First published 2022
Smita, an Indian American journalist, reluctantly returns to India on assignment after years away. She investigates the case of Meena, a Hindu woman brutally attacked by her village and family for marrying across religious lines to a Muslim man. As Smita documents Meena's struggle for justice in a society where tradition overrides personal choice, the case forces her to confront painful memories from her own past that drove her family to leave India. While fighting to help Meena, Smita becomes involved with Mohan, an Indian man she meets during her reporting. Their relationship highlights the stark differences between the two women's circumstances. Smita enjoys the freedom to pursue romance on her own terms, while Meena faces life-threatening consequences for following her heart. Through these parallel stories, Umrigar explores how two women from the same culture but different circumstances navigate the tension between honoring their heritage and staying true to themselves.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, social-issues
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, parallel-stories
Setting: India
Period: 21st-century
352 pages · Paperback · Algonquin Books
Content warnings: abuse, violence