I am married. But I don’t have a child clinging to me. Does that make me childfree or childless?

The absence of something of such great significance can’t be described by a simple word like vacant. The absence is actually the removal of the object and something else, something intangible, from the observer himself.

The stories in this book feature people of Indian origin living in India, the United States and Singapore. Each story explores a challenge or dilemma that is both particular and universal. A wife who is unexpectedly pregnant. A woman who finally understands the nuances of her aunt’s conservative views. Loss of a cherished friendship. Reclaiming long-forgotten dreams. A young woman’s inner monologue regarding an “arranged date.” Stories that create the ethos and illuminate the rich tapestry of multicultural Singapore society.

Each story draws an unforgettable portrait of the woman next door. With insight and luminous prose, Ranjani Rao has created characters that are unique while also being universal.

Readers looking for authentic narratives will not want to miss this book.