In preparation for our whirlwind tour of India — a journey that begins a week from today — I picked up a copy of In Spite of the Gods: The Rise of Modern India by Edward Luce. Ramya and others are probably sick of hearing me talk about this book, but since we’re not actually in India yet it’s about all I have to talk about for now.

Luce, a Brit who has lived in India for the better part of a decade, offers a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing India at the dawn of the 21st Century. Through a collection of historical and personal anecdotes, he puts post-independence India in its broader political / economic / religious / social / cultural / historical context (”broader societal context” would just sound too stuffy). It’s a fascinating story of the world’s largest democracy that conjures up all sorts of interesting contrasts with American society, as well as China and other developing nations.

Luce’s account has made me all the more excited to experience this mind-blowingly diverse nation — and grateful (albeit overwhelmed) that our 15-day journey will give us a glimpse of no less than 7 of India’s 28 states!