Fistful of Fog

When 22-year-old Jay Acharya arrives as an international student at Dominican University of California in 1989, he is mesmerized by his classmate, Zoe Kirchner, an amateur mountaineer. Timid, lustful and conflicted, Jay is initially rebuffed by the free-spirited, mischievous and fearless Zoe, who says he is not her type. Her intoxicating presence motivates him to reinvent himself and he becomes a changed man. Vacillating between his puritanical upbringing and Zoe's voluptuous beauty,...
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When 22-year-old Jay Acharya arrives as an international student at Dominican University of California in 1989, he is mesmerized by his classmate, Zoe Kirchner, an amateur mountaineer. Timid, lustful and conflicted, Jay is initially rebuffed by the free-spirited, mischievous and fearless Zoe, who says he is not her type. Her intoxicating presence motivates him to reinvent himself and he becomes a changed man. Vacillating between his puritanical upbringing and Zoe's voluptuous beauty, he tries to resist her charms but he continues to be hopelessly attracted to her. His efforts remain unrequited for a while but his perseverance pays-off and she warms-up to him. Many say their fragile romance won't last but cocooned inside the blissful daze birthed by first love, he can't imagine it ending. Zoe dreams of becoming the first woman to summit Kanchenjunga, whose peak is visible from his home in Darjeeling. Jay, whose father fell to his death on Kanchenjunga, fears she will not return alive from the expedition. Fearful of losing her, he sabotages her climbing plans but the day comes when he has to overcome his fears and prove his love for her. FISTFUL OF FOG tells the story of a young man's education in love while juggling terrifying life choices. It introduces the reader to horizon-expanding worlds populated by diverse voices and magical landscapes. It is a novel about innocence, discovery, fragility, fragmentation, fear and courage.