Raka by Sunil Gangopadhyay [Hardcover]

Sunil Gangopadhyay's novel Raka delves into intense emotional and philosophical questions. Set against a backdrop of moonlit intoxication and spiritual fervor, the story explores the complex dynamics of relationships and desire.

In the novel, a man, under the influence of his obsession with his friend's young wife, attempts to draw her closer. Despite his advances, she rejects him with tears, compelling him to step back. Immersed in a rain-soaked river, she momentarily loses her identity, experiencing a profound transformation and awakening a deeper, eternal self. Meanwhile, the friend, who had been the object of her husband's desire, becomes an unexpected savior.

The novel raises thought-provoking questions: Does the truth of their mutual attraction outweigh their denial of it? Can a relationship devoid of physical intimacy still produce something meaningful? And how does one deal with the offspring born out of such complex and unsatisfied relationships? Raka confronts these issues, presenting a compelling narrative that challenges readers to consider the nature of human desires and relationships.