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Kenneth Langer A Nest For Lalita by Ken Langer
Meen Kaul is riding high in her position as director of BeheraHouse, a safe haven in India for women who have survived domesticviolence. But when the stock market crashes, Meena loses her fundingfor a new campus. Seeing an opportunity to win women's votes beforea national election, the Hindu Democratic Party (HDP) steps in with amultimillion-dollar grant.Meena's worst fears come to pass as the nationalist Hindu party winsthe election and begins to chip away at a hundred years of progress onwomen's rights. Meanwhile, Simon Bliss, America's foremost "green"architect, arrives to design the flagship building of the new campus.Trapped in a stalled marriage, Simon falls for the bright and alluringMeena and is quickly sucked into the perilous world of Indian politics.In his attempt to loosen the HDP's grip on Meena and win her affection, Simon spars with reactionary politicians, crooked priests, andsleazy businessmen who will stop at nothing to protect their interests.In the process, Simon comes face to face with disturbing truths about hisown past, and Meena finds herself trapped in a way she could have neverexpected.Langer has written an emotionally charged novel complete with forbiddenlove, murder, and corporate greed-all against the backdrop ofan ancient country trying to find its identity in a fast-changing world.