Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
An important and relevant book, the story was one I couldn’t put down. Priya and Ashok left India to find the American dream, moving to California, working hard and starting a family. Their youngest child, a 12 year old neurodivergent boy, is arrested by the police and mistreated. Charged with trespassing and other crimes after innocently testing out a homemade drone, Ajay spends six hours in an adult prison while his parents try to figure out what happened. Immediately the press jumps to conclusions, calling the Hindu family Muslim and questioning ties to jihadists, which was not at all what this hard working family was, but also opened their eyes to what prejudice and discrimination could exist, as it did in India, I highly recommend this fast moving story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I read this book in one setting -- the story, the characters, the setting, all written with depth and understanding. Set primarily during a two-week period in southern California, Ashok and Priya Shah emigrated from India over 20 years ago to find fulfilling work, a home, success and start a family. They believe their struggles have paid off when they move into a gated, expensive neighborhood called Pacific Heights. While Ashok and Priya are at a neighbor's dinner party, their 12-year-old son -- undiagnosed but probably on the Asperger's/autism spectrum -- sits in a jail cell after being arrested for trespassing at a small airport near the family's home and flying a drone over the runways. Meanwhile, the Ashok's two daughters, Deepa and Maya, have taken different paths after the move to the new house. Deepa, a budding protestor and civil rights advocate, has snuck off to a protest at the southern border instead of picking up her siblings. Maya, a talented field hockey goalie, has enmeshed herself in the wealthy Baker family's life -- becoming best friends with their daughter, swooning over their handsome son, and doing whatever she can to be like them.
Shilpi Gowda captures the immigrant experience so fully -- I felt so immersed in these characters' lives. The reader really understands what has been going on for years regarding prejudice, racial profiling, the chaos and fear many people experience in our criminal justice system. This would make a perfect book club selection, and I plan to recommend it to my book club.
Thank you to Mariner Books for providing me with an Advanced Reader's Edition.
Shilpi Gowda captures the immigrant experience so fully -- I felt so immersed in these characters' lives. The reader really understands what has been going on for years regarding prejudice, racial profiling, the chaos and fear many people experience in our criminal justice system. This would make a perfect book club selection, and I plan to recommend it to my book club.
Thank you to Mariner Books for providing me with an Advanced Reader's Edition.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
this was february's book club for me, and not one i would have picked up on my own. there's nothing wrong with this book per say, it's a fine story although i find the author's voice bland, and repetitive. there's a lot of started, and stopped threads to the story, but it's pretty realistic to real life so it's find. unfortunately, i don't have much to say, it was a fine book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality
Minor: Vomit
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
“It shouldn’t have to happen to you for you to care about it.”
The Shah family (mom, dad, two teenage girls and a 12 year old son) live in Orange County in Southern California and enjoy a modest living, something the parents have worked very hard for. Their lives become upended one afternoon when their neurodivergent (likely ASD) son, who is very tall for his age, is mistaken for a possible terrorist and is brutally detained and arrested. While it seems clear that his arrest is an error and misunderstanding, their nonwhiteness is a factor in the investigation and subsequent media coverage.
Really enjoyed this book and the way the author took the time to develop the story. There were a few plot points that felt too easily resolved / glossed over, but for the most part I found this to be a thought provoking story.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent, with many voices for the characters and a distinct narrator in addition. A+ for that.
The Shah family (mom, dad, two teenage girls and a 12 year old son) live in Orange County in Southern California and enjoy a modest living, something the parents have worked very hard for. Their lives become upended one afternoon when their neurodivergent (likely ASD) son, who is very tall for his age, is mistaken for a possible terrorist and is brutally detained and arrested. While it seems clear that his arrest is an error and misunderstanding, their nonwhiteness is a factor in the investigation and subsequent media coverage.
Really enjoyed this book and the way the author took the time to develop the story. There were a few plot points that felt too easily resolved / glossed over, but for the most part I found this to be a thought provoking story.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent, with many voices for the characters and a distinct narrator in addition. A+ for that.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
I checked this out from the library, but I just purchased a copy for my bookshelf. I, no joke, own less than 10 books. While this isn't the biggest "difference" highlighted in the book, the representation of a family with a neurodiverse child made me feel seen. I rarely reread books, but I will definitely revisit this one.
I am so glad to have read this for a book club. I haven't been reaching for general fiction as much lately, so I wouldn't have read this otherwise.
I am so glad to have read this for a book club. I haven't been reaching for general fiction as much lately, so I wouldn't have read this otherwise.
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated