The Mayabharata

This powerful novel is both a mystical journey through self and a magically realistic sojourn within the severity of Indian life. Set in a land called Mayabharat, which floats above the wonder and desperation that is India, this spiraling adventure weaves between characters as diverse as sadhus, sword swallowers, street performers, circus crowds, drug dealers, politicians, patels and police inspectors. It delves into the heart of city life on the streets and railway platforms. It waits with us at the market stalls and dhabas. It holds our hand as we venture through the darkness of jhuggies, brothels and cemeteries. And it thrusts us into the heart of traditional village life during an intense struggle around issues of caste, karma and corruption. A delicate love story, "The Mayabharata" is a kaleidoscopic voyage that entices and enthralls and will make you ponder - even shed a few tears for - the toiling poor as they struggle to find meaning in their lives. "The Mayabharata" is dedicated to the Scheduled Castes of India, and especially to their women.

Tim Lewis is an extremely experienced and accomplished author of 12 books, including history, poetry, philosophy and fiction. He has won several prizes and been awarded a number of fellowships and grants for his work, which has reached an international audience. He was born in southern Africa and raised in England, but is now a resident of Charlottesville, Virginia. He has read his work to audiences across America and Europe and his works have won international acclaim. This is his fifth novel. As part of his research, he took four lengthy trips to India, studied with Hindu and Buddhist masters, traveled extensively around the country lived in a number of Indian villages, lived with tribals, sarpanchs, patels and sadhus. He is an expert on Indian culture and history.