An Atlas of Impossible Longing: A Saga of Love, Loss, and Longing in Turbulent India

Anuradha Roy's An Atlas of Impossible Longing is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of longing set against the backdrop of a changing India. In a sprawling house on the outskirts of a small Bengali town, a family grapples with unspoken desires and societal constraints.

Forbidden Love and Unconventional Bonds: The narrative revolves around a widower wrestling with his forbidden feelings for an unmarried cousin. Meanwhile, Bakul, a young girl yearning for a mother's love, finds solace in an unlikely companion – Mukunda, an orphan of unknown caste adopted by the family. Their innocent bond deepens as they explore the world together, blossoming into something more profound.

Tragic Separation and the Weight of the Past: Just as their connection takes hold, fate intervenes. Mukunda is banished to Calcutta, leaving Bakul heartbroken and yearning for his return. The years following India's Partition see Mukunda navigate the city's turbulence, achieving success but forever haunted by the memories of his childhood home, his love for Bakul, and the life he left behind.

A Family in Turmoil: Roy masterfully weaves together the stories of these characters, revealing the silent struggles within the family. Confined to a room at the top of the house, a matriarch's descent into madness mirrors the emotional turmoil plaguing the family. As her husband desperately seeks an explanation for her condition, he finds solace in tending his garden, a metaphor for the constant shaping and reshaping of their lives.

A Journey of Self-Discovery: An Atlas of Impossible Longing is a captivating exploration of themes that transcend borders. It delves into the complexities of human relationships, the rigidities of the caste system, and the yearning for connection in a world rife with division. As Mukunda embarks on a journey back to his past, the novel raises questions about belonging, the burden of unfulfilled desires, and the resilience of the human spirit.

An Atlas Of Impossible Longing by Anuradha Roy [Paperback]