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The author, Manju Kapur delicately unravels the story of this desperate but moving marriage. Nina, a thirty year old English lecturer, lives with her widowed mother. After several attempts to arrange a marriage for Nina, a marriage is arranged with Ananda, a family acquaintance living in Canada.
Nina questions whether she can give up her home and career, to build a new life in Canada with a husband she barely knows.
Nina questions whether she can give up her home and career, to build a new life in Canada with a husband she barely knows.
Ananda left India as a young man in Halifax, Canada after the demise of his parents. In his new adopted country, he trains as a dentist. Although Ananda has worked hard in assuming a Canadian identity, he is not able to accept marriage with a Canadian woman. A marriage is arranged with Nina. On arrival in Canada, Nina learns to adjust to the new western life. Ananda appears to have embraced all the hallmarks of western culture. Nina realises the consequences of her marriage are far greater than she ever had imagined.
As her relationship with Ananda unfolds, she comes to terms with certain unpalatable truths about her marriage. She finds a part time job as a ‘shelver’ in the local library and meets Beth who introduces to a “women’s group” When her marriage appears to be unsatisfying, she turns to this group for help and support. Nina realises that there is more to life for a woman other than marriage being a wife and mother. Nina decides to pursue her dreams and embarks on further studies – decides to undertake a degree in Librarianship. Following this dream also opens doors to other relationships and how she copes with these challenges.
As her relationship with Ananda unfolds, she comes to terms with certain unpalatable truths about her marriage. She finds a part time job as a ‘shelver’ in the local library and meets Beth who introduces to a “women’s group” When her marriage appears to be unsatisfying, she turns to this group for help and support. Nina realises that there is more to life for a woman other than marriage being a wife and mother. Nina decides to pursue her dreams and embarks on further studies – decides to undertake a degree in Librarianship. Following this dream also opens doors to other relationships and how she copes with these challenges.
A must read book for all those wanting to know more about how immigrants copes with new environments and deal with cross culture undercurrents.
Manju Kapur is a professor of English at Miranda House in New Delhi. Her first book Difficult daughters received the Commonwealth Award for Eurasian region. She lives in India with her three daughters.
The book The Immigrant was shortlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Her other works include A married woman, Home & Custody.
Manju Kapur is a professor of English at Miranda House in New Delhi. Her first book Difficult daughters received the Commonwealth Award for Eurasian region. She lives in India with her three daughters.
The book The Immigrant was shortlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Her other works include A married woman, Home & Custody.
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