Book Review: ‘Our Friends in Good Houses’ by Rahul Pandita

Book Title: Our Friends in Good Houses: A Novel
Author: Rahul Pandita
Publisher: Fourth Estate India
Number of Pages: 236
ISBN: 978-9369895410
Date Published: Oct. 13, 2025
Price: INR 395

Book Review

“Our Friends in Good Houses” by Rahul Pandita is a moving and thoughtful debut novel about the search for home and belonging. It follows Neel, a journalist drawn to conflict zones where, in the middle of danger, he feels a strange sense of peace. Outside these places, however, Neel struggles to find a sense of stability. His search takes him from America to Delhi, through short stays and fleeting relationships, raising the question—can one truly find home in a place, or only within oneself?

The author writes with honesty and emotion, exploring Neel’s inner struggles with care and depth. The novel reflects on how people deal with loss, displacement, and the desire for something lasting in a world that feels uncertain. Neel’s story becomes a mirror for anyone who has ever felt disconnected or rootless, suggesting that home may be more about self-acceptance than geography.

The story moves between Neel’s outer journey through war zones and cities, and his inner journey toward peace. Small details—like a rug or a coffee pot—show his attempts to create moments of comfort and permanence. Pandita’s own experience as a war journalist adds realism and truth to these scenes, giving the book both emotional and journalistic strength.

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“Our Friends in Good Houses” is a powerful look at identity, loss, and the longing for home. It is a tender and insightful novel that blends personal emotion with thoughtful storytelling. More than a story about one man’s life, it is about the universal human search for belonging—and the fragile beauty of finding home, even when it seems out of reach.

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