A chronicle of the lives of five generations of women in the authors family, this fascinating story spans over a hundred years in its narrative sweep, from the late nineteenth century to the early years of the twenty-first. It mirrors and critiques the progress of a nation, its society and its women, seamlessly blending biography with social history. Sundar-ma, Bharati Rays great-grandmother, was married into a conservative household at twelve. Self-educated, because formal education was out of her reach, she was an intelligent, deeply thoughtful woman who witnessed some of the most tumultuous times in Indias history and actively participated in Indias freedom struggle. Ushabala, the authors grandmother, was the proud wife of a college lecturer and a consummate homemaker, while Kalyani, Bharati Rays Ma, was the first woman in the family to get a college degree, but she gave up her studies and career to raise her children. Ma is lovingly described as feisty and irrepressible, a keen traveller and always ready for adventure. Kalyanis academic successes heralded the authors own remarkable achievements, first as a lecturer in Calcutta University, then as its first woman provice-chancellor and later as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Bharati Rays daughters, Khuku and Tista, both extremely bright, lead busy, fulfilling lives as academics. Translated from the Bengali bestseller Ekaal Sekaal, this is a candid, personal and immensely readable account of five generations of remarkable women.