(6/26/2010)
I am proud to be Indian and proud to be an American. The Inheritance of loss book hurt my feelings as an Indian.
The author is comparing the poor class of India to the advanced countries like England and America.The author clearly lacks insight about Indian lifestyle - Poor people recycle and there is nothing wrong if the restaurant owners wife ties her hair with the ribbon which came from the dry fruit box - In America we call it recycling!
If the author had been to Japan, there still are squat toilets - just visit the airport.
Amul butter - has the author even tasted it - without any reason she keeps calling it waterproof!
This very same Amul butter is sold as organic butter in USA.
Also every other page mentions how desperate Biju is to get a greencard - who is not?? Illegal or not - all want to live in an advanced country and enjoy a good life. - At least he is hardworking and not selling drugs and harming US citizens. He is earning money so that his poor dad can have a better life.
Ms. Desai has probably not seen the poor people suffering in India - pregnant women dont eat for days as they have to feed their husband and little ones, kids have to work at the age of 6, as the government does nothing for them.
The poor in America at least get to eat peanut butter sandwich.
Also, in each race- White,African, Indian,European - who does not have flaws - all do thats why we are human - but how does it feel to be humiliated by your own race??
The purpose of this review is just my opinion about the book and not to offend anyone.