Markandaya Kamala

A poignant novel about the triumph of the human spirit over poverty's privations and predicaments Ravi the son of a peasant joins in the general exodus away from destitution. The indifferent and harsh streets of the city lead him to the underworld of petty criminals. A chance misdeed acquaints him with Apu a tailor. Ravi begins working as Apu's apprentice and when he falls in love with Nalini Apu's daughter he joins the already crowded household. Apu dies and Ravi perseveres with the respectable life facing the problems of shortage of food illness dwindling customers. After the death of his son he reverts to the life of a petty criminal and is inexorably drawn towards a dangerous climax. In A Handful of Rice Kamala Markandaya best-selling author of Nectar in a Sieve once again recreates the life of the poor with compassion and respect presenting an overwhelmingly real book.