Thunder Demons

Long-listed for the Man Asian Literary Prize 2009 Set against the backdrop of conflicting cultures, political turbulence, and a deep sense of belonging to the contradictions that form Malaysia, Agni is struggling to comprehend her relationship with the land she calls home. Abhik - her childhood friend and new lover, is supportive of her quest to unbolt dark secrets from her past about her mother's death, but the only man who can answer her questions is Jay Ghosh - for he still wears her mother's demon's teeth around his neck. Jay had been there with Shanti the evening she died. When Jay lands in Malaysia after thirty years - summoned by Colonel S, his mentor and father figure - Jay realises, as does Agni, that nothing is as it seems. Each must fight larger demons, for there are greater things at stake. 'With astonishing honesty, Dipika Mukherjee's 'Thunder Demons' exposes modern Malaysia's ugliest secrets in a page-turner of a tale about loyalty, love, family, memory, and the role of politics in the lives of ordinary human beings. This book will open the eyes of non-Malaysians and break the hearts of Malaysians by forcing us to confront what our country has become.' -- Preeta Samarasan 'With a strong cast of characters, 'Thunder Demons' unveils Malaysia as it grapples with tradition in the face of globalisation, especially over the issue of who is a “bumiputra†. Combining themes of communal violence, religion and identity, this is a racy and dramatic story of love and betrayal.' -- Kishwar Desai