The novel follows four families during 18 months, and centres on Mrs. Rupa Mehra\'s efforts to arrange the marriage of her younger daughter, Lata, to a "suitable boy". Lata is a 19-year-old university student who refuses to be influenced by her domineering mother or opinionated brother, Arun.

Sean Rogan is waiting for freedom. Convicted of staging jailbreaks for his former compatriots, he's just biding his time until his pardon comes through as the fighting finally begins to cease. But he doesn't get a pardon--he gets a daring breakout when his old IRA commander, Colum O'More, arranges for his escape.