Apr 22, 2008 10:32 AM
2047 Views
(Updated Apr 24, 2008 09:07 PM)
I got this book from Barnes & noble in Santa Rota, CA when I went to make SSN card.
First of all, it is not a fun book that Yash Chopra might be interested in( nor a sad story of immigrants).
It's a story about Vina, smart girl( of course South Asian American who never listen to her parents) who works in Banking business. Everything seems to be fine except her way of thinking that is always based on Calculation. I can't believe she count the men in her area, and use the possibility theory as we are not like fish or that kind of creasures( She also plan for how long to fall in love, and to get the wedding done). Maybe she is too serious with everything.
After her crisis, she comes up with new idea of what she wants and who she is.
The book makes me think of Padma Lakshmi in Mistress of spices. But she might be too old in the role of Vina. It's my bad habit that I try to equate the characters in the book with actors.
Vina lives in New York. Her best friend is Cuban American lady. I can't blame her on her hyper-ambition. She has to be tougher because it's american requirement. Like other Desi books, Vina was asked quite often " Are you from Punjab?". It might a sub-conciousness of non-white American that they might outdo the white just to be comfortable with people's attitude. Her reference to India is somehow mystic and emotional. Vina expressed injustice of the immigration that her parents have encountered. I think we all know that it is long and painful process.
In the first chapter, she got upset as her parents showed her the guy whom she finds out later that he is Gay. The Guy name is Prakash, and I just visualize him on my mind that the guy who plays in Indian version of ER might fit the role as he looks too good to be a straight.
Vina almost ended up in jail as her boss secretly trade with her clients, and everybody thought Vina has involved in this matter as her bonus is much higher than others. The one who revealed this is an intern whom Vina has fired. Obviously, Vina lost trust with white guy. After she found out she has been cheated by her boyfriend. She thinks every guys might be the same.
The good lesson for Vina is to love by letting her heart tell, not her brain. From the cover of the book, you would see the traditional dress with fancy high heels on the selve. It might tells you that the girls have their own way to walk while maintaining her Identity.
Poonam've done her wonderful job even though she is not in hardcore literature field. She has her Bachelor in Economics from Harvard, and MBA in Real estate from the University of Pennsylvania.
