What do you think?
Rate this book
A Great Country
From 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.
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.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2024
About the author
Shilpi Somaya Gowda
8 books73.5k followersShilpi Somaya Gowda is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of 4 novels: Secret Daughter (2010), The Golden Son (2015), The Shape of Family (2020), and A Great Country (March 26, 2024). Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages, been #1 international bestsellers in several countries and sold more than two million copies worldwide.
Shilpi was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She spent a college summer as a volunteer in an Indian orphanage, which seeded the idea for her first novel and the transition from a business career to a becoming a writer: Secret Daughter was an IndieNext Great Read, a Target Book Club Pick, a ChaptersIndigo Heather’s Pick, and an Amnesty International Book Club Pick. It was a finalist for the South African Boeke Literary Prize and the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It is in production with Amazon Studios to be a feature film, starring Priyanka Chopra and Sienna Miller. The Golden Son was also a Target Book Club Pick, a Costco Buyer’s Pick, and was awarded the French literary prize, Prix des Lyceens Folio. The Shape of Family was an international and American bestseller.
Her fourth novel, A Great Country will be published on March 26, 2024 in North America, then in other territories around the world. It has been named an Anticipated/Top Book of 2024 by over a dozen publications, a Heather's Pick at Indigo, and received a starred review from Publishers’ Weekly.
Shilpi holds an MBA from Stanford University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a Morehead-Cain scholar. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Children's Defense Fund, and is a Patron of Childhaven International, the organization for which she volunteered in India. She now lives in California.
Shilpi was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She spent a college summer as a volunteer in an Indian orphanage, which seeded the idea for her first novel and the transition from a business career to a becoming a writer: Secret Daughter was an IndieNext Great Read, a Target Book Club Pick, a ChaptersIndigo Heather’s Pick, and an Amnesty International Book Club Pick. It was a finalist for the South African Boeke Literary Prize and the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It is in production with Amazon Studios to be a feature film, starring Priyanka Chopra and Sienna Miller. The Golden Son was also a Target Book Club Pick, a Costco Buyer’s Pick, and was awarded the French literary prize, Prix des Lyceens Folio. The Shape of Family was an international and American bestseller.
Her fourth novel, A Great Country will be published on March 26, 2024 in North America, then in other territories around the world. It has been named an Anticipated/Top Book of 2024 by over a dozen publications, a Heather's Pick at Indigo, and received a starred review from Publishers’ Weekly.
Shilpi holds an MBA from Stanford University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a Morehead-Cain scholar. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Children's Defense Fund, and is a Patron of Childhaven International, the organization for which she volunteered in India. She now lives in California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 482 reviews
April 6, 2024
When the Shah family has a chance to move into a gated community in Pacific Hills, California they jump at it. All of their hard work has finally paid off and everything is going to be perfect. Until their 12 year old son is arrested and sends them down a path they couldn't imagine would happen to them.
This was an emotional thought provoking read and I couldn't put it down. I wish it had been longer.
This was an emotional thought provoking read and I couldn't put it down. I wish it had been longer.
February 3, 2024
Ashok and Priya emigrated from India to the United States to build a better life. They worked hard, and Priya gave birth to three children. Their dreams are coming true as they have just moved to the exclusive Palisades Hills area. But when their twelve year old neurodivergent son is arrested, a nightmare begins for the family and the parents learn a lot about their other two children, some cultural realities about America and the American dream.
I loved this book and recommended it to my husband who also really liked it. Well written and plotted, with fully developed characterizations, the author has her pulse on our present day social and political climate. It is an engrossing, fast read that I didn’t want to put down.
The immigrant experience felt by so many is captured and brought to life on the pages of this book. People work hard, pay taxes, support the economy, provide essential services and yet are vilified. There is prejudice, often inhumane treatment, and ever present feelings of vulnerability, especially if their skin is dark and the ever present conflict between trying to assimilate yet holding on to one’s heritage.
I think this would make an excellent selection for a book club…so much “grist” for discussion…not only topics mentioned above but also policing, white privilege, systemic racism, stereotyping, generational differences, the price of upward mobility. As an aside, it was interesting learning about the present day caste system in India.
Thanks to @netgalley and @marinerbooks for the DRC.
I loved this book and recommended it to my husband who also really liked it. Well written and plotted, with fully developed characterizations, the author has her pulse on our present day social and political climate. It is an engrossing, fast read that I didn’t want to put down.
