China Room

Mehar, a young bride in rural Punjab, is trying to discover the identity of her new husband. It is 1929, and she and her sisters-in-law – married to three brothers in a single ceremony – spend their days hard at work on the family farm, sequestered from contact with the men.

When Mehar develops a theory as to which of them is hers, a passion is ignited that will put more than one life at risk.

Spiralling around Mehar’s story is that of a young man who in 1999 flees from England to the deserted sun-scorched farm. Can a summer spent learning of love and of his family’s past give him the strength for the journey home?

Awards

Shortlisted for the 2022 Rathbones Folio Prize
Longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize
Longlisted for the 2022 Walter Scott Prize
Longlisted for the 2021 Ondaatje Prize

Reviews

A Book of the Year for The Times, Guardian and Daily Telegraph

‘A multi-generational masterpiece’ – Daily Mail

‘Moving…fresh and nourishing’ – The Times

‘Amazing storytelling…gripping and very moving’ BBC Radio 4, Open Book

‘A gorgeous, gripping read’ Kamila Shamsie

‘I’m blown away by it’ Tessa Hadley

‘The stuff of miracles’ Bryan Washington