In the new land, they find solace in Penang Island's embrace. They make history as they pioneer the birth of the Federated Malay States Railways; they wallow in the scent of spices and wonder at the rich blend of migrants and cultures on the island, and they bask in the warmth of its natives until Fate drags them back to India where it deals them its final blow.
At once magical, poignant and exotic, Devika Bai's debut novel mesmerises as it unravels the love, loyalty and courage of the Bhonsles. The saga unfolds against the backdrop of war, famine, family conflict and social injustice, and hurtles towards its inevitable end in a masterful blend of history and fiction.