PATNA BLUES

Arif is the son of a sub-inspector in Patna. His once prosperous landowning family has slipped low down the class ladder. Arif ’s sole ambition in life is to crack the civil service examination and become an IAS officer. He believes this will restore the family’s fortunes and works hard at his studies. Until his first glimpse of Sumitra, a voluptuous long-haired beauty. Married, Hindu and several years older than him, she is wrong for him in every way. It is the beginning of an infatuation that will consume his life.‘Abdullah Khan manages to bring together a heartfelt simplicity in his prose style with delicate personal and cultural observation and humour. His writing is lit with a love for the world.’ – Amit Chaudhuri ‘Reading Patna Blues is like pedalling your way through a little known India. It is certain to fill you with inexplicably candid and absolutely stunning tales. Patna Blues marks an impressive debut and brings us an important voice.’ —Anees Salim