Who is the author of the autobiographical book "A Life Less Ordinary: A Memoir"?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns an important memoir that highlights social inequality, gender issues, and the struggle for dignity. "A Life Less Ordinary: A Memoir" tells the real life story of a woman who worked as a domestic help and later became a celebrated writer. Such autobiographical works are often included in general knowledge syllabi because they represent powerful testimonies of resilience and social change. Knowing the correct author reflects awareness of contemporary non fiction writing in India.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The title in question is "A Life Less Ordinary: A Memoir". • The book is autobiographical in nature. • Four authors are listed, including both novelists and the actual memoirist. • Only one option accurately names the person whose life story is told in this book. • The task is to identify the correct author, not to analyse the content of the memoir.

Concept / Approach:
Autobiographical and biographical titles are tested frequently in exams, so it is essential to connect each title with a clear image of the person whose life it describes. "A Life Less Ordinary: A Memoir" is associated with Baby Halder, a domestic worker whose talent for writing was discovered by her employer. The book describes her difficult childhood, early marriage, and eventual journey towards self expression through literature. The approach is to distinguish her from well known novelists like Arundhati Roy and Rohinton Mistry, who wrote different kinds of books.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that "A Life Less Ordinary: A Memoir" is a real life account by a woman who had worked as a maid and later published her story. 2. Recognize that this description fits Baby Halder, who gained recognition after her employer encouraged her to write. 3. Examine option b, Baby Halder, and connect it with this widely discussed memoir. 4. Evaluate option a, Arundhati Roy, known for her novel "The God of Small Things" and various essays, but not for this memoir. 5. Evaluate option c, Rohinton Mistry, a novelist famous for "A Fine Balance" and other works focusing on Indian society, but not the author of "A Life Less Ordinary". 6. Evaluate option d, Kiran Desai, winner of the Man Booker Prize for "The Inheritance of Loss", also unrelated to the given title. 7. Conclude that Baby Halder is the only option that correctly corresponds to the memoir mentioned.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling book reviews, social commentaries, or features in newspapers that introduced Baby Halder as an extraordinary writer who converted her experiences into a moving narrative. Many current affairs compilations and reading lists highlight "A Life Less Ordinary" as an inspiring story of a domestic worker turned author. In contrast, bibliographies of Arundhati Roy, Rohinton Mistry, and Kiran Desai do not include this title. This consistent separation between the novelists and the memoirist confirms that Baby Halder is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Arundhati Roy writes fiction and non fiction on politics and society, but she is not the author of this memoir about a domestic worker's life. • Rohinton Mistry is a novelist of the Indian diaspora and is not connected with this personal narrative. • Kiran Desai is another celebrated novelist whose major works differ in theme and genre from this autobiographical account.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes choose a more famous literary name when they do not recognize the true author. Because Arundhati Roy and Kiran Desai are Man Booker Prize winners, they can appear as tempting but incorrect choices. Another pitfall is to assume that any serious sounding memoir must come from an already famous writer, rather than from someone like Baby Halder who became known precisely because of her life experience. To avoid this, aspirants should remember that exam setters intentionally mix highly famous authors with lesser known but important voices, and both categories deserve equal attention in preparation.

Final Answer:
The autobiographical book "A Life Less Ordinary: A Memoir" was written by Baby Halder.