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A review by heylaurita
Honor by Thrity Umrigar
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Yes, yes, YES! I read “Honor” to kick off AAPI Heritage month and was blown away!
Smita decides to end her vacation early when she receives a call from a good friend asking for help to cover a story in a small village in India. Smita arrives in India to learn of the gruesome and unjust happenings surrounding Meena, a young mother, guilty only of following her heart. During her time covering the story, Smita is forced to reconcile her past and current beliefs as an Indian American woman, who has had the privilege of living the American dream.
I loved how this story accurately and fairly examines *and critiques* the American way of life and juxtaposes it with that of traditional India. It was incredibly thought provoking and really made examine where I was coming from with my thought processes. For me, it was a very “ní de aquí, ní de allá,” (“neither from here, nor from there”) exploration and I adored everything about it. It’s everything any ethnic-American narrative should be. It’s an instant classic and I cannot recommend it enough.
Smita decides to end her vacation early when she receives a call from a good friend asking for help to cover a story in a small village in India. Smita arrives in India to learn of the gruesome and unjust happenings surrounding Meena, a young mother, guilty only of following her heart. During her time covering the story, Smita is forced to reconcile her past and current beliefs as an Indian American woman, who has had the privilege of living the American dream.
I loved how this story accurately and fairly examines *and critiques* the American way of life and juxtaposes it with that of traditional India. It was incredibly thought provoking and really made examine where I was coming from with my thought processes. For me, it was a very “ní de aquí, ní de allá,” (“neither from here, nor from there”) exploration and I adored everything about it. It’s everything any ethnic-American narrative should be. It’s an instant classic and I cannot recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny