When differing cultural practices collide
Grown-Up Pose by Sonya Lalli
Traditional life expectations run into conflict for Anu Desai. A good girl who followed her family's strictures, and married the first serious boyfriend she had. The problem is that now she feels trapped. In effect she's painted herself into a corner and is kept there by her own and others expectations. Throughout this navel gazing Anu and her husband are growing away from each other. You could feel Anu's to some extent, self imposed cultural standards resulting from her traditional upbringing, causing her inner dissatisfaction.
So here she is with a husband, a young daughter and doting, traditional parents, reclaiming her friendships, and making a run for it.
Anu forges ahead, aided by her girlfriends, to claim her freedom and of course finding disappointment on the relationship level. There's a rather funny scene when she discovers her new interest wining and dining someone else. I applauded.
Her decision to follow her heart and buy a yoga studio comes with some interesting twists. Making it pay becomes even more complicated. Taking up the role of single parent comes with unforeseen complications and angst.
Coming full circle this is an interesting take on a coming of age novel when you're supposedly well beyond that time.
Not as satisfying a read as I'd hoped, but some interesting moments and cultural disconnects.
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
***
Traditional life expectations run into conflict for Anu Desai. A good girl who followed her family's strictures, and married the first serious boyfriend she had. The problem is that now she feels trapped. In effect she's painted herself into a corner and is kept there by her own and others expectations. Throughout this navel gazing Anu and her husband are growing away from each other. You could feel Anu's to some extent, self imposed cultural standards resulting from her traditional upbringing, causing her inner dissatisfaction.
So here she is with a husband, a young daughter and doting, traditional parents, reclaiming her friendships, and making a run for it.
Anu forges ahead, aided by her girlfriends, to claim her freedom and of course finding disappointment on the relationship level. There's a rather funny scene when she discovers her new interest wining and dining someone else. I applauded.
Her decision to follow her heart and buy a yoga studio comes with some interesting twists. Making it pay becomes even more complicated. Taking up the role of single parent comes with unforeseen complications and angst.
Coming full circle this is an interesting take on a coming of age novel when you're supposedly well beyond that time.
Not as satisfying a read as I'd hoped, but some interesting moments and cultural disconnects.
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
***
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