Karma and other stories by Rishi Reddi

Reddi, Rishi. Karma and other stories, New York : Harper Collins, 2007.

This collection of short stories focuses on the Indian diaspora living in the US – struggling to reconcile the culture differences between their cultural heritage and the American life.  Predominantly, generational differences are the causes of conflict.

 In the story “Bangles”, a successful American doctor, tries to fulfil filial duty by bringing his newly widowed mother from Hyderabad to his modern home.  Conflicts arise when he fails to create a niche in his modern life for the religious and cultural needs of his mother.

 In “The Validity of Love” a rebellious yet fragile young woman, must learn to “internalise” traditional ideas of arranged marriage, on realising her best friend has agreed to an arranged marriage 

 Reddi very skilfully uses images to capture the essence of these themes. Glass bangles smashed with a rock; a wounded bird confused with Boston’s skyscrapers.

Rishi Reddi is an American author, who was born in Hyderabad, India.  She grew up in the UK and US.  She graduated from Swarthmore College and the Northeaster university School of Law.  Alongside her writing career, she has been an enforcement attorney for the state and federal environmental protecion agencies. Her book karmar and other Stories received the 2007 L.L Winship/PEN New England Award.