It sounded very promising on the back, about an adopted girl who sets out to find her parents, a hippie mom and a Eurasian dad. There were some interesting descriptions about her trip from the Eastern US to California, driving across time zones a day at a time, and passing small towns just like her hometown that she wonders why people chose to live in. However, I didn’t like the book, didn’t like the relationships the character kept forming, and found the author interview at the back more interesting than the novel. One interesting comment she made was about using myths in cross-cultural ways, that the “megascale diaspora” of today make myths even more applicable because their themes appeal and speak to all, regardless of ethnicity. I found this intriguing; sadly I hadn’t really noticed the influence of myth while reading the novel. One of the questions at the end in the guide is about identity: What are the dangers of inventing one’s identity? Again, interesting question but not an interesting novel.
I found this novel mysteriously sitting on the shelf in my room, so I decided it was worth a read. Although I didn't find it to be anything super special, it was a wonderfully told story. I'm usually not one who likes coming of age stories, but this one was a bit different as it involved some more mature topics such as murder and resentment. One thing I really appreciated about the story was how well it managed to include the history of each character and how creatively it incorporated India into the story. This book was definitely worth reading, but it could have improved in some parts where it came of as a bit too cliche or cheesy. Overall, though, it was very good!
What do You think about Leave It To Me (1999)?
I absolutely did not understand this novel at all. At first I understood what was happening, there is this girl name Debby, she is adopted by an Italian Family and when she is 23 she leaves them and go to California to find her real parents. I do not understand everything after she leaves. Who does she meet, Ham, Jess, who did she kill?, how did she plan to seek revenge on her parents. I finished the book, but i do not understand everything after she left New York. Could some one please explain in full detail what happens after, and explain the characters until the end of this novel?
—Ryan
Terrible. Don't even attempt lah. I had such high hopes for this one, what with it being a New York Times notable book; having rave reviews from the Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, People, New York Daily; it being inducted into the Ballantine Readers' Circle, it having a group reading guide. Urgh, but no. Ms Mukerjee's pingpong-ing plot, here there everywhere. Erratic would sum it up. Erratic. Erratic. Erratic. If it weren't for my severe respect for the published tome, the pages of this one would be destined to be bin-liners.
—Kataklicik
