Kautik on Embers: A Novel

Kautik is prepared to work herself to the bone to feed her husband Mahadev and children Bhima, Nama and Yasodi. She not only drives herself hard, but drives them too, her only concern being that they should keep their dignity intact at all times. She pleads with her husband to pull his weight, often aiming sharp barbs at him. But Mahdev would rather sit under a tree smoking bidis than work. Bhima is a rebel, always on the lookout for opportunities to live a more exciting life. Nama is obedient and suffers for it. Yasodi is too young to make a difference. Ultimately, Kautik is alone in her fight for the family's survival.