Anita Rau Badami: Canadian writer profile

She has been long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublic Literary Award, one of the richest literary prizes — twice!

By Gillian Berner and Stacy Lee Kong

Updated November 2, 2012

Hometown: Born in India; studied in Calgary; lives in Montreal.

Kudos: Two of her novels have been long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, one of the world’s richest literary prizes.

Her new book: Tell it to the Trees, $30. Varsha Dharma has two mothers and she loves them both: Helen, the glamorous, impulsive woman who gave birth to her, and Suman, the gentle, reliable replacement her father married just months after Helen’s death. On the surface, the family seems happy. With the arrival of a new tenant, aspiring writer Anu, long-hidden secrets begin to emerge . A page-turning murder mystery that steadily unfolds to a startling conclusion. — S.L.K.

Behind the scenes: Badami is also a visual artist.

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

FILED UNDER:

Copy link

The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.