Worlds Within Worlds (P.B)

Worlds within Worlds, translated from the Hindi original Udhar ke Log, is a novel true to life. Quiet and thoughtful, it is the first-person story of a young man in Delhi and his family. He is a lecturer at a university and has liberal views. His wife is a doctor, and his friend works in both the civil service and the private sector. This would seem to be a familiar middle-class saga— except that they are all Dalit. At the heart of the story lies the clash between caste and class: can you be middle-class and Dalit? Thus opening discussions about the meaning of ‘caste’ and ‘untouchability’. Is education an emancipatory force? The main characters’ conflict arises as they navigate experiences of discrimination due to their names and backgrounds, and of liberation through their education and qualifications. The story is also about a young man’s sexual and romantic experiences, family relationships and social consciousness, where caste does not play a defining role. The novel is sure to prompt readers to explore concepts of caste, class, and religion, as well as familial and societal dynamics, friendship, love, and loyalty to both individuals and causes.