Dawn: A Novel - Softcover

Set in the heady years preceding independence, Dawn is the story of young Binapani growing up in a small Assamese town. Headstrong,stubborn and high-spirited, this independent minded girl is confronted with a world full of confusing questions: why are girls not allowed to study? Why is the nationalist hero, Bullet Kaka hidden away in her grandmother's shed? Whydoes Mahendra Barua's family suffer such humiliation and indignity? Why is therich Haitha Sarai feted and fawned upon by the townspeople? Why is his daughter tied up and starved in a dark room just because she loves Jatin? Why is the Christian boy, Ratan, an out caste? Her young mind grapples with countless questions and through it all is the abiding relationship she shares with her old grandmother, Jashodha. She is married off to the rich Chaliha whom she has always hated. A lifetime passes in waiting and work and the spark of joy that once lit her being is almost snuffed out,until she once again encounters Ratan, now Father Mac Pherlin. She then realizes that despite all the strife and pain the world is still a beautiful place and once again falls in love with a newly awakening world.