The age-old conflicts between father and son are played out in this humorous and gently satirical novel set in postpartition India. Omi is just one of the boys in Camp Baldev Nagar expected to pass his exams, agree to an arranged marriage, and generally improve his station in life. However, he comes to resent the traditional life laid out for him by his hot-blooded, sweet-vending, social-climbing father. Creating a great deal of ill will as he challenges his father's authority, Omi strives to establish his independence and chart his own life. Along the way he surprises everybody, including himself.