The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Kapoor, Deepti. Age of Vice. Penguin Random House, 2023.

Age of Vice opens in Delhi in 2004 with a horrific car accident. A Mercedes, driven by a young man named Ajay, crashes into five homeless people sleeping on the street, killing them instantly. Ajay, clearly too poor to own such a car, is arrested and taken to Tihar Jail, where he's brutally attacked. However, he's soon given preferential treatment when it's discovered he's a "Wadia man."

The narrative then jumps back to 1991 in Uttar Pradesh, where we meet eight-year-old Ajay living in extreme poverty with his family. After his father is murdered by a local gang and his sister Hema is raped, Ajay's mother sells him into indentured servitude to pay off debts. Ajay is taken to the Himalayas, where he works for a couple who raise cows. As he grows older, he learns multiple languages from tourists and eventually makes his way to Goa, working in cafes.

In Goa, Ajay meets Sunny Wadia, the son of a powerful and corrupt family. Impressed by Ajay's work ethic and discretion, Sunny offers him a job in Delhi. Ajay accepts and becomes part of Sunny's entourage, serving as a valet, chauffeur, and general assistant. He's trained in combat and begins carrying a gun, becoming deeply embedded in the Wadia family's world of wealth, power, and corruption.

Sunny, meanwhile, struggles with his family legacy. He dreams of using his wealth and influence to modernize Delhi, particularly by developing the Yamuna riverfront. He begins a relationship with Neda, a journalist from a middle-class background. However, their relationship is complicated by the violent and corrupt world Sunny inhabits.

The narrative explores the complex dynamics within the Wadia family. Bunty Wadia, Sunny's father, is a ruthless crime lord who controls vast swathes of industry and politics in Uttar Pradesh. Sunny both admires and resents his father, leading to a conflicted relationship that drives much of the plot.

As the story progresses, we see Sunny becoming increasingly involved in his father's corrupt dealings, despite his initial reluctance. A key turning point comes when Sunny handles the aftermath of a car accident caused by his friend Gautam Rathore, framing Ajay for the crime. This incident, which ties back to the novel's opening scene, marks Sunny's deeper descent into the corrupt world of his father.

Neda's storyline provides a different perspective on the events. As a journalist, she struggles with the ethical implications of her relationship with Sunny. She's both drawn to and repulsed by the world of the Wadias. Her attempts to maintain her integrity while navigating this dangerous world form a significant part of the narrative.

The novel also explores Ajay's personal journey. Despite his loyalty to the Wadias, he never forgets his family. He searches for his mother and sister, eventually finding his mother, who rejects him. He learns that his sister Hema ran away years ago. This rejection and the realization that he now works for the same corrupt system that destroyed his family leads Ajay to an existential crisis.

As the story unfolds, we see the intricate web of corruption, violence, and power that connects all the characters. The Wadia family's influence extends into politics, with their support of figures like Ram Singh and his son Dinesh. The novel explores how this corruption affects every level of society, from the streets of Delhi to the highest echelons of power.

Tensions build as Sunny and his friend Dinesh Singh begin to chafe under their fathers' control. They hatch a plan to assassinate both Bunty Wadia and Ram Singh, seeing this as the only way to break free from their toxic legacies and build the India they envision.

Meanwhile, Neda, horrified by the violence she's witnessed (including the brutal demolition of a poor colony to make way for Sunny's riverfront project), tries to distance herself from the Wadias. However, she finds herself pulled back in and is eventually forced to leave India altogether, ending up in London.

The climax of the novel revolves around the execution of Sunny and Dinesh's plan. Ajay, loyal to Sunny despite everything, plays a crucial role in the assassination of Bunty Wadia. This act marks a significant turning point, potentially reshaping the power dynamics that have driven the story.

Throughout the novel, Kapoor weaves in themes of class disparity, the costs of rapid modernization, the weight of family legacies, and the corrosive effects of corruption. The story is told through multiple perspectives, shifting between Ajay, Sunny, and Neda, as well as occasional interludes from other characters. This structure allows for a comprehensive exploration of the complex world Kapoor has created.

The novel ends with an epilogue set in 2008, focusing on Ajay. While providing some sense of closure, it also leaves many questions unanswered, reflecting the ongoing nature of the issues the novel explores. Ajay, having played his part in the assassination, escapes into the mountains with a small amount of money, suggesting both a kind of freedom and an uncertain future.

Age of Vice is a sprawling, complex narrative that paints a vivid picture of contemporary India, exploring the intersections of power, corruption, ambition, and morality. Through its intricate plot and well-developed characters, it offers a searing critique of social inequality and the human cost of unchecked ambition and rapid development.