In the new novel by celebrated writer Arundhati Roy events unfold at the Interrogation Centre in war torn Srinigar, Kashmir, which leave Naga and Tilo unnerved. Indira Varma reads.

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness is Arundhati Roy's first novel since her celebrated debut The God of Small Things which won the Booker Prize in 1997. It takes the listener on a mesmerising journey starting in Delhi and moving to Kashmir which in 1996, when this episode is set, is in the throes of a bitter conflict. As old friends, Biplab, Naga, Musa and Tilo are brought back into one another's orbit, the corrupting nature of power is brought into stark relief as they endure through the darkest of times sustained by hope and most of all love.

For the recent Front Row interview with Arundhati Roy, new features and archive programmes about her life and work visit the Radio 4 website. While you're there, if you've missed an episode or you would like to listen ahead you can also find out how to download all fifteen episodes. Or you can go to the iPlayer Radio app.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton
Produced by Elizabeth Allard. Show less