This book is the first fiction I've ever read about an Indian American family. I'm assuming the author is also Indian based on the name, but I could be wrong.
The subject matter is intense.....powerful....and very well done.
The only thing I didn't care for was all the editing mistakes!! yikes!!
STORY SUMMARY
Sonya, the youngest of 3 daughters to Ranee and Brent, is back at home in California, because her father is lying in a hospital bed in a coma. Sonya left her family on the evening of her 18th birthday and it has been years since she has been back. She is a photographer who travels to all different areas of the world...always on the run and with out any ties to anyone.
The middle sister, Trisha, is married to a white man named Eric. They have been trying, unsuccessfully, to have a child. Trisha has created a perfect suburban life for her self....she is a stay at home wife and is constantly striving for perfection.
Marin, the oldest daughter, is a very successful business-woman married to Raj. This marriage was arranged by the families. They have a 15 year old daughter Gia whom they have just found out is a victim of dating abuse.
As their father remains unconscious, various buried secrets begin to come to the surface in each of their lives. Their father was a victim of racism and shortly after they moved to America when Marin was just 6 years old, he became violent towards Marin, Sonya (whom he said should have been aborted) and to his wife Ranee. (another arranged marriage as is the custom in India).
The women have all had different ways of coping with the abuse from their childhoods....but...when Trisha finally reveals exactly how their father abused her, healing begins.
MY THOUGHTS
This book is raw and honest. The subject matter of domestic violence in the form of physical and emotional abuse, is handled very well. Various burdens of the sisters come to play: shame and secrets being at the top of the list.
The character development is exquisite and the ending is beautiful.
The surprise of what Ranee did regarding Sonya and getting her to return to the family home is so believable and you will be on the women's side when all is revealed.
This book brings out the freedom that comes when speaking the truth of what happened and how freeing the owning of that truth is.
Just what happens with Trisha??
WHY does she carry such a deep dark secret? And will it get exposed?
What happens to Brent?
How does Gia's current situation tie in with that of her mother's and aunts??
And where does Sonya now fit in?
Read the book to find out!
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to mature subject matter)
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.
1 comment:
I've never seen this one, I'll have to look on library's online site.
I see your reading a Man Called Ove. I really liked that one!
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