Mary A. Hecht blends fiction, travelogue, and memoir in this evocative portrait of India and its many cultures.

Hecht first explored India in 1963, reluctantly going only to satisfy her father's wishes. She is forever grateful for the opportunity he gave her. This introduction to the beautiful country enchanted her, and she has spent years recording her own experiences and writing short stories based on the people she met.

Hecht's short stories capture the vivid atmosphere of India. In the first, a man lands a new job as a driver for foreigners in the country. As he grows...