The immigrant experience felt by so many is captured and brought to life on the pages of this book. People work hard, pay taxes, support the economy, provide essential services and yet are vilified. There is prejudice, often inhumane treatment, and ever present feelings of vulnerability, especially if their skin is dark and the ever present conflict between trying to assimilate yet holding on to one’s heritage.
I think this would make an excellent selection for a book club…so much “grist” for discussion…not only topics mentioned above but also policing, white privilege, systemic racism, stereotyping, generational differences, the price of upward mobility. As an aside, it was interesting learning about the present day caste system in India.
Thanks to @netgalley and @marinerbooks for the DRC.
April 22, 2024
4.5⭐️ When a violent encounter with the police rocks a close knit Indian-American family to the core, each will question their place in society and what it means to be “successful” in America.
This book was heartbreaking, but an important exploration of the immigrant experience and what it means to be truly integrated in a country touted as a “melting pot”. As thought provoking as it was enraging, Gowda explores the intersection of race and wealth in an intimate way, utilizing the Shah family’s very real and painful experience. And as this family comes to terms with what has happened, the ensuing generational conflict - of being an immigrant versus the children of an immigrant - added even more depth and food for thought.
This would make an absolutely fantastic book club pick as a lot of themes included make for an engaging discussion.
👉🏻 Read if you like: literary fiction, family dramas, stories of the immigrant experience, Indian-American rep, ensemble casts, neurodivergent rep, thought provoking reads
Thank you Mariner Books for the gifted copy.
This book was heartbreaking, but an important exploration of the immigrant experience and what it means to be truly integrated in a country touted as a “melting pot”. As thought provoking as it was enraging, Gowda explores the intersection of race and wealth in an intimate way, utilizing the Shah family’s very real and painful experience. And as this family comes to terms with what has happened, the ensuing generational conflict - of being an immigrant versus the children of an immigrant - added even more depth and food for thought.
This would make an absolutely fantastic book club pick as a lot of themes included make for an engaging discussion.
👉🏻 Read if you like: literary fiction, family dramas, stories of the immigrant experience, Indian-American rep, ensemble casts, neurodivergent rep, thought provoking reads
Thank you Mariner Books for the gifted copy.
October 17, 2023
The Shah family has just moved into the coveted Pacific Hills neighborhood. When Ashok and Priya immigrated to the US, they could only dream of one day living in this gated community with their children. They have worked hard to get to this point. Their oldest daughter, Deepa, isn't happy with the move and has constant arguments with her parents who she considers close minded. Maya, the middle daughter, is desperate to fit into this new school and has even become close friends with the daughter of a wealthy family. When the youngest child, 12 year old Ajay, is arrested, the Shah's have to face some hard truths about themselves and their community.
I didnt just read this book, I FELT this book. The struggles of new immigrants, and raising children in this foreign country. Wanting to blend in yet hold on to your roots. I saw my parents while reading about the characters. As an adult, I have such a new appreciation for my parents and what they went through. As a child of immigrants, I also relate to the experiences of the children. This book brought about so many emotions within me.
This book takes the fear that every brown skinned immigrant tries so hard to hide, and shines a bright light on it. It is exhausting trying to assimilate, not bring unwanted attention to yourself, and still live a normal life, but nothing about a life like that is normal.
This was a pretty quick read, I almost wished it was longer because there seemed to be so much more to delve into, especially the other families in the book, particularly the Bakers and the Sharmas, as well as the police officers. I've enjoyed the author's other books as well and look forward to more from her.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for providing the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I didnt just read this book, I FELT this book. The struggles of new immigrants, and raising children in this foreign country. Wanting to blend in yet hold on to your roots. I saw my parents while reading about the characters. As an adult, I have such a new appreciation for my parents and what they went through. As a child of immigrants, I also relate to the experiences of the children. This book brought about so many emotions within me.
This book takes the fear that every brown skinned immigrant tries so hard to hide, and shines a bright light on it. It is exhausting trying to assimilate, not bring unwanted attention to yourself, and still live a normal life, but nothing about a life like that is normal.
This was a pretty quick read, I almost wished it was longer because there seemed to be so much more to delve into, especially the other families in the book, particularly the Bakers and the Sharmas, as well as the police officers. I've enjoyed the author's other books as well and look forward to more from her.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for providing the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 16, 2023
I motored through this and loved it! Favorite book of the year. I’m gonna go read her other three books right now.
