The Pleasure Seekers

August, 1968: Babo Patel arrives in London from Madras, with curly hair, jhill mill teeth and dreams of becoming a success. When he meets the beautiful, auburn-haired Siân Jones, he falls in love instantly. She, like him, is in search of something bigger than what the home she left behind can offer.

But when Babo's parents learn of his intention to marry ‘some girl from God knows where' he is given an ultimatum: he can only marry Siân if they agree to live in Madras for two years before returning to London. As the years pass by, the calamities, quirks and heartaches of first love, lost innocence, and old age unfold across cultures and generations of this mixed-up family in a topsy-turvy world.

“'This is a captivating, delightful novel. I was totally engaged by Tishani Doshi's people and by their world, and the language often rises - when speaking of the great matters, life, death, and above all love - to powerful metaphorical heights'”

Salman Rushdie 'Brimming with tender humour ... the novel dances its people across barriers of race and nation' Independent 'Intensely charming ... a seductive and lovable novel: it is about pleasure sought and, more importantly, pleasure found' Guardian 'Cross-cultural love story that spans three decades ... Laced with charm, and instantly familiar, this is top drawer comfort reading' Financial Times

Tishani Doshi is a poet and dancer based in Madras, India. Her first collection of poetry, Countries of the Body, won the Forward Poetry Prize for best first collection in 2006. The Pleasure Seekers is her first novel.

August, 1968: Babo Patel arrives in London from Madras, with curly hair, jhill mill teeth and dreams of becoming a success. When he meets the beautiful, auburn-haired Sian Jones, he falls in love instantly. She, like him, is in search of something bigger than what the home she left behind can offer...But when Babo's parents learn of his intention to marry 'some girl from God knows where' he is given an ultimatum: he can only marry Sian if they agree to live in Madras for two years before returning to London. As the years pass by, the calamities, quirks and heartaches of first love, lost innocence, and old age unfold across cultures and generations of this mixed-up family in a topsy-turvy world...'This is a captivating, delightful novel. I was totally engaged by Tishani Doshi's people and by their world, and the language often rises - when speaking of the great matters, life, death, and above all love - to powerful metaphorical heights.' - Salman Rushdie..'Cross-cultural love story that spans three decades . Laced with charm, and instantly familiar, this is top drawer comfort reading.' - Financial Times..'Brimming with tender humour. the novel dances its people across barriers of race and nation.' - Independent..'Intensely charming .. a seductive and lovable novel: it is about pleasure sought and, more importantly, pleasure found.' - Guardian

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