Who is the author of the novel Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer about the life of a Parsi corpse bearer in Mumbai?

Introduction / Context:
"Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer" is a modern Indian English novel that focuses on the life of a member of the Parsi community who works as a corpse bearer in Mumbai. The book presents a sensitive portrait of an often invisible profession and community. This question asks for the author of the novel. Knowing contemporary Indian English writers and their important works is a common requirement for competitive examinations and literary general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The book title is "Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer".
• The story is set in Mumbai and revolves around a Parsi corpse bearer.
• The options are Victor Hugo, John Milton, Cyrus Mistry, and None of the above.
• Only one of these is a contemporary Indian English novelist.

Concept / Approach:
To answer book and author questions, it helps to identify the language, period, and regional setting of the novel. Victor Hugo and John Milton are classic Western authors from different centuries and languages, primarily associated with French and English literature of earlier eras. In contrast, "Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer" is a recent Indian novel focusing on a specific community in Mumbai. Cyrus Mistry, an Indian writer and playwright, fits that profile. The correct approach is to match this context with the appropriate author among the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the novel deals with the Parsi community and corpse bearers in contemporary Mumbai. Step 2: Recall that Cyrus Mistry is a noted Indian English author who won the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature for "Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer". Step 3: Check the list of options. Victor Hugo and John Milton are classic European authors from earlier centuries and did not write this modern Indian novel. Step 4: Identify Cyrus Mistry as the only author whose background and body of work match the novel's context. Step 5: Conclude that Cyrus Mistry is the author of "Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer".

Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to verify is to recall awards and recognition. "Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer" has been widely reviewed in Indian newspapers and literary festivals where Cyrus Mistry was mentioned as the author. Victor Hugo is associated with works like "Les Miserables" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", and John Milton is known for "Paradise Lost", which are completely different in theme, era, and setting. No serious literary source attributes this novel to them. The presence of "None of the above" is a distractor because the correct author is clearly listed as Cyrus Mistry.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Victor Hugo: A nineteenth century French novelist and poet, best known for European classics. He did not write an Indian English novel about a Parsi corpse bearer in Mumbai.
John Milton: A seventeenth century English poet famous for "Paradise Lost". He did not write any modern Indian novel with this title.
None of the above: This choice would be correct only if the real author were absent from the list, but Cyrus Mistry is present, so this option is incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is to overthink when classic names like Victor Hugo and John Milton are offered, thinking that a famous sounding name must be correct. Another common mistake is confusion between Cyrus Mistry the writer and the similarly named former business leader, which can cause hesitation. Students might also misremember the title as belonging to another author of Indian English fiction. Regular reading of summaries and author lists for award winning Indian novels helps solidify the connection between this book and Cyrus Mistry.

Final Answer:
The author of the novel "Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer" is Cyrus Mistry.