A review by farbooksventure
If You See Me, Don't Say Hi by Neel Patel

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

If You See Me, Don't Say Hi is a collection of short stories centered around various Indian American characters & the life they lead. These characters are flawed & faced so many types of struggles in their life. In these stories, Neel Patel aims to humanize a group of people that have been hurt by a long-held stereotype for way too long.

This is the 1'st book rec by The StoryGraph's algorithm that I ever read. They totally nail it! It's precisely the type of short story that I'm really drawn to these days.

I love the realistic portrayal that the author attempt to make. Sure, it can be quite sad at times. But that just the reality of life. I always enjoy reading melancholic/bittersweet portrayal of life in books. The audiobook production is good too. Neel Patel definitely has a way with words.

That's being said, the book becomes quite repetitive towards the end. These short stories deal with the theme of relationships (mainly romantics one). I'm so over it by the end. Most of them aren't memorable enough on their own. They basically blend into one giant mess of narrative in my head. I can't remember much about these stories.

The only exception of this would be two related short stories that closed this book. Another favorite of mine explores a non-romantic relationship between brothers. This is the short story that becomes the title of this collection. It explores the high & low of two brothers' complicated relationships over the years & it makes an interesting read. Other stories? Don't remember much about them.

Finding these favorite short stories also doesn't erase the fact that I'm procrastinating on this audiobook for days because I'm so bored by it. It's not a good sign.

If You See Me, Don't Say Hi definitely has so much potential. Sadly, most stories in it are a huge miss for me.

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