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moco71's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about three Indians living in the US, all repressed in different ways. Ranjana is an empty nester exploring her desire to be a writer while suspicious that her husband may be having an affair. Prashant, her son, is exploring romance while internally debating his college major between what his parents expect of him and what he really wants. Harit is a lonely single middle-aged man, mourning his sister's death while living with his mother. The three characters overlap and intersect. A unique and interesting story.
thndrkat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sweet, funny, delightful, queer-positive story of family, immigration, friendship, and self-discovery.
lsparrow's review against another edition
1.0
Perhaps worse than hating this book I have no particular feelings about it.
I think perhaps there were too many different characters for me to really connect deeply with one which meant I was not invested. And although the themes of family, immigration, traditions, finding oneself, sexuality are all of interest to me this book did not capture my thoughts. Perhaps it is missing the thing that makes me love a book/story - that ability to make me want to know more after it is done - more about the characters, more about the world/story or more about the themes.
I think perhaps there were too many different characters for me to really connect deeply with one which meant I was not invested. And although the themes of family, immigration, traditions, finding oneself, sexuality are all of interest to me this book did not capture my thoughts. Perhaps it is missing the thing that makes me love a book/story - that ability to make me want to know more after it is done - more about the characters, more about the world/story or more about the themes.
erboe501's review against another edition
2.0
I've been wanting to read more diversely. I enjoyed learning about the Indian-American experience, especially about how Hinduism influenced the characters' lives. The story took awhile to really get off the ground and interest me. For awhile I considered putting it down, but I stuck with it, and I think it was worth it overall.
The writing wasn't the best, and some of the character interiority/exposition felt a little trite and boring, even overworked. But I did love the fact that one of the main characters writes vampire fiction set in India.
The writing wasn't the best, and some of the character interiority/exposition felt a little trite and boring, even overworked. But I did love the fact that one of the main characters writes vampire fiction set in India.
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
After hearing a review of this book on NPR, I added it to my TBR list and eagerly awaited its arrival at my local library. I thoroughly enjoyed this witty, warm, and tender novel about immigrants and outsiders. The story is set in an Indian American community in the Cleveland suburbs. The two main characters are Harit, a lonely Indian immigrant in his mid-forties who lives with his mother who can no longer function following the death of his sister Swati; and, Ranjana, also an Indian immigrant in her mid-forties who has just sent her son, Prashant, off to college and worries that her husband is having an affair. Each one deals with their troubles in their own way. In a misguided attempt to keep himself and his mother sane, Harit begins dressing up in a sari every night, pretending to be Swati. For her part, Ranjana seeks solace in writing paranormal romances in secret and is enrolled in a writing class. The two eventually cross paths and their blossoming friendship soon brings to light their own passions and fears. The story is told with incredible warmth and humor; I enjoyed getting to know not only Harit and Ranjana, but also their friends and family, who were just as complex and endearing to me. This novel did not disappoint and was an excellent introduction to this author, who I hope to see more from in the future.
cseibs's review against another edition
2.0
A tad too precious and contrived. The fact that the author actually acknowledged that by having his kooky mismatched characters take a road trip was a hackneyed plot contrivance but yet still went there pretty much put me over the edge.
silentshy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nikimilburn's review against another edition
3.0
I love when authors can take characters with different story lines and intertwine their lives, which is what Satyal does here. The author also has a clever way of describing scenes in a way you know EXACTLY what they mean: like explaining the taste of sound. Although I am personally not inclined to fictional novels, the lovable characters bring out the honesty in each of our humanity. And our desire to be fully seen and deeply loved.
shoohoob's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Transphobia, Death, Sexism, Grief, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent