I would like to add that the novel is as much about the American dream as it is about the protagonist attempting to “fit in” into the country. Thus this tale becomes a lyrical composition of displaced lives and community bonding in a foreign land. The attempts of the protagonist to marry within the community, though with someone who has grown up in the west like him, and the subsequent failure of the marriage shows that we live in a world where moving beyond our communal selves may be the solution. This does not hold true (mostly) for the parents of Nikhil/Gogol, as they are very much immigrants despite having lived in the US for a considerable period of time. But and there is a caveat here, Ashima is able to relate to her colleague at work and draws sustenance from her.
The novel is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the immigrant experience, and people might be inspired to travel the world and see for themselves what the books say about other cultures, as Ashoke finds for himself.
The novel is also a reflection on the dual identities that most immigrants have to confront on a daily basis. And as Moushimi typifies, the immigrant experience isn’t just about bonding within a community but reaching out to people with shared interests. All these facets make the novel a pastiche that human relationships are. The author displays sensitivity and a keen understanding of the issues involved and makes sure that the reader shares in her experience as well. The novel invites the readers to think for themselves about the legacy of parents and how one might be able to balance this with the needs of one’s personality.