The Sword and the Sickle is a novel by Mulk Raj Anand first published in 1942. Like his other novels, this one also deals with the topic of social and political structures, specifically, the rise of Communism.[1] The title for the book was given to Anand by George Orwell.[2] The novel was in keeping with British and American writings of the time.[3] The book was the final part of the trilogy that included The Village and Across the Black Waters.[4]