This striking collection of stories demonstrates the remarkable range of one of India's most promising young writers. Sometimes comic (yet tinged with sadness) as in "The Remains of the Feast" where an old woman near the end of her life suddenly feels the urge to sample all the food she has been forbidden;

 sometimes with a twist as in "Najjar Halwa" where Chelimo, a servant girl from a small town finally understands what makes a big city work; sometimes moving as in " The Reprieve" and always executed with a precision of style and magical imagery, these stories never fail to surprise and delight.