Step into the tumultuous late 1980s Darjeeling with ‘Fruits of the Barren Tree: Phoolange’. This evocative novel plunges into the violent Gorkhaland movement, where the Green Party clashes with the Red Party and state forces. Set in the small village of Relling, the story centers on the complex lives of Basnet the shaman, his wayward son Jhuppay, and the virtuous Nimma, Jhuppay’s love. The tension escalates with the arrival of militia commander Chyaatar and a fateful job for Jhuppay that ignites a tragic chain of events. Originally a Nepali bestseller, Phoolange is a powerful, visual exploration of a failed movement and the pervasive nature of violence, offering a stark, compelling portrait of Darjeeling beyond the tourist brochures. Discover a captivating tale of love, ambition, and consequence.