Introduction

A World Elsewhere is an extraordinary evocation of Indian social life in the 1960s and 1970s. Set in the state of Orissa, the novel depicts the life of the Guru family, especially their daughter, Asha. Intelligent, curious and sensitive, Ashas happy childhood turns into a lonely and troubled adolescence as her future is mapped out by the social conventions of the day: she will be an educated wife, mother, and housekeeper, married to a man of her family's choosing.

Plot Summary

When Asha goes to college, she meets Anand and falls in love with him. Much against the wishes of her family, she marries him—a decision that proves to be disastrous, triggering a series of events that nearly destroys her. We are led through a tragic but redemptive story as Asha, shaped by her unfailing pursuit of love, truth and justice, responds to her unexpected reversal in fortune by seeking a world elsewhere.

Themes and Conclusion

Exploring notions of love and betrayal, innocence and experience, the choices people make and the role luck plays in life, A World Elsewhere is timeless.