Hiroaki Masuda, Ko Higashitani, Hideto Yoshida
Set in Delhi, this book explores the cultural and social contrasts of post-independence India. It follows the life of Shakuntala, a young Indian woman from a wealthy family and her connection to nostalgic Englishman Esmond. The smells, sounds and texture of post independence India are pungently evoked in this novel from Prawer Jhabvala. The plot centres mostly on the willful Shakuntala who returns from England to her family home in India, which she shares with her much adored 'daddyji' mother, brother Amrit and sister-in-law Indira. Having recently graduated with a BA from 'College' in England, Shakuntala feels suitably edified in her knowledge of 'culture' and is rather disdainful of women (notably her mother and sister-in-law) who care only for shopping and the appropriate manner in which to press and hang exquisite silk saris. The blind passion she develops for the urbane yet cruel Esmond (who is married to her friend Gulab) is farcically shallow - their dialogue reading like the script from a traditional Bollywood love scene. For an aromatic light dip into the social tensions of India after 1947, this is a novel for you. Expect gritty two-dimensional characters and you will not be disappointed. (Kirkus UK)