Page references for the quotations refer to the following edition:

Mistry, Rohinton. Family Matters, New York, Vintage International, A Division of Random House, Inc. 2002.

"During her girlhood, relatives would scrutinize her and remark sadly that a father's love was sunshine and fresh water without which a daughter could not bloom; a stepfather, they said, was quite useless in this regard." Pg 4

"Taking his hand in hers, which was shriveled from burns in a kitchen accident during her youth she whispered, 'No happiness is more lasting that the happiness that you get from fulfilling your parents' wishes."' Pg 12

"The aging wardboy asked him how he was feeling, did he need anything, were the pillows comfortable. Then he smiled - and Nariman felt as though they had just concluded a long and heartfelt exchange of ideas." Pg 51

"'I have the feeling we are about to do a horrible thing...