The Archer

Set in 1970s Bombay, Shruti Swamy's The Archer follows young Vidya as she navigates the complexities of family, love, and artistic ambition against a backdrop of societal expectations. Marked by her mother's mysterious absence and reappearance, Vidya finds solace and purpose in kathak, a traditional dance form, while grappling with her complicated feelings for her best friend. Lyrical and immersive, the novel explores themes of creativity, desire, and the enduring impact of familial ties as Vidya seeks her own identity and artistic transcendence.