A 1967 Hindi novel about a woman’s alienation after returning from USA gets an English translation

Akshay had a flat in a new neighbourhood in South Delhi. A row of tall houses lined the street, facing another row on the other side. He’d already arranged for her ticket on the night train. At first, he’d thought he would put her up at a hotel, then he thought she could simply go to a hotel herself. But Vidya had appointed Akshay for this task so Radhika wouldn’t have to spend her first day back alone. So, he took her to his own home.

As he unloaded the luggage and paid for the taxi, Akshay worried Radhika might be inconvenienced by his simple home, after the glamour and glitz of abroad. Radhika weakly tried to pay for the taxi, but he stopped her. When he came upstairs, Radhika was standing in the sitting room. “Please have a seat, why are you standing?” Radhika sat down. The room was square. There was a sofa against the wall, a leather chair – clearly of the Scandinavian style – and a full bookshelf on the side. Everything was neat and tidy, but lacking in ambience. A servant came in with a tray, placed it on the table and stood respectfully to one side....

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