In Arundhati Roy's kaleidoscopic new novel the residents of the Jannat Guest House undertake a boisterous journey through Delhi's streets. Indira Varma is the reader.

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. Her hotly anticipated new novel takes us on a mesmerising journey from Old Delhi to Kashmir and back. In this episode, the story returns to more recent times and the old graveyard where the rowdy cast of vivid and unforgettable characters are all brought together. They're in celebratory mood as they set old wounds and heartbreak to one side, for a short while at least, and find new ways to deal with painful pasts.

Visit the Radio 4 website to find links to new features and archive programmes about Arundhati Roy's life and work. 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