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The most arresting Indian novel since Arundhati Roy's 'The God of Small Things'. Thirty years from now, old Paresh Bhatt settles down to drink an espresso (made, somewhat ostentatiously, with real water), and reflects on the key moments of his life. But even as Paresh recalls his parents' courtship during the freedom movement of the 1930s, his daughter, Para, is in the air -- a crack fighter pilot in the belligerent Indian airforce, mounting raids against the Pak-Saudi alliance! Sharp, modern, fluent and varied, this is a debut novel from India of an utterly original kind. Joshi has found a style and a form in which to say new things about the Indian experience in a new manner.
As the world shifts into a precarious future, an aging man reflects on his family's history while his daughter participates in a high-stakes aerial conflict. Paresh Bhatt navigates the quiet solitude of his later years, using his memories to bridge the gap between the idealism of the 1930s freedom movement and the volatile geopolitical landscape of his present. His daughter, Para, operates within the rigid, high-pressure environment of a fighter pilot, representing the physical and ideological friction of a nation at war. The narrative alternates between these two perspectives, contrasting the internal weight of personal history with the external demands of modern combat.
The novel is characterized by its ambitious scope and its refusal to adhere to traditional linear storytelling conventions. Readers often note the sharp contrast between the intimate, reflective tone of the elder Bhatt and the kinetic, high-stakes environment occupied by his daughter. The work is frequently cited for its linguistic dexterity and its ability to weave together disparate threads of Indian history and speculative political tension. It stands as a distinct entry in contemporary Indian literature, prioritizing stylistic innovation over conventional plot progression. The narrative demands active engagement from the reader to reconcile the shifting temporal planes and thematic layers.
Page Count:
400
Publication Date:
2002-01-01
Publisher:
Flamingo
ISBN-10:
0006551874
ISBN-13:
9780006551874
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