Ancienne journaliste, Umrigar apporte dans sa fiction un regard aiguisé sur les dynamiques sociales, se concentrant particulièrement sur les complexités de la culture indienne et son impact sur la vie des femmes. Ses explorations narratives plongent dans des thèmes tels que l'identité, l'assimilation culturelle et les paysages émotionnels complexes de ses personnages avec une profonde empathie. La prose d'Umrigar est riche et évocatrice, entraînant les lecteurs dans les profondeurs psychologiques de ses protagonistes alors qu'elles naviguent entre défis personnels et attentes sociales. À travers son œuvre, elle offre une perspective nuancée sur la tradition face à la modernité et la quête persistante de la découverte de soi.
Chaque matin depuis vingt ans, dans le Bombay d'aujourd'hui, Bhima quitte sa petite baraque pour rejoindre la maison de Sera Dubash, où elle est domestique. Malgré leur différence de classe et de sang, Bhima et Sera sont liées par leur condition de femme. A travers deux portraits saisissants, ce roman met en scène la tension entre ce qui unit toutes les femmes et ce qui socialement les sépare encore dans l'Inde contemporaine.
Poor and illiterate, Bhima had faithfully worked for the Dubash family, an upper-middle-class Parsi household, for more than twenty years. Yet after courageously speaking the truth about a heinous crime perpetrated against her own family, the devoted servant was cruelly fired. The sting of that dismissal was made more painful coming from Sera Dubash, the temperamental employer who had long been Bhima's only confidante. A woman who has endured despair and loss with stoicism, Bhima must now find some other way to support herself and her granddaughter, Maya. Bhima's fortunes take an unexpected turn when her path intersects with Parvati, a bitter, taciturn older woman. The two acquaintances soon form a tentative business partnership, selling fruits and vegetables at the local market. As they work together, these two women seemingly bound by fate grow closer, each confessing the truth about their lives and the wounds that haunt them. Discovering her first true friend, Bhima pieces together a new life, and together, the two women learn to stand on their own.
A timely and timeless picture book about immigration, refugees, acceptance, and tolerance from a NYT bestselling author.
In this riveting and immersive novel, bestselling author Thrity Umrigar tells the story of two couples and the sometimes dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across a cultural divide.Indian American journalist Smita has returned to India to cover a story, but reluctantly: long ago she and her family left the country with no intention of ever coming back. As she follows the case of Meena—a Hindu woman attacked by members of her own village and her own family for marrying a Muslim man—Smita comes face to face with a society where tradition carries more weight than one’s own heart, and a story that threatens to unearth the painful secrets of Smita’s own past. While Meena’s fate hangs in the balance, Smita tries in every way she can to right the scales. She also finds herself increasingly drawn to Mohan, an Indian man she meets while on assignment. But the dual love stories of Honor are as different as the cultures of Meena and Smita themselves: Smita realizes she has the freedom to enter into a casual affair, knowing she can decide later how much it means to her.In this tender and evocative novel about love, hope, familial devotion, betrayal, and sacrifice, Thrity Umrigar shows us two courageous women trying to navigate how to be true to their homelands and themselves at the same time.
A heart-warming story of facing fear and sharing our culture and experience with our peers.
A riveting story about uncovering family secrets and the power of forgiveness, set in India and the United States, from the bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick Honor Remy Wadia left India for the United States long ago, carrying his resentment of his mother with him. He has now returned to Bombay to adopt a baby from a young pregnant girl--and to see his elderly mother for the first time in several years. Discovering that his mother is in the hospital, has stopped talking, and seems to have given up on life, he is struck with guilt for not realizing just how sick she has become. His unexpected appearance and assiduous attention revives her and enables her to return to her home. But when Remy stumbles on an old photograph, shocking long-held family secrets surface. As the secrets unravel and Remy's mother begins communicating again, he finds himself reevaluating his entire childhood, his relationship to his parents, and his harsh judgment of the decisions and events long hidden from him, just as he is on the cusp of becoming a parent himself. But most of all, he must learn to forgive others for their failures and human frailties. The Museum of Failures is a deeply moving story of secrets and family, and a reminder that forgiveness comes from realizing that the people we love are usually trying to do their best in the most difficult situations.
The story delves into the emotional journey of Maggie, a psychologist whose professional boundaries are challenged when she treats Lakshmi, a young Indian woman struggling with loneliness and a troubled marriage. As their relationship deepens, themes of friendship, love, and the quest for second chances emerge. Set against the backdrop of cultural and personal struggles, the novel explores the profound connections that can form in the face of despair and the transformative power of understanding and compassion.
The story explores the deep grief of Frank and Ellie Benton after the loss of their son, Benny. Their once-happy life in Ann Arbor crumbles, straining their marriage. An unexpected job opportunity in Girbaug, India, offers a chance for renewal. There, Frank forms a bond with Ramesh, a young boy who becomes a focal point for his unresolved grief. As Frank attempts to heal his family, his journey takes a darker turn, leading to unforeseen consequences that challenge his understanding of love and loss.
Exploring themes of grief and resilience, this emotionally-charged narrative delves into the life of a father confronting the aftermath of an unexpected death. As he grapples with unhealed wounds, the story reveals the lengths he will go to shield himself from further pain and loss, highlighting the complexities of love and protection in the face of tragedy.
The memoir explores the author's childhood desire for a unified family through intimate and heartfelt portrayals of her loved ones. This blend of personal insight and compassionate observation resonates deeply, making the narrative both relatable and engaging. The author's reflections on family dynamics and emotional connections provide a profound look into her experiences and relationships.