May 20, 2024
The Shah family from India seems to have everything. They moved to Pacific Hills, a ( fictional) Southern California gated community, with ocean views, well-tended lawns, and swimming pools--and great connections. This move was the culmination of years of hard work and dreaming the American Dream. It's a success story and it looks like their children, who were born and raised in America, will go on to also become successful... And then, one day, the Shah's twelve-year-old boy is arrested by the police, an event which will shake their perceptions of themselves as community members and Americans... A story that reconsiders what it means to be a member of the "model minority."
4/5 stars and thanks to Mariner Books for this Advance Reader's Edition.
4/5 stars and thanks to Mariner Books for this Advance Reader's Edition.
July 7, 2024
Liked it!
Also think this would be a good one to discuss since it brings up a lot of topics about community, immigration, police brutality, caste system, and prejudices.
Also think this would be a good one to discuss since it brings up a lot of topics about community, immigration, police brutality, caste system, and prejudices.
March 26, 2024
Astute, fast-paced, and thought-provoking!
A Great Country is a nuanced, absorbing tale set in Pacific Heights, California that takes you into the lives of the Indian American Shah family as their lives get turned upside down when the youngest member of the family, twelve-year-old Ajay, is brutally arrested and they must each individually confront their conflicting feelings and experiences with systemic racism, prejudice, privilege, controversy, reputation, and ableism.
The prose is well-turned and fluid. The characters are flawed, troubled, and confused. And the plot is a moving tale of life, loss, shame, reputation, ostracism, class division, suffering, friendship, culture, and familial drama.
Overall, A Great Country is a hopeful, compelling, multi-generational saga by Gowda that is a good reminder that family can be frustrating, messy, secretive, and sometimes hard to love, but they can also be surprising, supportive, loyal, and the only true place that feels like home.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
A Great Country is a nuanced, absorbing tale set in Pacific Heights, California that takes you into the lives of the Indian American Shah family as their lives get turned upside down when the youngest member of the family, twelve-year-old Ajay, is brutally arrested and they must each individually confront their conflicting feelings and experiences with systemic racism, prejudice, privilege, controversy, reputation, and ableism.
The prose is well-turned and fluid. The characters are flawed, troubled, and confused. And the plot is a moving tale of life, loss, shame, reputation, ostracism, class division, suffering, friendship, culture, and familial drama.
Overall, A Great Country is a hopeful, compelling, multi-generational saga by Gowda that is a good reminder that family can be frustrating, messy, secretive, and sometimes hard to love, but they can also be surprising, supportive, loyal, and the only true place that feels like home.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2024
Important issues like race, class, police brutality and immigration get muddled and dumbed down in this book. It reads like a practice novel that a high school or college kid wrote to stuff as many hot button, woke topics into a 250 page book as possible. The whole premise seemed unrealistic to me and the ending? Everything tied up in a bow?! Not sure what message the author is trying to make.
March 19, 2024
I saw this one on the most anticipated releases on Indigo Canada’s website and I went to see if I could request the e-arc right away. It sounded right up my alley, especially when I saw it compared to Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng which I also loved.
I was kindly provided an arc and I’m so glad I read it because I truly loved this book. The author was able to intertwine so many important topics into a family saga in such a succinct way in this novel. Less than 300 pages!
This one is thought provoking, angering, and hopeful in so many ways. We are entered into the life of an Indian family who lives in California, they have made so many sacrifices and done everything right to be the “model minority” so they don’t see it coming when their 12 year old son is roped into a legal case for innocently flying his drone near an airport.
It discusses the Indian caste system which I only learned about myself a couple years ago, the continuation of discrimination not just from white people but from other minorities and how that can further disrupt progress and create divide. It also touches on neurodivergence in what I think was a very well done way.
I absolutely loved this one. It comes out next week so I recommend you grab a copy asap!!
4.5/5⭐️ loved it!!
I was kindly provided an arc and I’m so glad I read it because I truly loved this book. The author was able to intertwine so many important topics into a family saga in such a succinct way in this novel. Less than 300 pages!
This one is thought provoking, angering, and hopeful in so many ways. We are entered into the life of an Indian family who lives in California, they have made so many sacrifices and done everything right to be the “model minority” so they don’t see it coming when their 12 year old son is roped into a legal case for innocently flying his drone near an airport.
It discusses the Indian caste system which I only learned about myself a couple years ago, the continuation of discrimination not just from white people but from other minorities and how that can further disrupt progress and create divide. It also touches on neurodivergence in what I think was a very well done way.
I absolutely loved this one. It comes out next week so I recommend you grab a copy asap!!
