The book is set in 1950-53, just after Indian independence, partition and it captures the anxiety of a new nation really well. Also, all the characters in the book felt so real, I know of and I know these people in real life. The book talks about communal tensions, caste system, people who have the privilege to ignore these things and patriarchy prevailing all through this. I haven't read anything that comes this close to describing India. Even though I am very disappointed by Lata's choice, I know of people IRL who would make the same choice, and argggghh.

I can't wait to see the BBC adaptation this summer!