KT NY writes: "I know [Elle Magazine's review is] not the NY Times Book Review, but its a mainstream publication nonetheless." For your information, the NY Times is INDEED coming out with a review of Samrat's latest book soon. Once that review comes out, it will make Samrat the FIRST Nepali writer to have ALL three of his books reviewed by the NYT. A small routine achievement, to be sure! As for discerning Samrat's talents as a writer perhaps other 'writer-ly' Nepalis, who seem to have major-league publishers banging on their door for manuscripts, can do so more authoritatively here than I, as a mere reader, ever can. oohi ashu