RUMBLE IN A VILLAGE: A Novel by by Luc Leruth, Jean Drèze [Hardcover]

Rumble in a Village follows Anil Singh, a banker from London who returns to his ancestral village, Palanpur, after the death of his uncle, only to discover he is the sole heir to his uncle’s property. Encouraged by his girlfriend, Pat, Anil hopes to reconnect with his roots and perhaps publish a coffee-table book featuring his photographs of village life. However, his journey takes a darker turn when he learns that his uncle was murdered, and a Dalit domestic worker named Needs is arrested as the prime suspect. As Anil navigates the complexities of rural life, he encounters a host of colorful characters, including the village headman and an insightful farmer, while also grappling with issues like caste politics, corruption, and gender disparity. What begins as a murder mystery evolves into a rich and entertaining exploration of the challenges and vibrancy of village life in northern India, offering both humor and critical social commentary.