Originally set in the tea estate of a wealthy family in Darjeeling, India this is the story of two sisters, Aloka and Sujata, who were always jealous of the other. Aloka the eldest daughter is popular, confidant, and beautiful. Sujata is reserved and homely, but intelligent and knows the family business to a science. Enter Pranab, a charismatic young employee of the plantation who has been organizing the workers to demand better pay and benefits. A romance soon develops between Pranab and the beautiful Aloka and they become engaged. However, when Aloka is out of town, Sujata and Pranab become involved and they discover that they are truly soulmates. When the conventional Indian family finds out, however, the grandmother sends Sujata to Canada and Aloka and Pranab flee to New York to escape her irate father.
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The story continues ten years later with the divorce of Pranab and Aloka. The family matriarch is calling the family back to India to celebrate her birthay. Pranab, still in love with Sujata all this time is hoping to reconcile with her, but meanwhile the grandmother is attempting to arrange a marriage with another man for Sujata. Aloka, ever the devoted and forgiving wife of Pranab, is trying to revive their marriage.
A beautiful novel, rich in Indian tradition and culture, draws the reader into the world of a tea plantation. While orginally at odds with one another, the sisters ultimately find the value and strength in family, and they find that neither one has room for Pranab in their heart.
The review of this Book prepared by Sonnet Davis