Religion and business have dominated Marwari homes for centuries and still continue to do so. Men rarely adhere to strict business hours as work relentlessly. Still they are very family oriented. Family does not mean one’s wife and children but it extends to grand parents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, often staying together and for whom they feel equally responsible. The talents, intelligence and strengths of Marwari women go unrecognized and underestimated. Traditions, religion, dogmas, values and elders – Marwari girls are not only dominated by them but also by the vague perceptions of the munims, servants and the constant fear of what people will say. Radha rejects her mother’s religious beliefs, but succumbs to tradition. Her daughters though, accept their grand-mother readily and wholeheartedly. Krishna the older one, toes the line like her mother. Rukmini, the younger one, manoeuvres her way to find a place for herself. But is she accepted by the household and the society? Set in the pre-independence and post-independence scenarios and spanning three generations, Stolen Sunshine delves into the delicate interpersonal relationships in a typical, traditional Marwari family, and each girl’s individual reaction to the same situation. The book is divided into thirteen chapters presenting a well-knit plot. The treatment of the subject matter is superb and there is continuous flow of events.
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