Khushwant Singh - one writer who can shock a reader out of their senses without alienating them. His writing style has be tagged everything on the spectrum - from brilliant to scandalous. Whatever may be the case, he is one of the most important English language writers of this century. He has tackled ever subject from religion to politics. His capabilities are unlimited from fiction to non-fiction.
Enough said about the writer. I picked this book due to its title. Being a Delhi born myself, I was more then curious to find more about one of the most fascinating world destinations. This book is a delicate balance of fiction and non-fiction. It chronicles the history of New Delhi from the eyes of an old Sikh guide - Mr. Singh. His passionate romance with Bhagmati - a hermaphrodite and a representation of Delhi is beautifully paralleled. It progresses with chapters divided in narrations by poets, sultans, soldiers, white memsahibs. Laden with every possible creative/literary technique, this book is a must read for those interested in world fiction, socio-cultural studies, world history... and more.