The story of a sleepy village, set in the backdrop of early 20th century undivided Punjab, takes the reader through the twists and turns of the author's life. It graphically describes the events where fears and falsity land various characters in unsavoury situations and how they bear the fruits of their karma. There is Parmanand, who left the sanctuary of a safe but vacuous existence, in search of a better but unfathomed life to turn into a neurotic teacher. There is Indro, who had to carry the cross of a tedious life to lose vitality in a wasting physiology. It is an account of Devki, who became the mother of sons older than herself and also suffered early widowhood. There is a near death experience of a sensitive child and also of certain death of a new born, one brought about by complex circumstances. There is turmoil and trauma...