Book Description

Meet the members of the Sunset Club: Pandit Preetam Sharma; Nawab Barkatullah Baig and Sardar Boota Singh. Friends for over forty years; they are now in their eighties. And every evening; at the sunset hour; they sit together on a bench in Lodhi Gardens to exchange news and views on the events of the day; talking about everything from love; lust; sex and scandal to religion and politics. As he follows a year in the lives of the three men—from January 26 2009 to January 26 2010—Khushwant Singh brings his characters vibrantly to life; with his piquant portrayals of their fantasies and foibles; his unerring ear for dialogue and his genius for capturing the flavour and texture of everyday life in their households. Interwoven with this compelling human story is another chronicle – of a year in the life of India; as the country goes through the cycle of seasons; the tumult of general elections; violence; natural disasters and corruption in high places. In turn ribald and lyrical; poignant and profound; The Sunset Club is a deeply moving exploration of friendship; sexuality; old age and infirmity; a joyous celebration of nature; an insightful portrait of India’s paradoxes and complexities. A masterpiece from one of India’s most-loved storytellers; The Sunset Club will have you in tears and laughter; and grip you from the first page to the last.