3.5
Well-Behaved Indian Women
ByPublisher Description
A Lilly's Library Book Club Pick!
“A sparkling debut.”—Emily Giffin, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
From a compelling new voice in women's fiction comes a mother-daughter story about three generations of women who struggle to define themselves as they pursue their dreams.
Simran Mehta has always felt harshly judged by her mother, Nandini, especially when it comes to her little "writing hobby." But when a charismatic and highly respected journalist careens into Simran's life, she begins to question not only her future as a psychologist, but her engagement to her high school sweetheart.
Nandini Mehta has strived to create an easy life for her children in America. From dealing with her husband's demanding family to the casual racism of her patients, everything Nandini has endured has been for her children's sake. It isn’t until an old colleague makes her a life-changing offer that Nandini realizes she's spent so much time focusing on being the Perfect Indian Woman, she’s let herself slip away.
Mimi Kadakia failed her daughter, Nandini, in ways she'll never be able to fix—or forget. But with her granddaughter, she has the chance to be supportive and offer help when it's needed. As life begins to pull Nandini and Simran apart, Mimi is determined to be the bridge that keeps them connected, even as she carries her own secret burden.
“A sparkling debut.”—Emily Giffin, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
From a compelling new voice in women's fiction comes a mother-daughter story about three generations of women who struggle to define themselves as they pursue their dreams.
Simran Mehta has always felt harshly judged by her mother, Nandini, especially when it comes to her little "writing hobby." But when a charismatic and highly respected journalist careens into Simran's life, she begins to question not only her future as a psychologist, but her engagement to her high school sweetheart.
Nandini Mehta has strived to create an easy life for her children in America. From dealing with her husband's demanding family to the casual racism of her patients, everything Nandini has endured has been for her children's sake. It isn’t until an old colleague makes her a life-changing offer that Nandini realizes she's spent so much time focusing on being the Perfect Indian Woman, she’s let herself slip away.
Mimi Kadakia failed her daughter, Nandini, in ways she'll never be able to fix—or forget. But with her granddaughter, she has the chance to be supportive and offer help when it's needed. As life begins to pull Nandini and Simran apart, Mimi is determined to be the bridge that keeps them connected, even as she carries her own secret burden.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesWell-Behaved Indian Women Reviews
3.5
“This book hit close to home for me. As a brown Indian woman, I found myself relating to so many of the emotions and struggles in this story. The pressure to be responsible, make the “right” choices, and meet expectations while also holding onto your own dreams is something that felt very familiar.
What I appreciated most was that the book didn’t present courage as the absence of fear. Instead, it showed how difficult it can be to pursue what you truly want when you’re worried about disappointing people, making the wrong choice, or risking the future you’ve always imagined for yourself.
The story reminded me that many women spend their lives trying to balance duty and desire, tradition and independence, safety and ambition. Seeing that journey through three generations of women made the story even more powerful.
A thoughtful, emotional read that left me feeling seen and reflecting on my own journey.”
“Why do all south asian writers who write about Indian women always write them the same way? Because there is no other way to portray them? The book resonated with me in so many ways. I saw myself as Nandhini. I saw myself as Simran. Ohh. How I wanted her to end up with Neil. But maybe it was better for her to be her own women.”
“This wasn’t necessarily a bad listen. I am happy with how things ended but it felt like every time a main character made progress, they took two steps back later on. But it does do a good job at exploring what it means to do something for yourself vs. doing something because society tells you to do it.”
About Saumya Dave
Saumya Dave is a psychiatrist and mental health advocate. Her essays, articles, and poetry have been featured in The New York Times, ABC News, Refinery29, and other publications. She is the co-founder of thisisforHER, a nonprofit at the nexus of art and women's mental health, and an adjunct professor at Mount Sinai, where she teaches a Narrative Medicine class. She recently completed her Psychiatry Residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she was a chief resident and an inductee into the AΩA Medical Honors Society. She currently resides in New York City with her husband and son. This is her first novel.
Other books by Saumya Dave
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