Himjug by Smaranjit Chakrabarty [Hardcover]

The Ice Age is returning again. Snow is accumulating in the hearts of people. Rukmrath, who took a job from Kolkata to the hills, witnesses an Ice Age descending in the life and family of the renowned writer Meghadri Chattopadhyay. It seems his wife, Jaya, is present yet absent. His older brother, Himadri, is mentally unwell. His daughter from his first marriage, Kutu, is constantly torn by an unspoken rage and hatred, and like herself, she wishes to tear apart everyone around her. Enter Sudarshan, a handsome professor from the college, who is gradually drawn to Jaya. This young admirer of Meghadri becomes increasingly attracted to his wife. Amidst all this, Meghadri’s only daughter, Basu, survives like a small grass flower. The ailing Meghadri realizes that the one who once triumphed through love is gradually turning into an enemy. He also feels that his daughter is distancing herself from him. And amidst all these fractures stands like a symbol, an old vintage car. The cold, hardened story of hatred, resentment, and betrayal in a small hill town seems to mirror the tales of the people of today’s time. Yet, despite all this, the only way to overcome is through love, friendship, and trust - this is the message that the novel Himayug reminds us of once again.