Booker Prize for Heat & Dust, by R. P. Jhabvala

Heat and Dust is a forbidden love story between a newly married Englishwoman, Olivia and a Nawab, a minor Indian prince.  Olivia moves to colonial Indian in 1923 with her British civil servant, Douglas.  This is a novel of powerful yet quiet, majestic beauty.  Heat & Dust contrasts the social constraints & lifestyles of British society and those of India in early 20th C.  More importantly, it  confronts the demise of India's culture under British Imperialism.  Oliva's restless & reckless story is told by Douglas' granddaughter from his 2nd marriage who discovers her letters and retraces Oliva's steps through India while keeping a compelling journal of her own.  Douglas' granddaughter learns of the harsh lives in India by her Indian landlord, "Nothing human means anything here. Not a thing." Olivia lears of Douglas attempt to prevent the India religious practise of suttee.  Indian woman who become widowed are placed upon their husband's funeral pyre.  Though barberic, Olivia does questions British  interferance with India's cultural practices. "It's part of their religion isn't it?  I thought one wasn't supposed to meddle with that.  And quiet apart from religion, it is their culture and who are we to interfere with anyone's culture, especially an ancient one like theirs."  Jhabvala's impressive novel reveals a compelling look at Anglo-Indian relationships.  It's also a penetrating look at India's past and present.