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sarah_thebooknerd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookishevy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This story follows an Indian American family over the course of three weeks one August.
Suresh and Lata Raman recently divorced after 36 years in an unhappy arranged marriage. Suresh is not having a lot of luck in online dating until he meets a younger, attractive woman who seems taken with him, but he isn't sure what her intentions are. Lata is basking in her independence and is taken by surprise when a professor in his early 60s starts flirting with her. Their daughter Priya is disgusted by Suresh's online escapades even though she's involved in a secret affair and, Nikesh, their son, seems to have the perfect marriage with a colleague with whom he has a soon-to-be one-year-old, but he's lying about the nature of this relationship.
The story is told from each of their perspectives, and their inner monologues are the main draw for me. This family has issues, but I found their rollercoaster of emotions refreshing and realistic. Their monologues give a lot of insight into what's important to them, and this is defined by their culture.
Suresh and Lata are dating for the first time in their lives at almost 60. He jumps right into the online dating pool. I got the sense that he wants to be cared for because Lata did everything for him. Lata is enjoying having only to care for herself. She wants to date but worries about what is expected of her as an older Indian woman and seems resentful about wasting her life with Suresh, who would be expected to remarry as a man.
Priya's under pressure for being in her mid-thirties without child. She already feels like she's lost to her younger brother. She does not want her parents navigating the dating scene when she hasn't even been married yet. But Priya might be pleasantly surprised to find that Nikesh is also struggling with life's disappointments and living up to their parents' expectations.
Lots of assumptions and expectations and laughs as this family tries to figure out how to be happy on their own terms.
Suresh and Lata Raman recently divorced after 36 years in an unhappy arranged marriage. Suresh is not having a lot of luck in online dating until he meets a younger, attractive woman who seems taken with him, but he isn't sure what her intentions are. Lata is basking in her independence and is taken by surprise when a professor in his early 60s starts flirting with her. Their daughter Priya is disgusted by Suresh's online escapades even though she's involved in a secret affair and, Nikesh, their son, seems to have the perfect marriage with a colleague with whom he has a soon-to-be one-year-old, but he's lying about the nature of this relationship.
The story is told from each of their perspectives, and their inner monologues are the main draw for me. This family has issues, but I found their rollercoaster of emotions refreshing and realistic. Their monologues give a lot of insight into what's important to them, and this is defined by their culture.
Suresh and Lata are dating for the first time in their lives at almost 60. He jumps right into the online dating pool. I got the sense that he wants to be cared for because Lata did everything for him. Lata is enjoying having only to care for herself. She wants to date but worries about what is expected of her as an older Indian woman and seems resentful about wasting her life with Suresh, who would be expected to remarry as a man.
Priya's under pressure for being in her mid-thirties without child. She already feels like she's lost to her younger brother. She does not want her parents navigating the dating scene when she hasn't even been married yet. But Priya might be pleasantly surprised to find that Nikesh is also struggling with life's disappointments and living up to their parents' expectations.
Lots of assumptions and expectations and laughs as this family tries to figure out how to be happy on their own terms.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia and Abortion
dgrebelbecker's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
slnewman89's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lns242's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lynecia's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this domestic drama about an Indian American family, navigating the fragilities of love and marriage.
jojobirrd's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
arkwen452's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Late Bloomers give readers an in-depth look into the inner most thoughts, fears, worries and regrets of the Raman family.
Lata and Suresh were married for almost forty years after being matched by their parents back in India. Their two children are all grown up and have their lives together or so it would seem. But as the two gave their lives up for their kids and the desires of their parents, the two lost themselves along the way. I chose to say 'it's complicated' for the character development for Late Bloomers because I found that perhaps, Priya and her father Suresh did not fully have a clear direction of where their lives were headed by the end of the book. Whereas, Lata and her son Nikesh are offered the opportunities to move forward with their lives they way they want to.
This might be a nod to the comparison that Suresh makes about how similar Priya is to him but I can't be too sure. I do not normally read family centered books because family drama/stories can be triggering in a number of different ways. However, this book was a book club pick and while I had issues with some of the characters' actions I did find the author delivers the Raman Family drama in a relatable and humorous way.
Out of the four family members, my favorite was Lata; she seemed to always be aware that she was unhappy and was living her life for her children and parents but she eventually had the strength and mental clarity to get out a marriage she was not happy in. I also enjoyed how self aware her character was when it came to her worries and where they manifested from, especially when she realized Len was crushing on her.
The Raman family had a lot of generational and cultural trauma that affected the communication within their family. With Lata and Suresh being used to not talking, discussing or showing their emotions from their Indian upbringing to Nikesh and Priya being used to hiding or telling half truths or no truths being first generation America.
This was my first read by Deepa Varadarajan and I am open to reading my by her.
Lata and Suresh were married for almost forty years after being matched by their parents back in India. Their two children are all grown up and have their lives together or so it would seem. But as the two gave their lives up for their kids and the desires of their parents, the two lost themselves along the way. I chose to say 'it's complicated' for the character development for Late Bloomers because I found that perhaps, Priya and her father Suresh did not fully have a clear direction of where their lives were headed by the end of the book. Whereas, Lata and her son Nikesh are offered the opportunities to move forward with their lives they way they want to.
This might be a nod to the comparison that Suresh makes about how similar Priya is to him but I can't be too sure. I do not normally read family centered books because family drama/stories can be triggering in a number of different ways. However, this book was a book club pick and while I had issues with some of the characters' actions I did find the author delivers the Raman Family drama in a relatable and humorous way.
Out of the four family members, my favorite was Lata; she seemed to always be aware that she was unhappy and was living her life for her children and parents but she eventually had the strength and mental clarity to get out a marriage she was not happy in. I also enjoyed how self aware her character was when it came to her worries and where they manifested from, especially when she realized Len was crushing on her.
The Raman family had a lot of generational and cultural trauma that affected the communication within their family. With Lata and Suresh being used to not talking, discussing or showing their emotions from their Indian upbringing to Nikesh and Priya being used to hiding or telling half truths or no truths being first generation America.
This was my first read by Deepa Varadarajan and I am open to reading my by her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent, Abortion, Infertility, Alcohol, and Classism
fleetwoodmac's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75