Daswani, Kavita. The village bride of Beverley Hills. New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, c2004.
Priya, a young Indian woman moves from Bombay to Los Angeles after knowing the man for only a week. Though she lives in the land of movie stars and happy endings, Priya’s circumstances are far from perfect.
Priya moves in with her husband’s family. Sanjay is the devoted son to conservative parents. When Priya does not fall pregnant, Sanjay’s parents demand she find a job. Priya finds one as a receptionist to a fashion magazine - the tabloid Hollywood Insider. So begins the ‘double life’ of Priya. She is the go-getter at work, and the subservient daughter-in-law at home. She hinds her work clothes at the local gym. Priya with her energy and enthusiasm soon advances in her career and becomes a journalist. The ‘double standard’ takes its toll on Priya, and just before her first wedding anniversary, she arrives at her family’s home back in India.
This book is a great read as it narrates the immigrant experience. Priya’s disintegrating marriage remains more important to her than fame and fortune. This aspect of the novel provides a refreshing twist and readers are kept interested to find out what will happen next.
Critics have acclaimed it as Chick lit meets Indian diaspora and cutely titled it as Hybrid.
Kavita Daswani is an Indian-American author. She grew up in Hong Kong and started her career as a journalist with the South China Morning Post. Kavita has written two other books which are Salam Paris and For matrimonial purposes.
Kavita Daswani is an Indian-American author. She grew up in Hong Kong and started her career as a journalist with the South China Morning Post. Kavita has written two other books which are Salam Paris and For matrimonial purposes.
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