An End to Suffering
17 July 2025Synopsis
‘Mishra’s book is in the best tradition of Buddhism, both dispassionate and deeply engaged, complicated and simple, erudite and profoundly humane’ The New York Times
An accomplished history of the Buddha, An End to Suffering is also a deeply personal story – the story of Pankaj Mishra’s search for meaning, for truth and peace in the modern world and, specifically, in a postcolonial, independent India. As he describes his travels to unearth the origins of the Buddha, Mishra offers glimpses into his own quest for enlightenment, from childhood to the September 11 attacks, from family background to friends met and made, from lessons learned to his achievements as a writer. Through this, Mishra reveals the parallels between his time and the Buddha’s, between their respective journeys – and that of their country – in search of progress and reconciliation.
‘Mishra is one of the most important voices of our generation’ Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads
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17 July 2025
9781035085538Reviews
Mishra's book is in the best tradition of Buddhism, both dispassionate and deeply engaged, complicated and simple, erudite and profoundly humaneNew York Times
Casual and impressive . . . Mishra's prose has an unforced eleganceMichael Glover, Independent
One of our most intellectually astute and courageous writersHisham Matar, author of In the Country of Men and My Friends
Mishra leads readers on a search for meaning in modern history’s most depraved episodes. This is a rare text: courageous and bracing, learned and ethical, rigorous and mind-expanding.Naomi Klein, author of Doppelganger, on The World After Gaza
