Anne Cherian

I was searching for a book called The Good Wife, when this one popped up instead. I had read a similar book a few weeks ago that was from the Female's point of view, so I decided to give this one a try and I Really enjoyed it, probably more so than the book I was comparing it too ( similar stories- Young Indian Americans return home where the family is pressuring them into marriage- the outcomes are different though).

Overall, I enjoyed this book and while at times I found the characters a little annoying it was a good story. I'm not sure how to feel about the tidy ending, it did seem a little convenient, I don't think it ruined the story or made it too unbelievable.… (mais)

Learned a bit more about Asian Indian culture, customs about clothes and beliefs, and the complications of an arranged marriage. Understood Neel's desire to give up the Indian ways yet wanting to keep his Asian family happy but hated his idea that he was so smart, continuing the affair with gold digging blond, and always thinking he would get his way. His lies became too arrogant for me. Leila was a good main character, really liked when she started doing what she wanted via driving, shopping and making friends. Spoiler: would have liked to see how this relationship turned out without a pregnancy affecting it.… (mais)

Three couples: 2 1/2 are of Indian (India) descent... all friends from college. As adults they have parted ways and are brought together by the most pretentious of them all..... Giving a over-the-top graduation party for his son, who has just graduated from MIT. His son (whom he plans on forcing to work for him in his most successful computer business) plans on going to Europe to become a chef......
Both of the the other couples are having their challenges as well......
This was light and easy to read... I didn't feel as if the characters were well enough developed, and I certainly didn't care for most of them...... The one wife I would have found the most interesting, was not very well developed either.....
The ending was blase.......… (mais)

This is a story revolving around the immigrant experience, yet becomes the universal story of those who have crossed boundaries and no longer fit entirely in one place. Though within the setting of arranged marriage, it also portrayed male and female journeys in relationship that seem to transcend time and place.

Some quotes I like:

"He was home. In an environment where he felt loved and comfortable in a way not possible in the United States. And yet, he no longer fit in. He loved living in America, but knew that there, too, he didn't quite fit. It was the classic immigrant dilemma."

"He had put them [his family] first by coming home [to India] and the irony was that they had put him first by arranging this marriage. He had walked into it with his eyes open. But his eyes had been open too long in the West and by the time he adjusted his vision to India, it was too late."

"The answers would come to her. No need to rush them. Ten years ago, but so well remember it was as if it had happened yesterday, she had suffered the repercussions brought on by thoughtless rushing. This time, she would wait. Not wait for him to act, like she had been doing these past months. She would wait to see how she (author italics) would act."… (mais)