Chennai (Madras) has a rich literary tradition and a particular presence in English-language fiction — the city's colonial history, its Tamil cultural life, and the social stratifications of South Indian society have all generated significant literature.
Tamarind City by Bishwanath Ghosh is the best introduction to modern Chennai — a journalist's account of learning to love a city he initially found impenetrable. Affectionate, specific, and an excellent companion to a visit.
The Guide by R.K. Narayan is set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi but draws on the author's deep familiarity with Tamil Nadu. Narayan's novels are the best gateway to the rhythms of South Indian life.
The Immortals by Amit Chaudhuri is set partly in Chennai and captures the world of Carnatic classical music with unusual depth and specificity.
A Thousand Faces by Ambai (C.S. Lakshmi) is a collection of short stories by the Tamil feminist writer that explores the lives of Chennai women across different classes and eras.
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar, though set in Mumbai, deals with the same social dynamics of caste, class, and domestic labour that shape urban South Indian life.