The Fertile Earth

Rao’s moving debut revolves around a star-crossed friendship. In 1955 Irumi, India, 12-year-old Krishna stands up for Vijaya Deshmukh when their classmates mock her for being the niece of the village’s feudal landlord. Even though Vijaya is reluctant to become friends with Krishna, given his lowly status as son of the village washerwoman, she soon warms up to him and asks him to join her in the hunt for a man-eating tiger. During their adventure, Vijaya’s sister, Sree, is gravely injured. In the aftermath, the Deshmukhs are eager to keep Krishna and Vijaya apart and offer him the chance to study in Hyderabad on the condition that his older brother, Ranga, never leaves Irumi and continues to serve them. After this bargain, Krishna doesn’t see anyone from Irumi for 10 years. He pursues a PhD in mathematics and reunites with Vijaya at a fair in Irumi, where their connection is as strong as ever, prompting them to consider marriage, until a catastrophic incident occurs involving Ranga, who’s become a radical communist. Rao’s beautiful story is packed with intricate family dynamics, politics, and tragedy. This is splendid. Agent: Jin Auh, Wylie Agency. (Aug.)