Books for Change

About the Book

Hitchhiker is the story of Ebenezer, the son of untouchable Hindus who converted to Christianity. The controversy over Christian missionary activity in India forms the backdrop to this novel. The not-so-religious Ebenezer is on the fence, totally focused on doing well in the extremely competitive entrance exams to engineering colleges. Joining the Global Evangelical Church has not altered Ebenezer's family's status in their ancestral village, where they are still treated as untouchables. During one of their visits, Ebenezer's mother and sister are killed in caste-related violence.

Ebenezer plods his way through as unfair world, where not all software engineers do well and where dotcoms go bust and where religion, caste and educational background play an overwhelming role. The one bright spak in his life is Gayathri, the daughter of a rich right-wing Hindu nationalist businessman. Gayathri's family does not want her to marry Ebenezer and tries to wean her away. It is an unequal fight between the powerful business family and Ebenezer, one which Ebenezer eventually loses, despite a last-minute conversion to Hinduism. The Global Evangelical Church is still interested in getting the despondent Ebenezer back into its fold. However, Ebenezer refuses to part with his soul any more.

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 to 25

Index of Characters Glossary

Commendations

Aruna Srinivasan: Review in Tamil:

http://aruna52.blogspot.com/2007/05/blog-post_28.html

Aruna Srinivasan: Review in English

http://arunas.blogspot.com/2007/05/hitchhiker-book-review.html

The Tribune: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070107/spectrum/book3.htm