I read the book and enjoyed it. I felt she did a fantastic job of potraying reality: whether it was about Kalimpong at the height of the Gorkhaland movement or her vivid descriptions of underclass life in New York or of being an Indian in pre-independence India and pre-war England. Her characterizations, narrative and easy style were superb in my opinion. I absolutely think the book was worthy of the award. Also, one other point, she potrays Nepalis, or 'Gorkhas' as many of the characters in her book called themselves, in the eyes of Bengalis, which I think is fair game even though it may not be to the liking of some. It is a fact of life that many 'Gorkhas' at that time were not too well off. For a writer who displayed a remarkable understanding of her characters - Nepali, Bengali and English - I find it hard to belive there was any intentional malice in her writing. She was telling it as she saw it. That's what makes great writers in my opinion.