Shiva Dancing, by Bharti Kirchner

Monday, February 15, 2010

This debut novel by the author is set in the backdrop of vibrant India - fate of human beings alters every seven years, attributed to the dance of Shiva. True to this, Meena, the central character, made alive and vivid by a wonderful prose, gets a sharp turn in her life at the age of seven when she was abducted by bandits in Rajasthan. The story unspools as Meena crosses the oceans to Bay Area in California as a Software Project Manager with the author delving into details so familiar to an IT professional, yet devoid of any mundane narration. As years pass by, Meena is tugged at heart to be back to India, to be close to her ‘husband’ when she was married at age seven. Emotions, internet, IT jargons, Indian delicacies, all nurture this wonderfully written book, proving to be an entertainer and light read with a Bollywood twist to keep you animated!