4.5/5⭐️ loved it!!
April 14, 2024
“ A Great Country “ is an emotional, thought provoking read that I found hard to put down but filled me with me so many emotions. Shilpi Somaya Gowda takes on issues facing our country and does so in a very thoughtful way highlighting many perspectives. This should be in recommended in every high school and college English classes to raise awareness and creat meaningful dialogue on current issues. I can’t wait to discuss it in my book discussion club!
May 30, 2024
A very readable and relatable novel but its short length made it feel more cursory than penetrant. A 3.5 for me.
April 15, 2024
Thank you Mariner Books #partner for gifting me an e-copy via NetGalley! I enjoyed this book so much that I had to get a finished copy and audiobook for myself!
——
I’ve been withholding reviewing this book because I feel that my words cannot do justice to how A Great Book this is (see what I did?). We’re only on month 4 but I definitely know this book is making it to my top 10 2024 reads.
The story begins with an Indian immigrant family who finally gets to buy a new house in one of the poshiest Californian neighborhoods after years of planning and working hard to get to their current success. However their American dream comes to a standstill when their son gets mixed up in a terrible confrontation with the police. Their other two daughters also become involved in different situations and the family is left to contemplate the costs of immigrating even though they played by all the rules of the land.
What I REALLY loved about this book is the effective representation of different types of immigrants from different parts of the world, and also the differences of opinions and generational conflicts faced within immigrants. So often, our media places all immigrants into one giant box, and many Americans do not realize the different pathways immigrants have to move to The States. This book explains all this effortlessly, and for this reason, I highly recommend you read this book no matter where you stand on the issues of politics and immigration.
The author also presents current issues as facts without pointing fingers at a specific crowd. In the book, we come to know of good and bad cops, good and bad neighbors and that sometimes our support system comes from the most unexpected places. I have MAD RESPECT for this masterpiece and hope it makes its way into all the book clubs!
——
I’ve been withholding reviewing this book because I feel that my words cannot do justice to how A Great Book this is (see what I did?). We’re only on month 4 but I definitely know this book is making it to my top 10 2024 reads.
The story begins with an Indian immigrant family who finally gets to buy a new house in one of the poshiest Californian neighborhoods after years of planning and working hard to get to their current success. However their American dream comes to a standstill when their son gets mixed up in a terrible confrontation with the police. Their other two daughters also become involved in different situations and the family is left to contemplate the costs of immigrating even though they played by all the rules of the land.
What I REALLY loved about this book is the effective representation of different types of immigrants from different parts of the world, and also the differences of opinions and generational conflicts faced within immigrants. So often, our media places all immigrants into one giant box, and many Americans do not realize the different pathways immigrants have to move to The States. This book explains all this effortlessly, and for this reason, I highly recommend you read this book no matter where you stand on the issues of politics and immigration.
The author also presents current issues as facts without pointing fingers at a specific crowd. In the book, we come to know of good and bad cops, good and bad neighbors and that sometimes our support system comes from the most unexpected places. I have MAD RESPECT for this masterpiece and hope it makes its way into all the book clubs!
February 16, 2024
When describing A Great Country by Shilpi Somaya Gowda, words like powerful, timely, eye-opening, and educational immediately come to mind. The novel follows an Indian-American family living quite comfortably in California until a police encounter with one of their family members goes horribly wrong. It sheds some light on the current political and social issues present in America today by exploring themes like immigration, race, class, privilege, community, and culture. It also explains the caste system in India, which is essentially a social hierarchy passed down through families and generations. I was not aware of such system, so I appreciated the eye-opening insight. This novel is perfect for fans of Little Fires Everywhere, A Place for Us, and Our Best Intentions. Book clubs will really love this one as well. 4/5 stars for this very important read! It’s out on March 26th!
May 8, 2024
Unfortunately, this book was filled with too many cliches. I was rolling my eyes a bit as the character’s developed in predictable ways - and how many of the characters were simplified to an extreme - the poor hispanic family, the white wealthy family, the good cop, the well behaved daughter etc. It also tried to cover too much while not saying anything new.
May 10, 2024
2.5 🌟 rounded up to 3. Obviously, my rating is much lower than the 4.02 on Goodreads. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this was just so BORING and felt like a public service announcement. The beginning was strong, but then it hit a dead end. I've enjoyed her other books much more.
June 3, 2024
Loved it. Thought provoking, with an interesting look at racism and privilege in many different forms in America.
