Ravana's wife gives a TV interview. A European vampire savours the peculiar taste of Indian blood. A court judgement hinges on reading the mind of the dead.

In twenty-five exhilarating stories, Manjula Padmanabhan brings her trademark twist to familiar reality. From a stuffy wedding party suddenly made naked to communal riots on Mars; from toxins made of Gandhi's remains to a society where everyone breathes personalized air, this stunningly original volume provides a uniquely Indian take to classic science fiction.

A master of her craft, Padmanabhan builds inventive futures and captures today's world with equal flair, all the while addressing larger concerns – what does it mean to live in a society, and this one in particular? Where are we heading, and do we even want to get there?

At once funny, provocative and profound, Stolen Hours and Other Curiosities will capture your attention till the very last page, and alter forever the way you look at the world.