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In ten stories that read like parables, Meera Nair depicts contemporary Indian life with fierce precision and an irresistible blend of humor, wit, and pathos, firmly establishing herself as a striking new voice in Indian fiction. An American porn flick wreaks havoc on the life of an Indian man, much to the dismay of his wife. A young man's uncanny gift for sculpting statues out of sand makes the women of his village swoon-until the men plot to put a stop to it. A small town of "utter inconsequence" prepares excitedly for a visit from President Clinton. This stunning debut collection offers brilliant snapshots of life's small reversals and a broad-stroke portrait of our times.