"Shabari", named after the protagonist, is the story of an educated middle-class
woman whose life spans pre-and post-independent India. The novel shows how her
life transforms through marriage and family, dealing with the tensions inherent
in a 'love- arranged' marriage, the changing attitudes of the newer
materialistic and hypocritical order, the generation gaps and the utter despair
and loss at betrayal. Yet, it is never melodramatic or overtly sentimental.
Extremely believable, "Shahari" is a fine balance between the contrasting and
complementary minds of the man and the woman. It is interesting how Shabari's
education is constantly used against her. The protagonist is never idealised,
she is extremely down-to-earth.