ABOUT THE BOOK: NOT EXACTLY SHANGRI-LA
To Huma's dismay, it appeared as if the subdued atmosphere had even infected
Timothy Curtin, who sat there mute like the rest of them, with his eyes lowered.
Feeling that she had somehow helped him on the previous evening to face the
responsibilities that had brought him here, she hoped he would be able to stand
up for himself now if any of the high officials turned nasty. Shenoticed that he
was growing a beard, and the skin on his face wasblotchy and peeling badly,
evidently the result of sitting too longin the easily underestimated Kalapur
sun. It all gave him