Mr Kapasi is a tourist guide in Orissa. He is driving an Ambassador. Taking a US settled, Indian born couple Mr and Mrs Das and their 3 children (2 sons, 1 daughter) to show the Sun Temple at Konark. While returning they stop at a hill side. The 3 kids start playing with the monkeys around. One child (Rohan) gets surrounded by a group of monkeys and handles the situation bravely as compared to the other two. Mr Kapasi admires Rohan’s courage in front of Mrs Das, on hearing which she replies, that Rohan was born not from Mr Das but one of his Punjabi friends, who came to stay with them one-night. So why is it called the Interpreter of Maladies ? Because --- On weekends Mr Kapasi works as an interpreter with a Doctor. He interprets the pains, woes and the sufferings of the local residents to the Doctor, who is not from Orissa. So Mrs Das thought that she would get some comfort from Mr Kapasi, who is the first person to know this little secret. Mr Kapasi may have been able to interpret maladies of ill patients, but when it came to comforting an internal wound he failed miserably.
This is the main story in the book. There are also other stories, about a childless bengali couple, settled in Boston, husband still studying at the age of 35, there is one about a neglected old woman in Kolkatta, who serves everyone in an apartment, but gets neglected in return. There is also one about an extra marital. All these stories are very touching. They reveal the real meaning of life, about relationships, love hate and ego. Its a must read !! Collection of very short stories, but very well-compiled. I have read it 7 times and still reading.... Though this is the only novel written by Jhumpa right now. But, she has a class of her own. Looking forward to more from her. The Pulitzer was well-deserved !!

Plot Revealed In The Review:	Revealed in detail
Purchase Price (INR):	195
Purchased From:	Book Store