Dasgupta, Rana

This book is highly recommended for anyone looking for background information on Delhi, as Dasgupta puts forth arguable theories about the city's history and the Punjabi psyche. Still, the author's account of the downside of the post-1991 free market economy and the pursuit of self-interest above all serves as a cautionary tale, doing for Delhi what Suketu Mehta's Maximum City accomplished for Mumbai.

The sedimentary structure—layering stories of opportunity and oppression—makes Solo a double pleasure: readers can enjoy Dasgupta's imagination but must also confront problems of celebrity and commerce. Part historical fiction, part heartbreak, part pop culture; think Aleksandar Hemon.