Kathmandu, April 4 -- Being in the lap of the Himalayas is a subject of immense pride for us Nepali people. But the reality of surviving in the landscape rarely reaches those living far from it. Kshitiz Samarpan, with his witty and observant writing, brings the story of Charang, a village in Upper Mustang, in his debut novel 'Torkin'.

The land beneath the mountains had been gradually sinking, forcing Charang to relocate its settlement. With exactly 52 houses built traditionally, the village wakes every day to the breathtaking landscape. Samarpan captures the daily rhythms of Charang, which slowly dissolves into the oblivion of its own residents.

The writer sure knows how to keep his readers on the edge of suspense. Each section opens wi...