The Grasshopper'S Run  (English, Paperback, Sarma Siddhartha)

In this brilliantly written debut novel- Siddharth Sarma brings to vivid life- a little-known slice of history from the time of World War II in Asia. The time when the Imperial Japanese Army- undefeated everywhere on the Asian mainland- finally invades British India through the east. A fortnight before the main invasion- an ambitious and amoral Japanese officer orders the massacre of a village of the Ao Naga tribe. Among those killed is Uti- grandson of the eldest Ao chief. Gojen Rajkhowa was Uti's best friend. When Uti's grandfather declares a private war against the Japanese- Gojen resolves to journey to Kohima- where the battle for 'The Stalingrad of the East' has just begun. There- within the heart of the battle which will turn the tide of World War II in Asia- he goes to seek the man who took the best part of his life from him. His quest will take him beyond the edge of his familiar world- through mist and smoke and an ancient Naga legend- into the unknown.