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A Novel
by Shilpi Somaya GowdaFrom the New York Times bestselling author, a novel in the tradition of Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere, exploring the ties and fractures of a close-knit Indian-American family in the aftermath of a violent encounter with the police.
Pacific Hills, California: Gated communities, ocean views, well-tended lawns, serene pools, and now the new home of the Shah family. For the Shah parents, who came to America twenty years earlier with little more than an education and their new marriage, this move represents the culmination of years of hard work and dreaming. For their children, born and raised in America, success is not so simple.
For the most part, these differences among the five members of the Shah family are minor irritants, arguments between parents and children, older and younger siblings. But one Saturday night, the twelve-year-old son is arrested. The fallout from that event will shake each family member's perception of themselves as individuals, as community members, as Americans, and will lead each to consider: how do we define success? At what cost comes ambition? And what is our role and responsibility in the cultural mosaic of modern America?
For readers of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, A Great Country explores themes of immigration, generational conflict, social class and privilege as it reconsiders the myth of the model minority and questions the price of the American dream.
Excerpt
A Great Country
Saturday
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
While twelve-year-old Ajay sat trembling in a jail cell, his parents were enjoying themselves at a dinner party. The tony coastal enclave of Southern California was situated only hours, but worlds, away from the bustle of Los Angeles and the grit of Tijuana, and not far from the happiest place on earth. Rolling hills through the exclusive neighborhood showcased sprawling estates, bordered by expansive lawns and gated driveways. On one of these properties, perched high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, cocktails were being served and all still seemed well.
"Congratulations, my friend. You have officially arrived," Vikram said, raising his tumbler of single malt toward Ashok. The thick crystal glasses made a satisfying baritone clink as they met. "Welcome to the jewel of Orange County."
Ashok couldn't keep the smile from edging onto his face, even as he shook his head modestly. "Ah, we still have a long way to go before ...
Here are some of the comments posted about A Great Country.
You can see the full discussion here.
Compare Deepa's friendship with Paco to Maya's with Ashley. Where does each friendship stand by the end of the novel?
Deepa and Paco had a mature teenager relationship, built on trust and acceptance. Maya and Ashley, on the other hand, had an immature, early teen friendship, based on superficial items like looks, status, weath. It is interesting, though, that while ... - A.T.
Did the alternating perspectives of each character highlight any important similarities or differences about their experiences and how they move through the world?
The alternating perspectives were effective in providing a glimpse into each character's unique point of view. I agree with Angela and find alternative perspectives of the same event crucial in reducing polarization in our highly polarized ... - K Bosman
Did you find yourself torn about how to feel about any of the characters' reactions or decisions?
One of the things that struck me in the book is how human the author portrayed her characters to be.
In terms of being clueless for example, Deepa clearly didn't understand the danger she put Paco in by insisting he ... - Lyris
Early on, Vikram suggests that money and assets are as effective as weapons for protection. Do you agree with this philosophy?
Rather than write a repetitious post, I too agree with Marcia and Patricia Ann. - rebeccar
How do Jonathan Stern's and Helen Wu's family stories of immigration compare to the Shahs' story?
This section of the story is important as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the broader picture. The notion of a varied immigrant community is significant in the narrative because it reminds (and exposes) readers of the diverse range... - K Bosman
Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push and The Whispers
A deeply moving, layered portrait of the hopes, dreams and fears a family carries as 'other' in the face of the modern American Dream, where social currency and privilege threaten even the most basic of instincts: to protect one's child at all costs. Shilpi Somaya Gowda has the incredible gift of telling poignant, empathetic stories that make us think differently about the world we live in, and A Great Country is no exception. Christine Pride, author of We Are Not Like Them
Shilpi has done it again with A Great Country-- a tender, multi-layered meditation on family and community and how we find our way to belonging in both. The novel is also a poignant reminder that politics (and social justice) is always personal. I know other readers will fall as hard for the Shah family as I did and be enriched by the deep levels of empathy this engrossing story evokes. Therese Ann Fowler
In A Great Country, Shilpi Somaya Gowda has crafted a moving story of an immigrant family's challenges in the wake of their son's troubling arrest. Each character and situation is drawn with heart and nuance, resulting in a masterful portrayal of the pressures on and prejudices of well-meaning people. Right and wrong, good and bad: if only life were so simple. This is a thought-provoking, truly worthwhile book.
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