Karan Mahajan’s third novel, set primarily in Delhi, explores themes of corruption, family betrayal, and the shifting social landscape of post-independence India. The story centers on the Chopra family, once a respected Punjabi clan whose legacy has been marred by violence and moral decline over the past quarter-century.
The narrative unfolds through the perspective of Mohit, the son of Brij Chopra, who is about to be released from prison after serving time for the murder of his uncle, Laxman. Laxman, portrayed as a crude yet charismatic patriarch, is introduced in the novel’s opening pages, and his death remains a defining event that casts a long shadow over the family.
Set against the backdrop of Delhi’s sun-drenched suburbs, where the family established itself during the country’s early years after independence, the novel tracks the decline of the Chopra household. The family patriarch, SP Chopra, was a freedom fighter who later became a politician and businessman. Since his death from a heart attack, his nine children have struggled to uphold his reputation and ambitions.
The story focuses less on the elder siblings, who remain somewhat distant, and more on the younger generation. This includes Laxman, who modestly manages a bobby pin factory and a local temple; Brij, a former military pilot turned paper mill manager; and Brij’s brother Sachin, who relocates to Michigan to innovate in the plastics industry. The narrative also highlights the women in the family, who navigate limited opportunities for influence and autonomy amid the family’s turmoil.
Set during the transition from the 1970s into the 1980s, the novel incorporates significant political and social changes in India, such as the shift toward more business-friendly socialist governments, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the rise of Hindu nationalism. These developments form a backdrop to the Chopras’ personal dramas, as each family member attempts to wield power or resolve conflicts through money, personal force, or political connections.
Mahajan’s storytelling captures the complex, often morally ambiguous characters at the heart of the family saga. The novel reflects a world where insider dealings and betrayals are commonplace, and the family home becomes a symbol both of status and confinement. Despite the grim atmosphere, the narrative is noted for its immersive quality, offering a nuanced view of the conditions leading up to the family’s descent into violence and radicalism.
Through its intricate character portraits and vivid setting, the novel portrays a family struggling to maintain its legacy amid unfolding societal and political upheaval, ultimately presenting a layered examination of ambition, loyalty, and the consequences of power.