The House of Lakshmi Chatterjee

About the Book

The House of Lakshmi Chatterjee takes place on a single day in 1968. Set in Calcutta, India, it explores the mind of a young woman–an American expatriate—as she tries to come to terms with who she is in the midst of a world she could scarcely have imagined. The narrative alternates between present and past – between her efforts to plan a party for the evening of September 29 and her memories of previous years. Despite herself, she becomes “house-mother” to a motley collection of people--including a ghost!--who are drawn, for a variety of reasons, to the House of Lakshmi Chatterjee in the heart of Calcutta. Together, they represent a broad cultural spectrum–Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Tibetan Buddhist, and atheist. Even Mother Teresa gets into the act!

About the Author

Helen Lavinia Underwood, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, has taught writing at both the secondary and college levels. She holds degrees from Martin Methodist College, Middle Tennessee State University, and Rutgers University. More Than The Eye Can See is her third publishing venture, and her first memoir. Her novels, Under Cedar Shades, and The House of Lakshmi Chatterjee, continue to receive accolades. A published poet, she has also written numerous short stories. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with her husband Joel. They delight in their three children and seven grandchildren.