The Magnificent Ruins

A dream or a nightmare? Suddenly, astoundingly, Lila De inherits a massive house and estate in Kolkatta, far from her home and professional job with a publisher in New York. The adventure comes as she is offered a promotion, and interrupts a new affair with one of her authors. The only way to see what awaits her, is to fly to India and see the legacy from her beloved grandpa who recently passed away. Her visit excites all the relatives holding their breath to learn who inherits.

Lila finds the magnificent ruin is a vast almost decrepit house, with uncles and aunties and cousins ready to add their two cents worth about needed restoration. Almost predictably, Lila enjoys a short romance with a cousin as she dives into the quarrels and legalities surrounding her.

The story moves at whirlwind speed as intrigues follow one another with an occasional tragedy interrupting the flow. The setting is reminiscent of VS Naipaul’s A House for Mr Biswas, a family reaching from traditional to modern, a stranger in once-familiar surroundings. Roy’s skillful style prevents the characters becoming caricatures. But the question remains for Lila: is it all a dream or a nightmare?