Mirage

Contents: Preface. Mirage. Glossary.

"Set in the tea plantations of Sri Lanka, Mirage traces the lives of Valli and her family, migrants from a village in Tamil Nadu in search of a better livelihood. The novel depicts the lives of indentured labourers working in these plantations and explores the social structure and the norms of plantation life-- an arena defined by economic and sexual exploitation.

Through Valli's world, we gain insight into the complex social relationships--between husband and wife, parent and child, worker and supervisor, friend and neighbour - in these remote plantations.

Mirage, translated from the Tamil Thoorathu Pachai, records human dignity in the face of human brutality. The novel chronicles a hitherto ignored piece of human history."