January 2, 2024
A domestic thriller with bite, A Great Country brings that contemporary thrill to a story of an Indian family that is steadily moving up in stature and community.
Set in California: we meet the Shahs - a first generation Indian family who has worked and sacrificed in order to provide excellent opportunities for their three children. All. three are acclimating to their new home in the Beverly Hills style school district, leaving their familiar friends and lifestyle behind. When the youngest is arrested and jailed at age 12, a small snowball of a situation becomes a boulder, than an avalanche.
I loved reading and experiencing the different opinions of the many characters involved in this story. The characters and actions rang true! Somaya Gowda provides plenty of backstory in short chapters that move the story along quickly. It was fascinating, entertaining and satisfying!
From the publisher: 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.
#mariner #shilpisomayagowda #agreatcountry
Set in California: we meet the Shahs - a first generation Indian family who has worked and sacrificed in order to provide excellent opportunities for their three children. All. three are acclimating to their new home in the Beverly Hills style school district, leaving their familiar friends and lifestyle behind. When the youngest is arrested and jailed at age 12, a small snowball of a situation becomes a boulder, than an avalanche.
I loved reading and experiencing the different opinions of the many characters involved in this story. The characters and actions rang true! Somaya Gowda provides plenty of backstory in short chapters that move the story along quickly. It was fascinating, entertaining and satisfying!
From the publisher: 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.
#mariner #shilpisomayagowda #agreatcountry
May 5, 2024
I recently read that people who read fiction develop greater skills of empathy—and this novel is an exercise in empathy. It’s addresses immigration, the meaning of family and friends, and the racial makeup and inequalities of America. And yet the author skillfully rolls all of those big themes into a readable and believable story. At times I found my mama’s heart aching intensely.
January 1, 2024
I was so excited to get a copy of this book as I am such a huge fan of the author. This was an enjoyable read that really shows some different perspectives of living in the USA, really North America in general. The inequalities that many people face and at different levels based on privilege. Plus I loved the cover!
April 15, 2024
I have read and enjoyed all of Shilpi Somaya Gowda's books, but this one has to be my favorite. The story covers so many important social issues in a fast paced story - I couldn't put the book down. Every character rings true. It is entertaining and thought provoking. Would be a fantastic book club book.
April 9, 2024
Sad at times. Great story and characters. Makes you think!
Happy reading 📖
Happy reading 📖
November 28, 2023
OOOOH I loved this book. It's nuanced and thought-provoking AND ALSO vivid and blistering - in other words, it's massively memorable, and endlessly discussable, and frankly unputdownable. I blazed through it in an evening; it's been a while since I cancelled my plans for a book, but I was so absorbed I couldn't not.
Why'd I love it? The writing was strong - no complaints - but the storytelling was spectacular. I needed to know, at first, what had happened and would happen to Ajay, the 12-year-old son, but soon I felt the same investment and care for every member of the Shah family. This author is brilliant at capturing what it means to be human, and to try your best, and how you deal with things you can't control. Normally I struggle with multiple protagonists/POVs, but she brought each one to life vibrantly and unmistakably. (I will say I didn't 100% love the ending - but the overall reading experience was a solid five stars regardless. )
This novel raises discomfiting and powerful questions about race and class and policing. I'm really eager to hear how other folks receive and react to it.
Thanks to Mariner Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Why'd I love it? The writing was strong - no complaints - but the storytelling was spectacular. I needed to know, at first, what had happened and would happen to Ajay, the 12-year-old son, but soon I felt the same investment and care for every member of the Shah family. This author is brilliant at capturing what it means to be human, and to try your best, and how you deal with things you can't control. Normally I struggle with multiple protagonists/POVs, but she brought each one to life vibrantly and unmistakably. (I will say I didn't 100% love the ending - but the overall reading experience was a solid five stars regardless. )
This novel raises discomfiting and powerful questions about race and class and policing. I'm really eager to hear how other folks receive and react to it.
Thanks to Mariner Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
April 18, 2024
As soon as I started reading I knew that this book was going to piss me off and it did! But it was enlightening seeing these situations from another lens. It helped me understand why some people see an unjust event and can easily look the other way until it's one of their own. Even when it is their own, how they can still look at the situation with rose colored glasses. I know as a black woman, I would look at incident of police brutality against a black person and wonder how other people of color couldn't care in the slightest. This book help sheds a little light on why that is the case. Of course my favorite character was Deepa because she was trying her best to learn how to be an ally to those without model minority privilege. Poor Ajay was just a smart, inquisitive (and likely autistic) kid who innocently got caught up. It makes you think how kids from other races might have suffered a more horrific fate. Well done and beautifully written, Gowda!
