ABOUT THE NOVEL
"It's all a matter of pure luck.
The vageries of life are hard to predict. Look at you. Sukanya is the
kind of woman that every man would love to marry. She has made you so
happy, filled your life with the flowers of her love, made it a happy
journey. Only a God-fearing man would be so lucky." Ron was shocked
by Shashank's laughter, a laugh that had an undercurrent of unnamed sorrow.
Ron looked at Shashank, perplexed. Finishing his drink Shashank placed
his glass on a side table. His face was clouded with grief. Ron, who had
seen the look in Shashank's face, asked, "Shashank, what is the problem?
You look so sad. Does this have something to do with the reason you called
me here?"
Shashank nodded slowly. "Something terrible has happened and I am
totally shattered. I need to talk about it to someone and you are the
only person I trust."
"What is it?"
"I have been betrayed by Sukanya…"
-Excerpt from Ordeal of Innocence by Jayanti M. Dalal
When everything is lost in a single heartbreaking moment, can it ever be regained?
This is the question posed in Ordeal of Innocence by Jayanti M. Dalal. Overwhelmingly received when first published in India, this first-ever English translation of Ordeal of Innocence marks Mr.Dalal's U.S. debut. He tells the tale of Shashank and Sukanya, a well-to-do Indian couple whose lives are shattered when they must live with the aftermath of a violent crime. Forced to live apart, Shashank and Sukanya struggle to build new lives, each unable to forget the other and wondering if the love they shared will ever be restored.
Rich with the color and tradition of Indian colture, Ordeal of Innocence is a remarkable tale that explores the many facets and forms of human relationships, as well as the indomitable nature of the human spirit.
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How could one stormy night lead to a lifetime of tragedy and heartache?
Shashank and Sukanya are a happily married well-to-do Indian couple living in America. Their lives are perfect until the birth of their first child, Laxmi. Due to various misfortunes and misunderstandings, they become estranged and end up worlds apart. Will they ever be able to regain the life and love they shared together?
Jayanti M. Dalal's Ordeal of Innocence weaves a yarn of personal relationships with emotional despair and triumph to create a compelling narrative that resonates with Indian culture. Through Shashank and Sukanya, Dalal examines the precariousness of human relationships, whether they are through marriage, friendship, or family, and offers insight into the human spirit.
Follow Shashank and Sukanya as they struggle to survive an ordeal of innocence.
Jayanti M. Dalal is the author of twenty-two books in his native India. He continues to reside in Mumbai, where he is currently at work on his next novel 'Spatial Echoes'.
* * * * *
Forthcoming Novel by
Jayanti M. Dalal
Spatial Echoes
What if the third World War breaks out? Could it be averted? Could the
super powers that have nuclear weaponry control the religious fanatics
bent upon taking the world to the brink of mass annihilation? Two young
boys - Sanatan and Iqbal-one Hindu and the other Muslim, living in a sleepy
village of pre-partition India were nurtured with ideals of patriotism
and service to humanity
After the partition of India, the boys were separated as Iqbal's family
migrated to Pakistan. As decades pass, both become renowned scientists
in their respective countries. In the meantime, the third World War breaks
out. Will either of them succeed in hatching their sinister design?
In Spatial Echoes, Jayanti M .Dalal vividly describes India in the days
before independence, formenting questions of communal harmony, sustenance
of world peace,the future of the world in the nuclear arms race, and the
chessboard gimickries of the super powers bent on taking the world to
the brink of mass destruction.This makes Spatial Echoes quite a fascinating
novel written by an Indian fiction writer. No reader will find it easy
to put down without completing it.
The following Reviews & Criticisms are extracted from the mails received by the Editor of www.Maniben.com
I was looking for an Indian recipe. By chance, I bumped into this portal and found an interesting novel featured here. Being an American African myself, I was especially interested in character of the novel who has been portrayed in the beginning of the novel. That made me read the novel and at last, found it difficult to suppress my urge to express my review.
This work of fiction tells the story of Suykanya and Shashank, a well-to-do Indian couple living in America who are very happily married until the birth of their daughter, Laxmi. Due to various misfortunes and misunderstandings, they become estranged from each other, and by an odd turn of events involving a mob of gangsters, Sukanya winds up separated from her family and living in anonymity in London. Shashank assumes that his wife has eloped with another man, and when he learns the truth and realises his mistake, he is devastated and longs to find her. After years of study, Laxmi becomes a world-renowned cardiologist, and eventually, through her work, she finds Sukanya, and ultimately the family is reunited.
-
Donna Pollock
Baltimore
* * * *
This story is not only a drama; it is tale of romance, and adventure,
and also a cultural work. It offers a good deal of sound advice for handling
difficulties in relationships and also depicts a philosophy of life that,
centres around enduring one's suffering as the will of God.
-
Shanti Rajda
New York
* * * *
Dalal weaves the yarn of personal relationships with that of emotional despair and triumph to create a colourfully compelling narrative that resonates with Indian culture. He examines the precariousness of human relatonship, be they matrimonial, friendship or familial and offers insight into the human spirit.
-
Rajendra Mehta
Ontario,
Canada
* * * *
With a work rich in charecterization, authentic atmosphere and Hindu tradition,
the author whisks reads from the comfort of Long Island to the Mafia underground
of Chicago, from Huston to exotic India to a final destination of London.
