Parvati
Parvati is part of the first short story in the collection, "The Cleft". She is a widow and she is a state of grief and sorrow. She is dragged by her terribly overruling and controlling sister-in-law to her late mother-in-law's funeral. It is not a pleasant time for Parvati. However, she insists to bring her young, Indian maid with her along. During the journey, she encourages the maid to escape and make a life for herself, a free life of her own.
Munnu
Munnu is part of the story "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie". Throughout the story, he struggles to find a rather sensitive way to confront and deal with a very skilled shoplifter and habitual offender. At the same time, Munnu tries hard to keep his wife busy for the fear arrises that she will eventually decide to "take a job in Dr. Pradhan’s pediatric clinic."
Prabin
Prabin is part of the story "A Father's Journey" in which he fawns over and spoils his daughter Supriya. He loves her dearly and is a dedicated father. However, he feels that the newer generation that his daughter was born into doesn't understand or appreciate the caste system that played and plays such a big role in his life. But Prabin is pleasantly surprised when Supriya "eventually decides to marry her Brahmin boyfriend Sahil". It looks good for Prabin and his daughter. He is very pleased. But things take a turn for the worst when Prabin discovers a terrible dark side to Sahil, and Prabin must figure out a way to deal with this newfound issue.
Rajiv
Rajiv is part of "Missed Blessing". He is in a rush and frenzy to prepare his flat for his visiting relatives, to make it as comfortable and welcoming as possible for his guests. However, as he deals with this issue, he is faced with the struggle to avoid being converted by American missionaries.
Anamika
Anamika is part of the story "No Land is Her Land". She has been forced off her family's land in Bhutan and is placed in a refugee camp at Khudunabari. There she stays for 13 years. She has grown to love the place and calls it her home. However, soon an opportunity for resettling in America arises and it seems very hopeful for Anamika and her family. However, before they can go, Anamika and her family are required to be interviewed by an American caseworker. Though things look hopeful, problems seem to be arising as the fear of her husband ruining the interview is introduced into the picture.
The Ghurka's Daughter
The Ghurka's Daughter has secrets. A lot of secrets. In fact, she actually collects them for herself. She tells her best friend, Gita, those secrets. However, there is one that she cannot tell her. That secret is that she and Gita are connected through a special kinship bond in their families called mitini. She doesn't tell Gita in order to make sure the bad fate in her astrological chart avoids her and reaches Gita instead.
Mother in Passing Fancy
A mother with three children has successfully settled them all in the United States. She is content and relieved that the hardest parts are now over. She retires from her job in the government and feels much more relaxed. She lives her life in peace and slowly finds herself developing a beautiful and sweet relationship with her neighbor. His name is Mr. Bhattarai and he is an excellent artist with a special gift. One day on a walk, he gives the mother a painting he made of her, for her. She is touched, but as she looks at the extremely accurate replica of her whole demeanor and external look, "she is confronted by what she sees."
Sabitri and Amit
Sabitri and Amit are part of the story "The Immigrants". Amit is well off in the United States; he has made a comfortable life for himself with a good job, working on his visa, and with a white maid to take care of his household responsibilities and to cook him food. However, he misses the food from his hometown dearly. So when Sabitri coincidentally enters his life, he hires her to be his cooking maid and she makes all the foods that he missed. They soon become close and find shelter in each other, both with a similar cultural background and upbringing.