Rounded up from 4.5.
Rounded up from 4.5.
March 6, 2024
A Great Country by Shilpi Somaya Gowda. Thanks to @marinerbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Shah family has built a successful life for themselves in America; recently moving to a wealthy gated community. It all is at risk when their twelve year old son is arrested.
A great read that really speaks to current events from several perspectives. I loved how we see the situation from the young, progressive daughter’s eyes and also from the more reserved immigrant parents who value hard work and keeping clean. Their views of course conflict, and that’s part of the story. I felt so sad for the son and what he was going through, but considering real life events.. he was lucky to survive. The story talks about this as well.
“No matter what his papers said, he was a visitor here, at the mercy of whoever guarded his path with a badge and gun.”
A Great Country comes out 3/26.
The Shah family has built a successful life for themselves in America; recently moving to a wealthy gated community. It all is at risk when their twelve year old son is arrested.
A great read that really speaks to current events from several perspectives. I loved how we see the situation from the young, progressive daughter’s eyes and also from the more reserved immigrant parents who value hard work and keeping clean. Their views of course conflict, and that’s part of the story. I felt so sad for the son and what he was going through, but considering real life events.. he was lucky to survive. The story talks about this as well.
“No matter what his papers said, he was a visitor here, at the mercy of whoever guarded his path with a badge and gun.”
A Great Country comes out 3/26.
March 25, 2024
A heartfelt, incredibly moving, ripped from the headlines story about a South Asian immigrant family chasing the American dream in California only to have their suburban life turned upside down when their tall, 12 year old neurodiverse son is detained and abused by the police.
Relatable and all too real, this story is about family, generational divides, race relations in America and police brutality. It was also great on audio with an important author's note included at the end. Highly recommended, especially for fans of books like A good neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. This is by far my new favorite book by the author and it is sure to be a book club contender and a great source of discussion.
Relatable and all too real, this story is about family, generational divides, race relations in America and police brutality. It was also great on audio with an important author's note included at the end. Highly recommended, especially for fans of books like A good neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. This is by far my new favorite book by the author and it is sure to be a book club contender and a great source of discussion.
May 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this novel A GREAT COUNTRY by Shilpi Somaya Gowda! I found it very engaging as we follow the Shah family, an Indian-American family, living in California, whose twelve year old son gets arrested and then the ensuing fallout. This novel explores the themes of racism, classism and generational differences in the pursuit of the American dream. It was interesting how each of the five family members dealt with the trauma in their own way. This is definitely for fans of Celeste Ng. It was giving me Our Missing Hearts vibes. I loved how this novel delved into the complexities of immigrant families and the perceptions put upon them.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for my gifted review copy!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for my gifted review copy!
April 18, 2024
I really enjoyed this fast paced book set in Irvine, CA. The story is about an immigrant family from India. It deals with multiple issues including race & class, but also highlights the constant pressure the parents feel to be the “perfect family” which adds more stress on their kids.
It drew attention to the way some people treat immigrant families (even though all of their children were born in the U.S.) There are still feelings of “less than“ and shame from others. The way some police officers dealt with their special needs son was quite disturbing.
In some ways it seemed like a saga yet it was a concise and quick read.
It drew attention to the way some people treat immigrant families (even though all of their children were born in the U.S.) There are still feelings of “less than“ and shame from others. The way some police officers dealt with their special needs son was quite disturbing.
In some ways it seemed like a saga yet it was a concise and quick read.
April 10, 2024
What an interesting story with so many nuanced perspectives. I really liked how fast-paced and conversational the writing was. The multiple perspectives were extremely well expressed throughout the narration, but the conversations could also be heavy handed at times and it would take me out of the story. The ideas in this story remind me of the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson, it was interesting to read a fictional narrative that incorporated the ideas of that book. Definitely enjoyed the story and its messages as a whole!
April 8, 2024
4.5 rounded up
How do we see and interact with people who look different than us? This book was a look at an immigrant family and the assumptions made about their 12 year old, autistic son, who gets arrested and injured while in custody. Eye opening book onto the inequalities and injustice many face even today.
How do we see and interact with people who look different than us? This book was a look at an immigrant family and the assumptions made about their 12 year old, autistic son, who gets arrested and injured while in custody. Eye opening book onto the inequalities and injustice many face even today.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 482 reviews