The City of Good Death

In the debut novel The City of Good Death, Pramesh Prasad manages a death hostel in Banaras, where he cares for Hindu pilgrims seeking release from earthly reincarnation. One day, a body resembling Pramesh's cousin Sagar is pulled from the river, reopening a rift between them. Shobha feels threatened by Sagar's presence, and an unwelcome guest takes up residence in the hostel. The novel explores themes of family, love, memory, and ritual, and how we honor the living and the dead.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2022
Publisher: Regan Arts

Winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing,Shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize,Priyanka Champaneris transcendent,prize-winning debut novel transports us to the sacred city of Banaras in India,where Pramesh Prasad,the manager of a death hostel,cares for the dying who seek the release of a good death. However,his own past refuses to let him go.

As the devoted manager of a death hostel in Banaras, situated along the banks of the Ganges, Pramesh Prasad provides solace to dying Hindu pilgrims who yearn for liberation from earthly reincarnation. He leads a contented life alongside his wife, Shobha, their young daughter, Rani, the hostel priests, his loyal assistant Mohan, and the steady stream of families seeking solace for their dying kin. However, one fateful day, the past resurfaces in the form of a body retrieved from the river—a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Pramesh.

Known as "twins" in their childhood village, Pramesh and his cousin Sagar were inseparable until Pramesh left to explore the world beyond. Sagar remained behind to tend to the land. After marrying Shobha, defying the wishes of his family, a rift formed between Pramesh and Sagar, which Pramesh had purposefully tried to forget. Yet, for Shobha, Sagar's reappearance casts a dark shadow over the life she has built for her family.

Uninvited, an unwelcome guest takes up residence in the death hostel, and the dying continue to defy the natural order of things. Pramesh is compelled to confront his own beliefs about death, rebirth, and redemption.

The City of Good Death is a remarkable debut novel that delves into the intricacies of family, love, memory, and ritual. It is a testament to the ways in which we honor the living and the dead. Champaneris weaves a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own unique stories and struggles, creating a vivid and unforgettable narrative.

Through Pramesh's journey, readers are transported to the vibrant streets of Banaras, where the clash of cultures and traditions creates a rich tapestry of life. The city is alive with color, noise, and the aroma of incense, as Pramesh navigates the complexities of his role as the manager of the death hostel.

The novel also explores the themes of death, rebirth, and redemption, as Pramesh grapples with his own past and the consequences of his actions. He must confront the demons that have haunted him for years and find a way to redeem himself in the eyes of his family and the community.

The City of Good Death is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and forgiveness. Priyanka Champaneris has created a masterpiece that will leave readers deeply moved and inspired.

In conclusion, The City of Good Death is a remarkable debut novel that transports readers to the sacred city of Banaras in India. Through the eyes of Pramesh Prasad, the manager of a death hostel, we witness the complexities of family, love, memory, and ritual. Champaneris weaves a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own unique stories and struggles, creating a vivid and unforgettable narrative. The novel explores the themes of death, rebirth, and redemption, and is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and forgiveness. Priyanka Champaneris has created a masterpiece that will leave readers deeply moved and inspired.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 141 x 210 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781632062536