PROMISES KEPT

Unable to share her terrible secret even on her deathbed the yesteryear film actress Anoli extracts two last promises from her granddaughter Laura - that she will visit Anoli''s home state Adhbal one of India''s many conflict zones and go to her village; and that she will follow Anoli''s will to the letter. Laura''s attempts to keep her promises pull her into a vortex of intrigue that could either end in a happily-ever-after or six-feet-under even as with her resourcefulness and courage Laura tries her best to uncover Anoli''s dark secret. In a narrative that is ironic emotional pensive witty and dramatic in turns Shweta Subbiah Balakrishnan leaves us contemplating the power and politics that have torn apart some of the most beautiful regions in the world and left in their wake victims of geographical historical sexual and ideological oppression.