In the final year of the nineteenth century, the village of Chevathar in southern India is on the brink of chaos. Solomon Dorai, the headman, struggles to maintain the village’s unity amidst significant social and political turmoil. When violence erupts, it shatters Solomon and the traditional village structure. Over three generations, the Dorais experience both victories and defeats in their coastal village. Solomon’s sons, the charismatic Aaron and the scholarly Daniel, are exiled in different ways by their father’s death, each determined to leave their mark on the world. Daniel’s son, Kannan, faces challenges that could overwhelm him if he lacks strength. This passionate and powerful novel intertwines the triumphs and tragedies of its well-crafted characters with the backdrop of extraordinary historical events, making it a New York Times Notable Book published in 16 countries. It skillfully blends personal and political narratives against the backdrop of the Indian independence struggle.