A number of separate tales come to be eventually entwined with an additional huge nod to climate interests and problems.
Not my usual type of book choice but I did find it interesting.

This book absolutely wasn’t what I was expecting, and isn’t something I would typically read - just goes to show I should broaden my horizons! Following millennial Indian lawyer Tara as first her family and then that of her close friend Lila is turned upside down by the question of inheritance, it expertly weaves together questions around tradition, female status, the greatest possible good in a world beset by the climate crisis, and the radical possibilities of personal choice. It sounds weighty, but Tara is an invigorating narrator: strong-willed and opinionated, frequently scathing of the men in her Delhi social circle, but also measured and analytical as she explores so many different modes of relating - to each other, to the world, along lines of difference and of commonality. All the characters are brilliantly psychologically realised, which results in an ending that, while retaining a high degree of shock factor, also has a quiet weight and pathos without descending into melodrama. Though dense in both description and introspection, and in some places almost academic in tone, it’s a rigorous but rewarding read, in all ways surprising, refreshing, and thought-provoking.
Thanks to John Murray Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

In Keshava Guha’s The Tiger’s Share, we meet Tara, a successful Delhi lawyer, a stark contrast to her younger brother. Dedicated, independent, and thriving in her career, she embodies modern ambition. When their beloved father calls them both to a meeting upon his retirement, the news he delivers threatens to fracture the family irrevocably.

Tara’s friend, Lila, seemingly has it all: a fulfilling career, a beautiful home, and a loving family. However, the unexpected death of her father triggers a swift and ruthless power grab by her brother, who wastes no time in asserting what he believes is his rightful inheritance.

Through the intertwined stories of Tara and Lila, Guha explores the challenges faced by ambitious women in the patriarchal landscape of contemporary Delhi. The novel delves into the tensions that arise when women strive for success in a society still deeply rooted in traditional gender roles.

Set against a backdrop of ecological crisis and political unrest, The Tiger's Share transcends the typical family drama. It becomes a powerful state-of-the-nation novel, offering a unique and compelling perspective on modern India. This is a work of contemporary Indian fiction that feels both timely and important, offering a nuanced portrayal of family dynamics within a broader social and political context.

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