Rohinton Mistry, born in India in 1952, is an Indian-born Canadian author whose literary works often delve into the lives of Parsis and are set in India. His writing explores themes of family, poverty, discrimination, and societal corruption. Mistry's career began after emigrating to Canada and pursuing further education. He gained significant recognition for his novels and short story collections, with each of his three novels being shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize.

His literary output includes the short story collection 'Tales from Firozsha Baag' and the novels 'Such a Long Journey', 'A Fine Balance', and 'Family Matters'. These works have garnered numerous awards, including the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, the Giller Prize, and the Governor General's Award, and have been translated into multiple languages. Mistry's work has also been adapted for film and television, and his literary papers are preserved at York University.

Born in Bombay, India, to a Parsi family, Rohinton Mistry pursued higher education in his home country, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Economics from St. Xavier's College. In 1975, he relocated to Canada with his future wife, Freny Elavia, whom he married soon after. Initially working in a bank, Mistry later returned to academia at the University of Toronto, where he obtained another Bachelor of Arts degree, this time in English and Philosophy.

Mistry's writing career gained momentum during his studies at the University of Toronto, where he received multiple literary awards. His debut collection of short stories, 'Tales from Firozsha Baag', published in 1987, depicted life within a Bombay apartment complex. His subsequent novels, 'Such a Long Journey' (1991), 'A Fine Balance' (1995), and 'Family Matters' (2002), are all set in India and narrated from a Parsi perspective. These narratives frequently examine the complexities of family life, the hardships of poverty, experiences of discrimination, and the pervasive influence of societal corruption. His work has been recognized internationally, with all three novels receiving Booker Prize shortlistings.

Rohinton Mistry's contributions to literature have been widely acknowledged through numerous accolades. He is the recipient of the Neustadt International Prize for Literature (2012), the Giller Prize (1995), and the Governor General's Award (1991). His novels have consistently been recognized, with 'Such a Long Journey', 'A Fine Balance', and 'Family Matters' all earning spots on the Booker Prize shortlist. Further honors include the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction. In 2016, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.