Sun Grass

Sun Grass  — Novel Synopsis

Eighty-four chapters, 75,000 words: Literary/philosophical fiction for adolescents and adults.

The adventures of twin sisters Shanti and Sumati begin when they respond to an invitation for a reunion from their guardian, who lives in a faraway land called Udaya. Recently orphaned for the second time, the girls set out on a cross-country journey, each with their own agenda—Shanti, the philosophical sister, is searching for inspiration for her writing; Sumati, fascinated by herbs, is searching for a legendary plant known as Sun Grass, which is rumoured to provide eternal life.

             As soon as the girls set foot into the strange land, they realize they are in a totally different world—Udaya boasts no electricity, no cars, and no technological conveniences. The sisters may be able to get by without the modern comforts they take for granted, but they must find ways to deal with their feelings of loneliness, uncertainty, and fear.

           Throughout their four-season trek, the twins surmount the terrifying obstacles they encounter as they come to understand more about themselves, each other, and life itself. Enduring many hardships, they realize that their journey to the summit of the Snow Mountains is not solely a matter of survival, but a blossoming into adulthood. The twins learn what it means to be fully alive while conquering both environmental and psychological challenges. Moreover, their relations with the locals in the seemingly backward Udaya lead to new experiences as the sisters come to appreciate a simpler life and the true joy of unconditional happiness.

Three-quarters of the way to their destination, after triumphing over some of the most adverse and frightening circumstances imaginable, Sumati loses her eyesight due to acute glaucoma. Shanti, the nervous sister, must leave her behind in a cave and continue the journey all by herself. She falls from a cliff, and survives thanks to the help of a mysterious yogi.

        After Shanti recovers, she returns to her sister, and together they find the extraordinary Sun Grass that restores Sumati’s eyesight. Each step the sisters take through the harsh environments of Udaya symbolizes the steps they take spiritually. While their journey is not without struggle, heartbreak, and setbacks, they press forward to find out the identity of their guardian as well as the purpose behind their invitation.