This is a novel about memory and forgetfulness, about home and its discontents, about liminal spaces and places, and about diffidence and boldness, lost loves and missed opportunities. Into the war-torn island of Sri Lanka in the 80's, Kumaran, who has been living and working in New York for a long time, returns to his former home. He was going to Sri Lanka to perform a rite to his late father. In the course of these encounters he's thrown into the turmoil of reminiscences. He gets news of an old love and tries to meet her, and that proves difficult. He learns that his nephew had joined a...