To commemorate Chitralekha Nepauney’s Chaurasi – her landmark 84th birthday – three of Chitralekha’s grandchildren are travelling to Gangtok, Sikkim, to pay their respects.
Agastaya is flying in from New York. Although a successful oncologist, he is dreading his family’s inquisition into why he is not married, and is terrified that the reason for his bachelordom will be discovered. Joining him are Manasa and Bhagwati, travelling from London and Colorado respectively. One the Oxford-educated achiever; the other the disgraced eloper – one moneyed but miserable; the other ostracized but optimistic.
All three harbour the same dual objective: to emerge from the celebrations with their formidable grandmother’s blessing and their nerves intact – a goal that will become increasingly difficult thanks to a mischievous maid and a fourth, uninvited guest.
Agastaya is flying in from New York. Although a successful oncologist, he is dreading his family’s inquisition into why he is not married, and is terrified that the reason for his bachelordom will be discovered. Joining him are Manasa and Bhagwati, travelling from London and Colorado respectively. One the Oxford-educated achiever; the other the disgraced eloper – one moneyed but miserable; the other ostracized but optimistic.
All three harbour the same dual objective: to emerge from the celebrations with their formidable grandmother’s blessing and their nerves intact – a goal that will become increasingly difficult thanks to a mischievous maid and a fourth, uninvited guest.
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Reviews
'[Parajuly] writes finely crafted prose in which local expressions and ideas constantly jump and weave' New Statesman.
'Parajuly's deft portrayal of his characters' relationships - both with each other and with their old and new homes - is original and convincing. Just as engaging as this nuanced portrait of a generation caught between East and West is Parajuly's sharp depiction of social and economic problems besetting this little known part of the world. Illuminating and compelling, Land Where I Flee is a potent mixture of national and familial politics' The Spectator.
'Easily the most intelligent and entertaining novel to come out of South Asia in a decade' The Telegraph of India.
'An intelligent novel about identity in an ever-changing world, offering a glimpse into a fascinating culture' The Lady.