Heat and Dust

About “Heat and Dust”

Heat and Dust is a 1975 novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala set in India. It follows Olivia, an English colonial wife in the 1920s who becomes involved with the Nawab, an Indian prince. Olivia leaves her husband, a civil servant, and elopes with the Nawab, causing scandal in the small town. The story also follows Olivia's step-granddaughter, who, fifty years later, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about Olivia's past through her letters. The novel explores themes of love, culture, and mystery, set against the backdrop of India's heat and dust. It blends the spiritual with the sensual, offering a deep and emotional narrative.