A New World Romance

An accidental meeting at a seminar brings Ketaki and Aditya two academics based in the United States together. Well established in their careers with romantic and marital relationships behind them they are located in different cities in what the author calls the ‘new world’ or Navabhum while the ‘old world’ or Purabhum has long been left behind. Neither is in search of a relationship but they find themselves falling deeply and inexorably in love. Even as the new world opens up infinite possibilities the old world casts its gentle shadow over their lives and touches everything. Where the author asks will their love take them? Susham Bedi’s moving and delicately crafted novel is brought to us in this sensitive and nuanced translation by Astri Ghosh.