The Ministry of Utmost Happiness is Arundhati Roy's first novel since her award winning debut The God of Small Things which was published in 1997. The story returns listeners to 2014 and the boisterous residents of an old Delhi graveyard., including a young and incorrigible man who goes by the nickname of Saddam Hussein who is busy concocting an innovative escape plan. Indira Varma reads.

Visit the Radio 4 website to find links to new features and archive programmes about the life and work of the acclaimed writer. 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.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton
Produced by Elizabeth Allard. Show less