Two cousins, Sudha and Anju, are born on the same day, and share a
mystical bond. When Anju was born she was placed on the stomach of
her aunt who was in labor; it was Anju's wailing that inspired
Sudha to finally come forth.

Sudha is beautiful; Anju is not. Anju is the daughter of an upper
caste Calcutta family; Sudha is the child of the black sheep of the
same family. Anju's mother is hardworking and responsible; Sudha's
is not. Anju is polite and kind; Sudha is the more rebellious of
the two.

But from the day of their birth, they are sisters of the heart. At
one point, Anju says, "I can never stop loving Sudha. It's my
habit, and it's my fate...Because I called her into the world and,
therefore must do all I can to make sure she is happy."

But the family falls on difficult times, and both girls are
encouraged to enter into arranged marriages. Sudha wants to run
away and elope with a man she loves, but she discovers that, if she
does so, she will ruin Anju's opportunity for a happy
marriage.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni has written an intense, powerful book
about the close relationships that women form with each other. The
story is absolutely unforgettable, and it will keep you thinking
about your own relationships with your friends and relatives, and
just how far you would go to protect them.