Shrilal Shukla

Fragments of Happiness Shrilal Shukla

Description

When Durgadas, an ordinary businessman from Delhi, is arrested for murder

in Lucknow, the lives of the people he left behind-his family and friends-

unravel in unexpected ways. As they fight to prove his innocence and deal

with the upheaval in their lives, they find themselves turning against each

other. Taranath, his eldest son, searches for meaning and strength in religion

and ritual when the law seems to fail him. Rajnath, his younger son, finds

his marriage with his wife, Neela, coming undone when they decide against

having a child until Durgadas is acquitted. His youngest daughter, Chaand,

struggles with her attraction towards Vimal, the much older family friend and

Durgadas's confidant. Vimal's integrity and Chaand's loyalties are tested as

people around them try to drive them apart.

Fragments of Happiness follows the tumult of ordinary people learning about

their own power and helplessness in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

Originally published in Hindi in 1973 as Seemayein Tootati Hain-five years

after the cult classic Raag Darbari-with this novel Shrilal Shukla proves

himself to be as great a master of tragedy as he was of satire.