Cracked Glass Jar and other stories – Chandra Latha, Translated from Telugu by C.L.L. Jayaprada

These fifteen stories reflect contemporary cultural changes in Indian families. They stand witness to social, political and economic changes in globalized India and are in a way histories told from below. The writer’s interests are wide-ranging from children and women issues to unethical practices in professions, to devastation of farmers’ lives and to environmental degradation. Her empathy with the world of nature, keen observation of little creatures and plants and trees is unparalleled, and nature is the real friend to her lonely characters. However, damaging the current divisive and destructive forces are, her characters fight against these at times boldly and at others quietly, and live in hope and find happiness while playing positive role in other’s lives.