Journalist-author Jerry Pinto has bagged The Hindu Literary Prize 2013 for the novel Em and the Big Hoom .

The book (Aleph Book Co), which is Pinto’s first work of fiction and is set in Mahim, Bombay, revolves around how a four-member family copes with the mother’s manic depressive condition and her suicidal ideation.

Others in the final round of contention for the prestigious prize were the Man Booker Prize shortlisted author Jeet Thayil for Narcopolis ; Kiran Nagarkar for The Extras ; Anjum Hasan for Difficult Pleasures ; and Easterine Kire for Bitter Wormwood . Representing the jury, Susie Tharu explained how difficult it was choosing just one (work) from a splendid array of riches.

“ Em and the Big Hoom , as a story about a young man and his mother is as archetypal a story as one can get, and is an amazing exploration through life, an entry into the world of those who are always toppling over the edge. The story of the family trying to hold together around this predicament is as beautiful as the story of the woman itself, she said. The novel, which was “written in English as Indian vernacular” was also a rare example of someone having worked through an experience going on to create a work of fiction to share that experience with the world, she said. Sharmila Tagore, actor and former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, presented the award to Pinto.

In his acceptance speech, Pinto things “don’t get better than this” referring to the award being conferred in a city that had produced a great newspaper and being presented the prize by Sharmila Tagore.

Freedom of speech and expression

Pinto also made an impassioned plea to uphold and protect freedom of speech and expression in this country with its magnificent history of thinking and writing.

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