Semi-autobiographical, this is a story about Janaki (Janu) a Keralite brought up in Delhi. Married-off at eighteen she forsakes her first love Arjun for a loveless, tyrannical, marriage in her native South India. Her meek acceptance of the 'Ancient Promises' made in previous lives.

However the reality of life with her new extended family does not live up to expectations.

After the birth of her daughter, Riya, a child with special needs, Janu realises that she can no longer live trapped in a cold marriage with a spineless husband and domineering mother-in-law. Jaishree Misra tells the reader in the acknowledgements that this is where the autobiography ends. She thanks "Daya Misra - my beautiful feisty mother-in-law, for showing me how to be brave". Daya Misra is obviously quite unlike Janu's domineering mother-in-law, Mrs Padmaja Maraar, who is more interested in maintaining "appearances" among their South Indian society than in Janu or her grand daughter Riya.

Janu plans to leave India for America to continue her studies and find a "special needs" school for her daughter Riya. However a chance meeting with her old love sees her deciding on a divorce and fleeing to England with Arjun.

She is forced to leave behind her daughter with her ex-husband, Suresh. Determined to get Janu back he uses his daughter Riya as a weapon. This part of the narrative is probably a fairly common story of divorce among Indian and western couples alike.

What I liked about the book was the transformation of the character from an eighteen-year-old witless young bride, to a stronger, warmer, more determined Janu. It takes courage to continue studying and secretly planning and plotting whilst living in a larger household.

The book explains well the bonds of family and what filial duty means in the Asian culture. It also explores the differences in cultural attitudes between the "Malayalis" of the South and the "Delhi-ites" of the North. It really is about Janu no longer accepting the "ancient promises" of race & culture, but more those of "love".

This book is not just another story about arranged marriage. It is a tale about how Indian women can escape from miserable marriages. A task, no doubt difficult if you are under educated or less determined than Janu.

Janu is racked with guilt at every stage: a feeling probably shared by most women. Guilt about bringing shame onto her family, her guilt at having a handicapped child, guilt at not being loved for who she is, guilt at leaving her daughter. One particular description of her grandmother's "ancestral home of 40-watt sadness" is particularly poignant. Trauma, fear, loneliness and guilt are all emotions brought out in the book.

All the characters are believable. Even Janu's husband, Suresh, makes a supreme effort to look after his daughter by himself. One might question his motives but the act is both commendable and understandable.

Suffice to say there is a happy ending, this book is meant to be a modern day love story after all!

A book to read, re-read and savour.

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