Mahesh Rao

"A modern retelling of Jane Austen's Emma with a touch of Crazy Rich Asians set in Delhi, in which the daughter of a wealthy Indian family aspires to match-make for her friends and family, only to find herself caught up in an unforeseen scandal--and an unexpected match of her own"--

Polite Society

There are 1.2 billion people living in India; more than 1.2 billion stories in one country. A man living on a tea plantation in the Nilgiri Hills realises he's in love with his daughter-in-law; a young family eagerly awaits the launch of Shakti-Cola; a chronically anxious yoga retreat manager struggles with the demands of her enlightenment-seeking Western patrons; and a family legacy hangs in the balance when a horrifying discovery is unearthed on their Rajasthani estate. Traversing thirteen Indian states, One Point Two Billion illuminates the exhilarating diversity of the second most populous nation in the world. Moving from towering megacity to remote detention camp, from the canals of rural Punjab to an exclusive club in Delhi, these remarkable stories offer glimpses into the loves, triumphs and tragedies of everyday life in a world torn between tradition and the shock of modernity. In a mesmerizing collection laced with biting humour, filled with danger and hope, these stories from the award-winning author of Smoke is Rising portray the vast array of lives existing in the uneasy balance of Indian society.

One Point Two Billion

"So funny, smart, sophisticated, and captivating, you just want to spend your whole life with it."--Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians In this modern reimagining of Jane Austen's Emma, Delhi's polite society is often anything but polite. Beautiful, clever, and more than a little bored, Ania Khurana has Delhi wrapped around her finger. Having successfully found love for her spinster aunt, she sets her sights on Dimple: her newest, sweetest, and most helpless friend. But when her aunt's handsome nephew arrives from America, the social tides in Delhi begin to shift. Surrounded by old money and new; relentless currents of gossip; and an unforgettable cast of socialites, journalists, gurus, and heirs, Ania discovers that her good intentions are no match for the whims and intrigues of Delhi's high society--or for her own complicated feelings toward her cherished childhood friend, Dev. Pairing razor-sharp observation and social comedy with moments of true tenderness, this delicious whirl through the mansions of India's dazzling elite celebrates that there's no one route to perfect happiness.

'A stunning novel, gorgeously written' Kamila Shamsie, author of Best of Friends 'Intelligent, keenly observed' Tash Aw, TLS 'A poignant study of loneliness, and a perceptive examination of the struggle for acceptance and understanding' Telegraph 'A tender yet piercing exploration of what it means to live in the shadows' Service95 High in the mountains of Darjeeling, a landslide traps the guests and staff of a crumbling hotel. Cooped up inside, two men exchange lingering glances. For Neville, this is one of many thrilling encounters - urgent kisses in stairwells and parked cars. But for hotel employee Pavan, their connection threatens to unravel everything he has kept hidden. Years later, their paths collide once more, surrounded by the towering skyscrapers and ghostly smog of Mumbai. Neville is now a restless graduate, adrift in the city, while Pavan has started a new life, away from the hills. When Neville strides into his workplace demanding a meeting, their flirtation turns fraught, and long-buried secrets threaten to tumble into the light. Set on the cusp of India's landmark ruling to decriminalise homosexuality, this is a tender, richly atmospheric and elegantly wry story of outlawed desire - and the fragile hope for a life beyond concealment. Praise for Half Light: 'A thoughtful, moving novel that takes its time to explore its characters' inner lives and invites the reader into the dual heritage of a country in an unusual and rewarding way' Irish Times 'Thoughtful, tender storytelling at its finest' Marie Claire 'A quietly lovely exploration of desire and self loathing in India in the years leading up to the decriminalization of homosexuality' Daily Mail'Highly enjoyable. . . offer[s] a glimmer of hope for a new world that could come into being' Guardian 'Half Light is a novel steeped to a sublime perfection, and an astonishing literary achievement' Rabih Alameddine, author of The Wrong End of the Telescope 'A searing tour de force of shame, sex, love and identity. I was enchanted' Thomas Stewart, author of Real Boys 'Tender and timeless. A quiet story of hope and survival that took my breath away' Soula Emmanuel, author of Wild Geese 'More than meets the expectations aroused by his debut' Patrick Gale, author of Mother's Boy

Half Light

THE FUTURE IS HERE. India has just sent its first spacecraft to the moon, and the placid city of Mysore is gearing up for its own global recognition with the construction of HeritageLand—Asia’s largest theme park. From behind the formidable gates of Mahalakshmi Gardens to the shanty houses on the edge of town, the people of Mysore are abuzz as they watch their city prepare for a complete transformation. As government officials make plans for the expected tourism extravaganza, Mysore’s residents find themselves swept up in the ferment. Susheela, an elderly widow, is forced into a secretive new life. Uma, trying to escape her painful past, learns the lasting power of local gossip. And Mala must finally confront the reality of her husband’s troubling behaviour. Savagely funny and deeply poignant, The Smoke Is Rising is a riveting portrait of a city hurtling towards an epic clash of modernity and tradition, and all the wandering souls—some hopeful, some broken, and a few somewhere in between—who find themselves caught in the middle.

Mahesh Rao

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