PADMA DESAI GREW UP IN THE 1930S IN THE PROVINCIAL WORLD OF SURAT, WHERE SHE HAD A SHELTERED AND STRICT UPBRINGING IN A TRADITIONAL GUJARATI ANAVIL BRAHMIN FAMILY. HER ACADEMIC BRILLIANCE WON HER A SCHOLARSHIP TO BOMBAY UNIVERSITY, WHERE THE FIRST HEADY TASTE OF FREEDOM IN THE BIG CITY LED TO TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES SEDUCTION BY A FELLOW STUDENT WHOM SHE WAS THEN COMPELLED TO MARRY. IN A FAILED ATTEMPT TO END THIS DISASTROUS FIRST MARRIAGE, SHE CONVERTED...