Contents: I. Society and self in the novels of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala: Preface. Introduction. 1. To whom she will. 2. The nature of passion. 3. Esmond in India. 4. The householder. 5. Get ready for battle. 6. A backward place. 7. A new dominion. 8. Heat and dust. II. Society and self in the novels of Kamala Markandaya: 9. Nectar in a sieve. 10. A handful of rice. 11. Some inner fury. 12. A silence of desire. 13. Possession. 14. The coffer dams. 15. The nowhere man. 16. Two virgins. 17. The golden honeycomb. 18. A pleasure city. Conclusion. Index.

"This book critically deals with a very beautiful and realistic portrayal of society and self in the novels of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and Kamala Markandaya. It examines almost all the novels of both the writers. In order to make the points clear, the writer has copiously quoted some relevant lines from different books. The book also contains two sides of social order of Indian society as depicted by the above authors. The book, it is hoped, will certainly be welcomed by all teachers, students and research scholars." (jacket)