The Baptism of Tony Calangute by Sudeep Chakravarti [Paperback]

The Baptism of Tony Calangute is a novel that combines satire, social commentary, and lyrical prose to tell the story of two cousins, Tony Calangute and Dino Dantas, who are fighting to protect the Goa of old—referred to as Aparanta—from the forces of corruption and greed. The novel is set in the seaside village of Socorro Do Mundo, where Tony owns the Happy Bar, and time moves at its own pace. However, Goa’s natural beauty and resources are under threat, as powerful figures seek to exploit the land for profit. Winston Almeida, a ruthless land-grabber with political ambitions, teams up with Sergei Yurlov, a Russian drug lord, and a colorful cast of accomplices, all sanctioned by the region's corrupt political overlord. Tony and Dino stand in opposition, striving to protect their homeland’s heritage.