Born in London to a Swiss mother and Indian father, Meira grew up and was educated in the UK. She studied art at Central St Martin’s. In 1962 she went with her Indian husband to Japan, where she taught art at an international school. Leaving Japan for Mumbai in 1971, she lived for five years in India, where she began writing. India, she says, was a life changing experience. After returning to Japan in 1976, she wrote her first novel, The Gossamer Fly (1979), followed by four further novels about Japan, Last Quadrant (1981), The Bonsai Tree (1983), The Painted Cage (1986), and A Choice of Evils (1996).
Two more novels, A Different Sky (2010) and Sacred Waters (2018), were written after she left Japan to live in Singapore in 1997. The hugely successful Singapore stage production, LKY The Musical, about the life of the country’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, was based on a story she wrote. Meira is now a Singaporean citizen and regards the country as home. In December 2023 she was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s highest accolade for artistic excellence. (from author)
Born in London to a Swiss mother and Indian father, Meira grew up and was educated in the UK. She studied art at Central St Martin’s. In 1962 she went with her Indian husband to Japan, where she taught art at an international school. Leaving Japan for Mumbai in 1971, she lived for five years in India, where she began writing. India, she says, was a life changing experience. After returning to Japan in 1976, she wrote her first novel, The Gossamer Fly (1979), followed by four further novels about Japan, Last Quadrant (1981), The Bonsai Tree (1983), The Painted Cage (1986), and A Choice of Evils (1996).
Two more novels, A Different Sky (2010) and Sacred Waters (2018), were written after she left Japan to live in Singapore in 1997. The hugely successful Singapore stage production, LKY The Musical, about the life of the country’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, was based on a story she wrote. Meira is now a Singaporean citizen and regards the country as home. In December 2023 she was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s highest accolade for artistic excellence. (from author)
Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.
VideoMay 12 2026
Laurent Binet – Perspective(s) Q&A
Check out our Q&A with Laurent Binet, author of shortlisted title Perspective(s), as he discusses the inspirations behind his work and reflects on the role libraries have played in shaping his journey
VideoMay 8 2026
Ali Smith – Gliff Q&A
Shortlisted author Ali Smith discusses the creative inspirations behind Gliff and reflects on the significance of libraries throughout her reading and writing life in our latest Q&A.
