As a book reviewer, I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation, and all opinions are always 100% my own.
Ashok and Priya Shah pride themselves on being model immigrants. They came to the US as newlyweds and have worked hard to do things the right way and raise their children in this land of opportunity. They recently had the opportunity to take a financial risk and move into Pacific Heights, a wealthy enclave with excellent schools. The novel opens with the 2 of them at a dinner with 2 other Indian couples, all of whom are thriving.
But the limits of America’s welcome are about to become evident. While the Shaws think they know where each of their children are, they are wrong in every case. Deepa, their oldest, is with her undocumented Mexican friend at a protest near Tijuana, and hasn’t picked up her younger siblings as planned. Maya gets a ride home from a friend’s older brother, a popular boy. Ajay, who is only 12 but tall for his age, has left his after school program hoping to conduct an experiment with a homemade drone. He is almost certainly on the spectrum, but his father hasn’t been willing to admit anything could be wrong. He ends up in police custody, and it’s hours before his parents can find out what’s going on.
As their lives spin out of control, A Great Country touches on a lot that’s wrong with current American society. The Shahs deal with police brutality, assumptions and prejudice, and see other “model” immigrants bringing their own issues to their adopted country. Their daughters deal with entitled young men as well as rejoicing at finding their own voices. This book is in some ways not an easy read, but it’s an important one. I was drawn into the family’s experiences, and appreciated the nuanced characters who are sympathetically yet realistically drawn. I read a lot of Gowda’s books, but I think this one is her best. Highly recommended!