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dristi_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.0
kathrynnnnnn's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. Near identical themes to Well Behaved Indian Woman and essentially the same book as a result. I do really like that book and similarly liked this. The pacing was perfect until like 80% through where it started to slow which was weird and deducts a half star.
Yeah it's about the experience of being an Indian-American woman, but so many of the issues are shared across cultures that it's super relateable (like almost too close to home and a bit uncomfortable relateable).
Yeah it's about the experience of being an Indian-American woman, but so many of the issues are shared across cultures that it's super relateable (like almost too close to home and a bit uncomfortable relateable).
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this messy Indian American multigenerational family story featuring the Joshis of Atlanta. Told in alternating perspectives among the three grown Joshi siblings and their parents, we get to know their secrets, fears and struggles as they try to live up to entrenched cultural expectations.
Eldest daughter Sunhani, is following in her father's footsteps but an ex's return brings up secrets from her past and threatens her marriage.
Middle daughter Natasha has had enough with trying to please her family, refusing her childhood boyfriend's proposal of marriage in order to pursue her stand up comedy dreams.
Youngest son Anuj seemingly has a charmed life but being the 'good son' is a burden all its own.
Matriarch, Bina's story was my favorite, where she organizes a chai and chat social for women in her community to discuss the problems that often go unspoken. She even ends up turning into a bit of a social media influencer.
Great on audio narrated by Soneela Nankani and highly recommended for fans of Sonali Dev, Sara Desai, Annika Sharma or Sajni Patel. This book also has excellent mental health rep, focusing on the stigma of seeking therapy or admitting to any kind of mental illness among members of South Asian families, and in particular medical professionals.
CW: depression, toxic masculinity, abortion, suicide, invisible labor, domestic abuse
Eldest daughter Sunhani, is following in her father's footsteps but an ex's return brings up secrets from her past and threatens her marriage.
Middle daughter Natasha has had enough with trying to please her family, refusing her childhood boyfriend's proposal of marriage in order to pursue her stand up comedy dreams.
Youngest son Anuj seemingly has a charmed life but being the 'good son' is a burden all its own.
Matriarch, Bina's story was my favorite, where she organizes a chai and chat social for women in her community to discuss the problems that often go unspoken. She even ends up turning into a bit of a social media influencer.
Great on audio narrated by Soneela Nankani and highly recommended for fans of Sonali Dev, Sara Desai, Annika Sharma or Sajni Patel. This book also has excellent mental health rep, focusing on the stigma of seeking therapy or admitting to any kind of mental illness among members of South Asian families, and in particular medical professionals.
CW: depression, toxic masculinity, abortion, suicide, invisible labor, domestic abuse
dhee_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I bookmarked the heck out of this book. It has insights for just about every relationship. It's clear Dave is passionate about psychiatry and mental health. Her writing is effortlessly beautiful--the perfect mix of breezy, and thoughtful. This definitely surpasses WBIW as my clear favorite.
sumeda99's review against another edition
4.0
this book was so relatable! Has someone who comes from a first generation, American family myself, it was so refreshing to read a story about the clash between worldview and experiences of immigrant parents, versus first generation American children in various ways. This book was so important because it explored so many themes families can feel not only intergenerationally, but intragenerationally.
I found myself relating to the older sister, Suhani, a lot. Everything from her career to the name of her partner matched up to my experience, and I found myself rooting for her throughout.
Highly recommended for people from ethnic, immigrant families!
I found myself relating to the older sister, Suhani, a lot. Everything from her career to the name of her partner matched up to my experience, and I found myself rooting for her throughout.
Highly recommended for people from ethnic, immigrant families!
leyahmathew's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
danapr's review against another edition
5.0
I was surprised to like this book as well as I did. Dysfunctional family dramas can be depressing and I usually avoid stories involving mental illness since I work in this field but this author brought in a different angle with the cultural perspective. The Joshi family are Indian Americans who struggle with role expectations within the family and their culture.
I liked the way the author, who is also a psychiatrist, portrayed the family’s mental illnesses and demonstrated that genetics have a strong influence on them, even in families who have members who are psychiatrists. Fortunately, this family learns that open communication and allowing each other to be themselves will help them heal.
The character development is very good and there are humorous as well as heart-wrenching moments throughout the book.
I liked the way the author, who is also a psychiatrist, portrayed the family’s mental illnesses and demonstrated that genetics have a strong influence on them, even in families who have members who are psychiatrists. Fortunately, this family learns that open communication and allowing each other to be themselves will help them heal.
The character development is very good and there are humorous as well as heart-wrenching moments throughout the book.
shivss09's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katiez624's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of a typical immigrant family, one filled with unmet expectations, resentment, secrets, and definitely no talking about feelings. Even though Natasha's father and sister are both psychiatrists, mental health is still stigmatized within the family walls. When Natasha ventures out to pursue comedy full-time, her whole life turns upside down and nothing goes as planned. The other members of the Joshi family are also going through troubles of their own, but no one is willing to share or ask for help. An unexpected event forces the family to face their fears head on and deal with their issues in a way they've never felt comfortable doing before.
It is evident this is an Own Voices story. Saumya Dave is very familiar with the familial relations within a Desi family and community and uses the Joshi family to convey how even the most fragmented household can unite and support each other in the most important ways.
It is evident this is an Own Voices story. Saumya Dave is very familiar with the familial relations within a Desi family and community and uses the Joshi family to convey how even the most fragmented household can unite and support each other in the most important ways.
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
Great read about an Indian immigrant family adjusting to life in America while still dealing with deep-seated Indian expectations. I didn't like Natasha's character at all - understood her desire to do what she liked, but she took it too far and had no consideration of others' feelings. Otherwise, I appreciated the various characters' viewpoints and the overarching theme of mental health awareness and treatment. Solid characterizations and representation of the Indian families I have met in my years of working with and knowing them both in India and the U.S. I also really liked how the author destigmatized the in-patient treatment of those who need it.