With picturesque and ethereal descriptions juxtaposed with bleak underworld,
Dalal presents an artfully written work that, through its myraid of plot
twists and turns, will keep readers deightlully engaged until the novel's
end.
- Shantilal Shah
London
*
* * *
The book is certainly a page turner. Every chapter brings a new twist. I found the style of writting very simple. (It has been transalted in English by Dr.Arpan Desai). But the story is very complex. I do not want to let the plot out, but I can say this that it is a social story with a lot of suspence; it is full of suspense but it is not a crime-novel!
So you can see that the plot works on many different levels. The story takes place on three continents. In three countries mainly - America, India & England. This has given the story a very wide canvas.
The characers experience joy & happiness as well as pain & grief. Mistakes are made, and there is redemption also. There is a constand struggle between the Good and the Bad, which allows for a bit of sermonizing also.
-
Preety Sengupa
New York
*
* * *
A great novel from an Indian author. I have read the Gujarati version
(Original language in which the book was first written) of this book.
The English translation is very good and contains all the facts from the
original book. Let us hope for early release of, 'spatial echoes', a new
book from the author.
-
Navnit Shah,
New
Jersey
RESPONSES FROM WELLWISHERS
Snehi Shree Jayantibhai,
Saprem Namskar.
It was really heartening to note that a Gujarati Novelist's work is being
published in English and that too in USA. This is "GAURAV" of
Gujarat. Please accept my heartiest congratulations.
The subject of your forthcoming novel "SPATIAL ECHOES" is also
very important, I convey my best wishes to you on publication of the novel.
(09-03-2005)
With Regards,
Narendra Modi
Chief Minister, Gujarat State
****
Thank you very much for sending me the copy of 'Ordeal of Innocence'
authored by you. It is really very nice and thoughtful of you to remember
and send me this book. The book is indeed very interesting and informative,
especialy for the newly married couples. You have well narrated the ordeal
of innocence that occurs in daily life in our personal relationship with
others, be it in marriage, friendship, family life. I congratulate and
compliment you in bringing out such a brilliant work and wishing you all
the best in life coupled with good health.
30-3-2005
- Mahavirprasad G. Saraf
****
I am in receipt of your letter dated 21st February, 2005 and your achievement
as great writer of Gajarati language.
It is matter of our pride that a person like you who is born with plastic
industry and now in a totally different field of literature which is a
rare phenomena in one’s life.
We being close to you right from the beginning, we feel quite proud in
your achievements. You were also our Vice President of our Association,
AIPMA and it was really great opportunity of enjoyment with your leadership
and guidance.
From the contents of your letter, I understand that your another Gujarati
novel 'Shoonayavakashmaan Padgha' has now been translated into English
by Mr. Narendra Upadhyaya and the English version is titled 'Spatial Echoes'.
The topic is really great which touches both human as well as universal
soul.
My best wishes are always there with you and your success.
5-5-2005
Arvind Mehta
Past President of AIPMA
Vice
President : Plastindia Foundation
***
I am very pleased and happy to receive your letter dt. 21-1-2005 informing
that your novel 'Ankhane Sagpan Ansoona’ is being published in English
in USA and that you are the first Gujarati writer whose novel is being
published.
I, Dasha Porwad Community and all other Gujarati writers should be proud
of your achievement.
You have uptill now have to your credit 14 Novels, 3 Short Story Collection
& 5 Compilations in such a short period and I hope and pray to Almighty
to give you enough opportunities to publish more & more publications
and to make you a Global writer.
Wishing you all the best.
15-2-2005 Vipin
K. Desai
Past President Kapadvanaj
Dasha Porwad Mitra Mandal,
Mumbai
****
We congratulate you on publishing your novel, Ordeal of Innocence and
announcing publication of Spatial Echoes.
Every Gujarati is proud of your achievements. Please accept best wishes
of all Gujaratis in Delhi.
Dt. 25-2-05 Jagdip
Rana
Shree
Delhi Gujarati Samaj
****
We are the only writers of Gujarat, publishing in Gajarati, Hindi, Marathi
and English.
As we are well interested in writing and publishing, so we always appreciate
such activities done by others.
We are glad to know that being a businessman you have earned such a good
status in the field of literature.
Hope you will jump higher and higher in this new field.
5-3-2005 - Nanubhai Naik
****
Writing these few lines to hope you in pink of good health
& enjoying the best season as this letter leaves me today.
It is a great achievement on your part (i) to get your Gujarati novel
'Ankhane Sagpan Ansoona' translated into English version thro’ Dr.
Desai and (ii) get it published in America - A first Gujarati novel for
the first time & that too in America - This is possible only due to
your sincere efforts coupled with god’s blessings. I am immensely
pleased & have no words to express my feelings.
Dear Brother, I am also very much happy to know about your new ventureviz.
Acrylic Furniture items in India. My heartiest good wishes are always
there in all your present & future undertakings & further that
may you be enshrined with brilliant success as a novelist and an Industrial
entrepreneur.
7-4-2005 -
C. M. Dalal
President Kapadvanaj
Dasha Porwad Mitra Mandal,
Vadodara