Climbing the Stairs

In British-occupied India, a young girl’s dream defies the limitations of her society.

“This novel vivifies a unique era and culture as it movingly expresses how love and hope can blossom even under the most dismal of circumstances.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Venkatraman paints an intricate and convincing backdrop of a conservative Brahmin home in a time of change.”—Booklist, starred review

What if your only dream was forbidden?

Fifteen-year-old Vidya dreams of going to college, an unusual aspiration for a girl living in British-occupied India during World War II. But then tragedy strikes, and Vidya and her family are forced to live with their relatives in a traditional household, where women are meant to be married, not educated. Breaking the rules, she finds solace in her grandfather’s library. Here she meets Raman, who treats Vidya like an equal and encourages her education. Then Vidya’s brother leaves unexpectedly, and Vidya’s life gets caught up in political and personal turmoil.

In the midst of all this chaos, will Vidya be able to hold on to her dreams and make them a reality?