New Delhi, Oct. 19 -- Contrary to the experience of the Baudelaire children in Lemony Snicket's series of popular books, the unnamed protagonist of academic and screenwriter Rupleena Bose's debut novel, Summer of Then, experiences a series of fortunate events. And yet, none of it makes her happy.

When the novel opens in 2010, she is an aspiring academic and writer. She is one of many ad-hoc teachers at Delhi University, while also working on a PhD. She is in a relationship with a successful photographer, Nikhil. In Delhi, a rich friend kindly allows her to stay in her house in an upscale neighbourhood. Her marriage to Nikhil later in the novel provides her financial security and access to privileged spaces that would be beyond the means ...