A Prodigy of ‘Such Precocity and Aplomb’ That His Debut Novel is a Literary Sensation Even Before Publication

At just 27 years old, Gurnaik Johal has already established himself as one of Britain’s most promising literary voices. Born in 1998 and originally from Northolt, London, he studied at the University of Manchester before launching a career that has seen him collect prestigious awards and critical acclaim in remarkably quick succession.

Johal’s literary journey began with early recognition when he was shortlisted for The Guardian 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize in 2018. After graduating from university in 2019, he entered the publishing world, working in children’s publishing while developing his own writing craft.

His debut collection, “We Move,” published by Serpent’s Tail in April 2022, marked an extraordinary entrance into British literature. The collection was generally well received by critics, with both The Guardian and Hindustan Times named it one of the best books of 2022. The 17-story collection went on to achieve remarkable success, winning the Somerset Maugham Award and the Tata Literature Live! Prize. Its opening story won the Galley Beggar Short Story Prize.

The Breakthrough Novel: Saraswati

This year marks another milestone in Johal’s career with the publication of his debut novel, “Saraswati.” Already being hailed as “a masterpiece debut novel from one of the UK’s most exciting young writers, for fans of David Mitchell, Deepti Kapoor and Zadie Smith,” the book has earned recognition as an Independent Best Book of 2025.

The novel demonstrates remarkable ambition for a debut. The story follows the discovery of a lost river that sets in motion a contentious scheme to unearth it as an act of Hindu nationalist pride. The river changes the course of Satnam’s life, and those of six others. As legends and histories resurface, the distant relatives — from a Canadian eco-saboteur to a Mauritian pest controller are connected across continents and generations.

He’s currently working through Larry McMurtry’s epic western “Lonesome Dove,” which he describes as “a comedy of manners set on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana.

This is no ordinary achievement by a 27-year-old writer. A British-Indian, Gurnaik Johal won the prestigious Somerset Maugham Award. He is the kind of promise that redeems itself with surprises, notes The Tribune in their review.

Literary Influences and Reading Journey

In a recent interview, Johal revealed the eclectic reading journey that shaped his literary sensibilities. His earliest reading memory involves repeatedly poring over the Guinness Book of Records, particularly fascinated by “the woman with the longest fingernails in the world.” His childhood was enriched by Michelle Paver’s Wolf Brother series, whose stone age world-building captured his imagination.

A pivotal moment came during his teenage years when he discovered Zadie Smith’s NW, admitting to The Guardian with characteristic humility: “I had no idea she was such a big deal!” This discovery led him to explore the works Smith recommended, including Elizabeth Strout, George Saunders, and Gustave Flaubert—writers who would significantly influence his development.

His university experience proved transformative, particularly his encounter with short stories. Works like “Extra” by Yiyun Li, “A Temporary Matter” by Jhumpa Lahiri, and “Recitatif” by Toni Morrison shifted his perspective on both reading and writing, ultimately inspiring his career path.

Johal’s relationship with Joseph Conrad exemplifies his evolving literary taste. Initially struggling with “Heart of Darkness,” he later returned to Conrad and “now count[s] Joseph Conrad as one of my favorite writers. I love his prose style and the scale of ambition in his novels.”

Teaching and Continuing Education

His academic engagement with literature extends beyond personal reading. Teaching short story courses allowed him to regularly revisit favorites, particularly Stuart Dybek’s “Pet Milk” and “Paper Lantern,” which he describes as feeling “new” even after “dozens of rereads.”

His reading habits reveal both scholarly rigor and personal pleasure. He’s currently working through Larry McMurtry’s epic western “Lonesome Dove,” which he describes as “a comedy of manners set on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The free indirect style is very Jane Austen and the dialogue very John Wayne.”

Critics have praised Johal’s work as “a debut collection of such precocity and aplomb that it stands comparison to the likes of Junot Díaz and Bryan Washington.” The recognition extends beyond Britain, with international attention focusing on his unique voice as a British Indian writer navigating themes of identity, displacement, and belonging.

“Saraswati” has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, adding to the growing list of accolades that mark Johal as a writer to watch. The novel’s scope—spanning continents and weaving together multiple narratives—demonstrates an ambitious vision that suggests even greater works to come.

Recent critical assessments of “Saraswati” reveal both the novel’s ambitions and its challenges. Valerie O’Riordan’s review acknowledges the book’s scope, noting that it tackles “nationalism, eco-terrorism, floods and drought, biological warfare, kidnappings and car chases” while weaving together stories of forbidden love and cross-generational connections. O’Riordan praises Johal’s political messaging as “solid” and commends his portrayal of diverse cultures, writing that “the cultures evoked are alienated because of their diversity, but they are well portrayed.”

However, the review also identifies areas where the novel’s ambition may exceed its execution. O’Riordan suggests that while the interconnected narratives each have the potential to “make up the whole novel in itself,” they sometimes function more as “plot carriers” rather than fully realized characters. She places Johal’s work in the tradition of David Mitchell and contemporary climate fiction writers like Kim Stanley Robinson and Richard Powers, while noting that the novel faces similar challenges in balancing thematic ambition with character development.

The critical consensus suggests that while “Saraswati” may not be without its growing pains as a debut novel, it establishes Johal as a writer with significant potential, with O’Riordan concluding that “Johal will do better in the future.”

As Johal continues to develop his craft, his work represents a new generation of British writing that seamlessly blends cultural specificity with universal themes. His rapid ascent from university student to award-winning author suggests a literary career that will continue to surprise and delight readers across the globe.