The Magnificent Ruins by Nayantara Roy follows Lila, an Indian American woman who travels back to Kolkata after inheriting her family’s ancestral home. In the process, she confronts long-hidden stories, tangled family relationships, and the weight of identity and belonging across continents. The novel explores how history, memory, and home shape the choices we make and the secrets we carry.

Our book club had the chance to host Nayantara Roy for a virtual discussion, and the conversation was one of our most engaging yet. Members were especially struck by the dramatic wedding scenes and the unforgettable house fire, moments that sparked debate about family ties, loyalty, and what it takes for old secrets to finally come to light. Many of us also connected with Lila’s journey of navigating cultural distance, balancing her life in the United States with her roots in India, and learning what it means to come home.

Readers beyond our club have praised Roy’s debut for its rich detail and emotional depth. One reviewer noted how the crumbling house felt like “a character of its own, carrying generations of memory and silence.” Another highlighted the way Roy builds tension across the novel, writing that “the payoff is worth every moment of buildup.” Even those who found the pacing slow in the beginning agreed that the emotional revelations landed powerfully.

If you haven’t yet picked up The Magnificent Ruins, you can find it in hardcover, ebook, or audiobook here, and join us for our next discussion. Should you need help obtaining a copy, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to help coordinate lending, borrowing, or sourcing the book!

This novel is a powerful blend of family drama and personal reflection, and we’d be thrilled to see The Magnificent Ruins become one of those reads that stays with you long after the last page. Keep an eye on our Book Club announcements for future discussions!

Happy reading! 📚
— The Banga NextGen Book Club Team