This is the story of Baby Halder, a woman who overcame poverty, violence and a meagre education to write a book that would become an overnight literary sensation in India.
Born in West Bengal, Baby is abandoned by her mother at the age of four, married at twelve to a violent man, and a mother herself at thirteen. When her husband's abuse escalates, Baby flees with her children and begins life as a domestic servant, only to find herself the victim of further abuse, this time at the hands of her various employers.
But then Baby goes to work for Prabodh Kumar, a retired anthropology professor, who recognises Baby's love of words and books and, with infinite humanity, gives her the time, the tools and the encouragement to tell her tale.
