Cross cultural and cross generational growing in unexpected ways.
Mother Land: A Novel by Leah Franqui
So you uproot yourself from family and friends and follow your love to his home country. We're not talking about an American in Paris here, rather an American in Mumbai. Culture shock? Yes, especially when your mother-in-law lands on your doorstep, and not just for a two week visit. You see, having left her husband, it appears Swati is determined to educate Rachel on how to be a proper Indian wife. Irony anyone?
When Rachel ends up with a cleaner coming more frequently and a cook she definitely doesn't want things start to fall apart, and yet mysteriously they also come together, just not in the way either Rachel or Swati expected. For Rachel cooking is important, for Swati one has servants for that.
Rachel Meyer saw coming to Mumbai as an opportunity to have a more ordered life, to experience a new beginning. She finds something different. Her new understandings in many ways are due to her mother-in-law.
Swati has done something so unusual that it leaves everyone in shock. She has left her husband. Rachael is mostly out of sorts at Swati's sudden intrusion into the life she thinks she's building.
Rachel had been convinced that, 'Dhruv would make her happy, he would make her life something stable, something solid.' In India that strength became tradition and expectation and Rachael's life was not going forward. Dhurv becomes a different person once back on home soil. This realization is subtly creeps up on Rachel.
Swati has been exceedingly brave to go against her generation's customs. It takes some time for Rachael to realize this. As things develop the antipathy between them lessens, although not without major road blocks. Cooking plays a part.
As Swati's later reflects, "They had seen each other." I love that line. 'I see you' is a powerful statement.
In the end the multi faceted aspects of relationships, knowing oneself, personal development, courage and regret all mingle to make a fascinating read.
I cheered, I was saddened, occasionally embarrassed if not shocked especially around Rachel's thoughts and observations about the expat society and their overt racism generally. Talk about tiffin and tea, or maybe it's the gin and tonic hangovers of the previous century! I loved it when Rachel begins to view India through the prism of her acquaintance Richard whose embraced India. This too is a growing moment for her.
A wonderful read!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
*****
When Rachel ends up with a cleaner coming more frequently and a cook she definitely doesn't want things start to fall apart, and yet mysteriously they also come together, just not in the way either Rachel or Swati expected. For Rachel cooking is important, for Swati one has servants for that.
Rachel Meyer saw coming to Mumbai as an opportunity to have a more ordered life, to experience a new beginning. She finds something different. Her new understandings in many ways are due to her mother-in-law.
Swati has done something so unusual that it leaves everyone in shock. She has left her husband. Rachael is mostly out of sorts at Swati's sudden intrusion into the life she thinks she's building.
Rachel had been convinced that, 'Dhruv would make her happy, he would make her life something stable, something solid.' In India that strength became tradition and expectation and Rachael's life was not going forward. Dhurv becomes a different person once back on home soil. This realization is subtly creeps up on Rachel.
Swati has been exceedingly brave to go against her generation's customs. It takes some time for Rachael to realize this. As things develop the antipathy between them lessens, although not without major road blocks. Cooking plays a part.
As Swati's later reflects, "They had seen each other." I love that line. 'I see you' is a powerful statement.
In the end the multi faceted aspects of relationships, knowing oneself, personal development, courage and regret all mingle to make a fascinating read.
I cheered, I was saddened, occasionally embarrassed if not shocked especially around Rachel's thoughts and observations about the expat society and their overt racism generally. Talk about tiffin and tea, or maybe it's the gin and tonic hangovers of the previous century! I loved it when Rachel begins to view India through the prism of her acquaintance Richard whose embraced India. This too is a growing moment for her.
A wonderful read!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
*****
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