Once Upon A Curfew by Srishti Chaudhary

Once Upon A Curfew by Srishti Chaudhary

Once Upon a Curfew (published in 2019) by Indian author Srishti Chaudhary is a beautifully nostalgic, historically rich, and deeply atmospheric historical fiction romance.

Set against one of the most volatile and defining eras in modern Indian history, the book brilliantly balances a tender coming-of-age love story with a sharp exploration of politics, women's liberation, and social change.

The story is set in Delhi in 1974–1975, right as Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declares a state of National Emergency, plunging the country into a strict curfew, severe media censorship, and the sudden suspension of civil liberties.

• Indu: A young, vibrant woman who comes from a family with deep political ties to the ruling government. Indu isn't interested in traditional societal expectations or marrying for status. Instead, she inherits an old building from her beloved grandfather and decides to fulfill a dream: transforming it into Delhi's very first library exclusively for women—a safe haven where women can read, talk, and think freely.

• Rana: A passionate, idealistic young man from a completely different social background who volunteers to help Indu set up and run the library. Rana is deeply embedded in the underground student protest movements fighting against the government's authoritarian crackdowns.

As Indu and Rana work side-by-side inside the quiet walls of the library, a tender, slow-burn romance blossoms between them. But when the Emergency is officially declared and the government begins arresting student activists, their world is completely fractured. Indu is forced to choose between the safety and privilege of her political family, or risking everything to stand by the man she loves and the freedom she has come to believe in.

Language: English.

Genre: Romance.

Binding: সেলাই করা বাইন্ডিং

Quality: Premium Quality Books.

Printing: High Quality Printing.

Paper: Eye Friendly paper (Cream White)

Cover: Matt cover (Paperback).