ONE TO WATCH

This is fascinating. Centred on a Cambridge charity shop supporting an Indian village, it unfolds slowly in slices of the volunteers’ lives, using delightful caricatures that build to reveal a plot. However, it’s their philosophy, hopes and acceptance of life that really shine through this quietly hypnotic novel, very much another in The Number 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency territory.

SARAH BROADHURST

POP MATTERS, USA

Balsari’s book is an easy recommendation. It shines a clear light on a number of shadowy topics, but always with a twinkle in its eye and a relatively sympathetic smile … the language and tone of the novel are lovely, without being sappy or particularly prosaic. It mocks gently, but with an all-inclusive hug.

PATRICK SCHABE

COLUMNS & ARTICLES

Saumya Balsari was a regular columnist for The Times of India (Bombay Times) and The Hindustan Times UK Edition. She has also written features, interviews and reviews for The Times of India (Bombay Times), DNA, The Indian Express, The Deccan Chronicle, Femina, Indian Post, Free Press Journal, Der Spiegel (Germany) Zee Magazine (UK), Sublime Magazine (UK), Pravasi Today, DESI, BEE and E-Magazine (USA).