And All is Said - Memoir of a Home Divided (Paperback)

The basis of And All is said: Memoir of a Home Divided is the letters and diaries of his parents. The book is an intimate portrayal of his parents, both of whom are gifted personalities, and about their respective families. Zareer's parents, the Masanis were a prominent Parsi family of Bombay. They were very different from Shakuntala's parents, who were UP Kayasth Srivatsavas. Though they had a love marriage, the lifestyles of Minoo and Shakuntala were very different, including their political affiliations. Sir Rustom Masani, Minoo's father and a scholar, lived like a hermit, denouncing all worldly comforts. Sir J. P. Srivatsava, Shakuntalas's father was a counselor to the Viceroy of the British Empire and had amassed wealth as a business man. Shakuntala was brought up in comfort and luxury. When Minoo and Shakuntala got married and eloped, Minoo was already a twice-married divorcee. Besides, he was left-wing activist of the Congress. He subsequently founded the Swatantra Party, which supported free market. He was anti-Communist and the leader of opposition in Parliament. The author writes about his childhood, being the only child of such famous parents, in a household constantly disturbed by the stormy relationship between his parents. The honest analysis of the lives of his parents has been appreciated by readers. The link of high-profile leaders of Indian politics with the leading characters of the biography all come together to provide an absorbing story.