Synopsis "Offspring a Novel"
DescriptionAmbala, 1918: At a time when adults rarely stepped out of the city, Rohan Lalwas the boy setting sail for Sydney, Australia.When Professor Hardayal approaches him with an acceptance offer from theAustralian Academy of Sciences, Rohan is apprehensive at the thought of a vastocean separating him from his family. Bearing the pain of separation, Baoji, Ma and Bhai advise Rohan to take the leap and turn his life around. Soon, thefive years at the Academy come to an end and the thought of returning homecrosses Rohan's mind. But the fear of being separated from the love of his life, Jenny-his mentor Professor Hubertson's niece-and the promise of betterwork opportunities in Paris, keep him away from home some more. Life, work and love take this once shaken, unsure youth on another adventure - thistime around to Glendale, Ontario.Further away from his home and family now, Rohan spends most of his wakingmoments hoping and praying to return home with Jenny. What once began asa five-year separation from his family in India, now felt like an unending exile.The intermittent trips and the handwritten letters he regularly exchangedwith Bhai did lessen his guilt of abandoning his ageing parents, yet his constantturmoil made him wonder if he had made a mistake by not moving back at theright time...A victim of his own decisions and struggling to tie the two ends of his family, Rohan feels stuck in a paradoxical world of his own making. Each day prayingthat he had not, in fact, committed the sin of breaking up his family. Apoignant debut novel, Offspring is a testament to family ties, love and tradition.
