R. Prawer Jhabvala's first novel, "Amrita" [published in Britain as "To Whom She Will"], is an amusing, slightly caustic comedy, as genuinely Indian as any tale of village suffering, but dealing with aspects of Indian society that have received little attention.
Mrs. Jhabvala sets her story in post-independence New Delhi, and this gives her an excellent opportunity to describe some of the many levels of Indian urban life and to explore with an entertaining detachment some of the pretensions, maladjustments, successes and charms of modern life in an Indian city. Her central character, Amrita, is the daughter of a respectable, fairly rich family.
This is a free excerpt of 102 words. There are 324 words (approx.
1 page at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Jhabvala, Ruth Prawer 1927–: Critical Essay by Santha Rama Rau Access Pass.