ANN HUNKINS is a writer's dream - she translates works from Nepali with the crisp diction of contemporary America, cutting to the heart of the story which may be set a century ago in a culture quite different from the ones we know. Her narrative force takes the reader on a journey through twentieth century Nepal through the streets of old Kathmandu, and through the troubled relationships between men and women from the Rana period to contemporary times. Herself a poet, Hunkins has worked more than a decade on her translations, often working with the writers themselves to clarify their intents, and has managed to capture the power of these stories through their moments, voices and ambiguities. This is a book to be treasured by both the traveler who wants to know Nepal better, as well as younger Nepalese who were educated in English Medium schools and want a gateway to their classics.