Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
This is the story of Tina, an Indian American woman, who has always straddled the line between belonging in India and belonging in America. In this novel Tina travels back to India with her divorced parents and her best friend Marianne for her cousin Shefali’s wedding. I loved everything about this book. The descriptions of India were so rich and detailed that I felt like I was vacationing there. The dialogue was sharp and funny and reminded me of any Mindy Kaling show ever. I loved everything about this book and would read it again and recommend to all of my friends.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There were things I really enjoyed about this book and a couple that I struggled with. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
I enjoyed the descriptions of India and Indian culture; it was fascinating to learn about this unfamiliar culture. Plus, you can experience India through the big cast of characters, from Tina's best friend Marianne to her divorced parents and her mom's boyfriend, to the widow her dad meets through an Indian matchmaking organization. Tina’s father was definitely my favorite of the bunch. Some moments were lighthearted and funny, and other moments that felt so relevant to what is going on in the world today. While the story focuses on a lavish Indian wedding, the author incorporates concerns around privilege and prejudices to make this book so much more.
I struggled with the fact that seems a little bogged down in details in a long book. It took a little bit to get used to the style. I was surprised that this book is, in essence, a coming of age tale for several characters that are over thirty. Putting these minor drawbacks aside, Destination Wedding is an enjoyable book.
I enjoyed the descriptions of India and Indian culture; it was fascinating to learn about this unfamiliar culture. Plus, you can experience India through the big cast of characters, from Tina's best friend Marianne to her divorced parents and her mom's boyfriend, to the widow her dad meets through an Indian matchmaking organization. Tina’s father was definitely my favorite of the bunch. Some moments were lighthearted and funny, and other moments that felt so relevant to what is going on in the world today. While the story focuses on a lavish Indian wedding, the author incorporates concerns around privilege and prejudices to make this book so much more.
I struggled with the fact that seems a little bogged down in details in a long book. It took a little bit to get used to the style. I was surprised that this book is, in essence, a coming of age tale for several characters that are over thirty. Putting these minor drawbacks aside, Destination Wedding is an enjoyable book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thanks to Random House for the free copy of this book.
- DESTINATION WEDDING is sort of a mashup of a family saga and a beach read. It has both the over the top glamour of a fluffy book, and exploration of the real, tough feelings of a family trying to relearn who they are.
- While at times there were maybe a few too many plotlines happening, I found that I really did care what happened to everyone, and in particular Tina's parents. Their stories of moving on after divorce felt so loving and genuine.
- DESTINATION WEDDING is sort of a mashup of a family saga and a beach read. It has both the over the top glamour of a fluffy book, and exploration of the real, tough feelings of a family trying to relearn who they are.
- While at times there were maybe a few too many plotlines happening, I found that I really did care what happened to everyone, and in particular Tina's parents. Their stories of moving on after divorce felt so loving and genuine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia, Islamophobia, Dementia, Death of parent
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After the fun adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians came out, there was a lot of (fair) criticism about the dearth of South Asians in the story. This book feels like a response to that, updated and elaborated and lots of asides to give character and consideration to the "small" subordinate characters and background workers, which is a nice touch. While this book in a way felt very made for me (a woman named Tina dealing with the complexities of being a child of the Asian diaspora sad she returns to the motherland and is a little bit boy crazy) I would have enjoyed this more had it not been sold to me as a romance. The storylines of all the older people in the book were much more engaging, and the protagonist and her peers were kinda boring assholes.
I dunno how I feel about this one, on one side I sincerely appreciate the POV of affluent India and the challenging of suffering/poverty porn narrative that is assigned to stories from the area but is luxury and a legion of employees that beckon to our every whim the ultimate goal *anyone* should be striving for? But maybe that is my own guilt of privilege speaking and it's more important for these stories to be told and we will sort out equity and wealth redistribution IRL in the meantime. I can see why Chrissy Teigan would like this book, not shade, but she is very rich.
I dunno how I feel about this one, on one side I sincerely appreciate the POV of affluent India and the challenging of suffering/poverty porn narrative that is assigned to stories from the area but is luxury and a legion of employees that beckon to our every whim the ultimate goal *anyone* should be striving for? But maybe that is my own guilt of privilege speaking and it's more important for these stories to be told and we will sort out equity and wealth redistribution IRL in the meantime. I can see why Chrissy Teigan would like this book, not shade, but she is very rich.
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes