Childhood’s Hour is an experimental, philosophical novel by Kirat Saran. It follows the story of a young man, whom the narrator calls 'Arya', not because that is his name but because it describes his character. The events of the novel follow Arya from childhood to adolescence, although not in that order. The narrative recounts, episodically, Arya’s relationship with his father, his experience at university in a foreign country, falling in love, losing love, and being committed to a mental health institution. It is relayed by an intrusive and, at times, unreliable narrator, who becomes just as prominent a character as the so-called protagonist, Arya. The characters appear shrouded in ambiguity, highlighting existential themes of identity, anguish, and choice.
