I am Om

the long version

"Veena Damle has performed two sorts of miracles in this, her premier novel: first, she blended East and West; second, she has blended realism with fairy tale. The vehicle she has chosen to accomplish her task is the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata-or Mahabharat, in Damle's Bombay dialect. As young Manju's grandfather, Azoba, relates the never-ending struggle of Mahabharat, a similar struggle is developing in the Sathe household as Manju's mother yearns for fame and the attention of a prominent surgeon. Manju's father, aware of the entanglements his wife is creating, wrestles with understanding his dharma, while Azoba strives for his final release into samadhi. Manju herself proves to be an admirable combatant in these struggles, worthy of her hero, the Archer Prince."--BOOK JACKET.