Ranthia

All children mythologize their birth... So begins the prologue of reclusive author Vida Winter's beloved collection of stories, long famous for the mystery of the missing thirteenth tale. The enigmatic Winter has always kept her violent and tragic past a secret. Now old and ailing, she summons a biographer to tell the truth about her extraordinary life: Margaret Lea, a young woman for whom the secret of her own birth remains an ever-present pain.

Weaving myths and legends, author and audio professional Prem Kishore brings the culture and traditions of India to the listener in a fascinating narrative. She takes the listener on a journey, bringing the varied facets of India to life as she provokes the reader's curiosity by speaking on festivals, gods and goddesses, rituals, religions, dance, music, food, and more.

Madhur (meaning sweet as honey) Jaffrey grew up in a large family compound by the Yamuna River in Delhi where her grandfather often presided over dinners with forty or more members of his extended family savoring together the wonderfully flavorful dishes that were forever imprinted on Madhur's palate.

Indian cuisine has a rich legacy of myriad faiths, history, food invasions, cultural landscapes and rituals. This book is richly spiced with the author's memories and personal stories bringing the flavors of India alive. The narrative is peppered with food stories of India, the place of food in sacred worship, food etiquette, and taste memory. When the author travels through diverse regions, she explores food rituals, myths and traditions.