Ruthvika Rao’s debut novel, “The Fertile Earth,” which goes on sale later this year, offers readers an immersive experience into the complexities of love and resistance amidst a tumultuous political landscape in India, per us.macmillan.com.
Set against the backdrop of post-Independence India, the story follows the lives of two young individuals, Vijaya and Krishna, whose paths intertwine across social divides.
Vijaya and Sree, daughters of the influential Deshmukhs of Irumi, enjoy the privileges of aristocracy, while Krishna and Ranga, sons of a widowed servant in the Deshmukh household, navigate life from a different perspective. Despite the vast differences in their social standings, Vijaya and Krishna forge a deep bond that transcends societal expectations.
However, their innocence is shattered when a misguided attempt to hunt down a man-eating tiger leads to disastrous consequences, altering the course of their lives forever. As violent uprisings and political turmoil engulf the countryside, Vijaya and Krishna find themselves entangled in a web of class warfare and ideological conflict.
‘The Fertile Earth’/us.macmillan.com“The Fertile Earth” explores themes of love, loyalty and justice against the backdrop of India’s evolving political landscape. Ruthvika Rao’s narrative prowess captures the intricacies of human relationships amidst the chaos of historical change. With vivid prose and compelling characters, the novel delves into questions of identity, morality, and the enduring power of love.
Critics have hailed “The Fertile Earth” as a masterpiece of storytelling, praising Rao’s ability to weave together historical context with personal narrative. Margot Livesey, bestselling author of “The Flight of Gemma Hardy,” describes the novel as “compulsively readable,” while Angela Flournoy, author of “The Turner House,” applauds Rao’s “astonishing, intelligent epic.”
