POLITE SOCIETY

Deepti Gupta narrates a novel loosely inspired by Jane Austen's EMMA. Beautiful, rich, and more than a little bored, Delhi socialite Ania Khurana is always on the lookout for a new "project" to keep busy. Currently, she is searching for a match for her friend Dimple. Gupta does an excellent job bringing the members of ultrarich Delhi society to life, subtly distinguishing between old money and the nouveaux riches. Ania is certainly spoiled and occasionally clueless, but she is not malicious. Her basic decency is underscored in Gupta's portrayal of Kamya Singh-Kaul, Ania's rival, who is in many ways her opposite. The multitude of characters are never confusing or interchangeable, thanks to Gupta's skill. While the story may not end in a way all find satisfying, Gupta's narration truly shines. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2019]