Darkness

Twelve stories of immigrants who navigate the ancestral past of India as they remake their lives—and themselves—in North America. These are stories of fluid and broken identities, discarded languages and deities, and the attempt to create bonds with a new community against the ever-present fear of failure and betrayal. "The narrative of immigration," Bharati Mukherjee once wrote, "is the epic narrative of this millennium." In "The Lady from Lucknow," a woman is pushed to the limit while wanting nothing more than to fit in. "Hindus," characters discover that breaking away from a culture has deep and unexpected costs. "A Father," the clash of cultures leads a man to an act of terrible violence. "How could he tell these bright, mocking women," Mukherjee writes, "that in the darkness, he sensed invisible presences: gods and snakes frolicked in the master bedroom, little white sparks of cosmic static crackled up the legs of his pajamas. Something was out there in the dark, something that could invent accidents and coincidences to remind mortals that even in Detroit, they were no more than mortal."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: David R. Godine Publisher Inc

Twelve captivating tales of immigrants navigating their ancestral past in India while carving out new lives in North America. These narratives delve into the complexities of fluid and fractured identities, discarded languages and deities, and the unwavering quest to forge connections within a diverse community, all while grappling with the ever-present fear of failure and betrayal.

Immigration, as noted by Bharati Mukherjee, stands as the epic tale of our time. Her stories and novels, in a remarkable way, contribute to this ongoing saga. In the story "The Lady from Lucknow," a woman finds herself pushed to her limits as she yearns to blend in. In "Hindus," characters come to realize the profound and unforeseen consequences of departing from their cultural heritage. In "A Father," the clash of cultures culminates in a tragic act of violence. Mukherjee poignantly writes, "How could he tell these bright, mocking women that in the darkness, he sensed invisible presences: gods and snakes frolicking in the master bedroom, little white sparks of cosmic static crackled up the legs of his pajamas. Something was out there in the dark, something that could invent accidents and coincidences to remind mortals that even in Detroit, they were no more than mortal."

Yet, amidst the darkness, there is a glimmer of light. The collections closing story, "Courtly Vision," vividly brings to life the world within a Mughal miniature painting, showcasing a light brimming with exhilaration as it delves into the profound intimacy of darkness. Throughout these pages, readers will embark on a journey of discovery, experiencing the sheer excitement and the myriad shades of darkness and light that permeate the mind of a masterful storyteller.

Darkness is a captivating installment in Godine's Nonpareil series, a celebration of the thrill of exploration through books destined to become timeless classics.

Dimension: 133 x 190 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781567927467