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A review by bookishevy
Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan
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