Reviews

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins

elliya's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Great premise but didn’t deliver. I really enjoyed the first half of this novel, narrated by sisters Tara and Sonia Das. For me, the second half, narrated by their teenage daughters, fell flat. The girls have complex multinational and multiracial identities and I didn’t feel that enough nuance was conveyed onto the page. I did really love the Das family living in New York in the 60s and trying to fit in without fully losing their Bengali heritage, and I loved reading about how Tara went back to her father’s family’s land to reconnect with her Bengali heritage. 

johnnymacaroni's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed the audio version. Really brought the characters to life. I didn’t realize when I started it that it was multigenerational. I haven’t read many (any?) books like that and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked that aspect.

cathiedalziel's review against another edition

3.0

Nice story narrated by 3 inter generational woman from the same Bengali family, and their adaption and integration into American values. This story spans from 1965 up until post 9/11 era.

For those that are more use to watching movies or films than reading books, it was like reading an after school special on how a family emigrates to the U.S.

ctdominguez13's review against another edition

3.0

I did enjoy reading this book but there were a couple of things that kept me from loving it. For one, I feel like I only knew the characters at face value. I don’t think we got to know them at a more deeper level. I think Ranee is the only one who was fully fleshed out. Because of this it was hard for me to care for any of the characters. I do like that we get to follow the Das family throughout the years but I feel that the time and place weren’t really clear at some points. I feel like there wasn’t any huge buildup to big events either which made it difficult to get the full impact of them. They were kind of just explained in one sentence in another POV (with the exception of the father’s death and Didu’s attempt to become “American”).
Lastly, I didn’t like how we got to meet Shanti. The first time we read from her POV we get to see her angry about not fitting entirely into both of her heritages. It felt forced and awkward. And that whole thing with her parents avoiding her grandmothers when they’re together? I understand that it happens but I think it was overdone.

All these things are not to invalidate the issues that the novels bring to light, such as race, class, gender, 9/11, nationality and patriotism and so much more. And for that, I really have a great appreciation for this novel. It really is an enjoyable read, I just wish we got more got more character depth.

jmhvandijk's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-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

3.5

Usually don't read YA but this was a fun little read. Not much depth but a mostly lighthearted story. Some themes did feel a bit forced

literarylover37's review against another edition

5.0

Strongly recommend this one.

kristenremenar's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful, intergenerational story. Reminded me a bit of "Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan. Perfect choice for #ownvoices read. Loved all these women.

judyapneeb's review against another edition

4.0

My only issue with this book is that it should have been longer. This could have easily been 200 or 300 more pages. I loved this book and I wanted to spend more time with the characters.

jwinchell's review against another edition

4.0

I love YA that shows young people crossing borders, navigating cultures and identities, and making sense of the worlds they inhabit. This was a beautiful multi-generational tale of Bengali-American women doing all of the above as they make their own ways with and despite family expectations. Recommended.

rachelbookdragon's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars. This book made me laugh throughout and feel wistful at the end, not wanting it to end. I’m embarrassed to say how long this book has been on my TBR, since before it was even published. I knew I’d love it and I was right. It was the perfect intergenerational story, transcending three generations as they moved to America and balanced their Indian/Bengali heritage with what it means to be an American.

Five voices were highlighted, hearing the story from their perspective, and instantly drawing you in as a reader as their hopes, dreams, and fears play out over the years as you see their lives and the lives of their children unfold over decades from the 70s to 9/11 and beyond.

I really enjoyed the storytelling and the magic of coming of age, strong women changing the world and exploring their passion, and love overcoming challenges and expectations. The discussions of grief, being mixed race, and becoming American while not losing your identity were all strong subjects.

I recommend this historical fiction story for anyone who loves exploring generations within a family and seeing character growth over time and a bit of falling in love.