Set in the 1960s, this intriguing novel portrays the struggle of a young North Indian couple who want to marry, but are denied the support of family and friends. The conflict stems from the traditional belief that marriage partners should belong to the same caste. The middle class Indian family in the 1960s did not know how to compromise, especially when it came to caste distinctions. Caste is associated with the standing of the birth family, while individual aspirations and actions are unrelated to caste. Baldev and Padma believe the choice of a partner should be based on love and personal...