This short tense novella follows a newly wealthy family in Bangalore and the impacts of their sudden fortune on their family dynamic and relationships. Vivid imagery and an increasingly ominous tone propelled me through this fascinating story, my largest complaint being that it was so short! Shanbhag has all these hooks here on which one could hang so much more story, but I also respect and enjoy its crisp brevity.⁣
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I tend to cringe at the concept of a book with a “message”, but while this book is arguably “about” the cost of wealth, it’s much more clever than a simple parable. With few powerful details and undeniable artistry, Shanbhag brings his small cast of characters to life, and ultimately the story shines because of the characters and the impressive friction between them. I’m not always the biggest fan of contemporary fiction, but this is one I see sticking with me and which I’d happily recommend.