metcalfe, Graeme Gibson, Alberto Manguel, Craig Stephenson, John Irving, Jane and Tony Urquhart, Pico Iyer, Louis de Berniers, Mavis Gallant, Greg Hollingshead, Michael Ondaatje, Greg Gatenby, David Staines and Steven Heighton among others and, in many cases, copies of letters written by Mistry himself.
Finding aid available.
Some restrictions may apply.
Inventory number: F0180