Gaban, first published in 1931, five years before Premchand's death, gives us a fascinating glimpse of north Indian society, and especially of the author's own Kayasth community. But this novel also serves to put forth his own deeply-held views of the ills of that society - the insatiable love of its women for personal adornment, its failure to create fulfilling marriage relationships, and its moral corruption. This is a felicitous translation by Christopher R. King and will enable many readers to appreciate Premchand's important novel, available for the first time in English
