Customer Reviews

Born Confused (Bccb Blue Ribbon Fiction Books (Awards))

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This book is a rare treat, in that it presents the life of a typical American teenager with an atypical life, is honest, but doesn't stoop to cliches and stereotypes to tell its tale. This is the story of Dimple Lala, a young woman, born and raised in New Jersey of Indian immigrant parents, who is turning 17 at the beginning of summer. Dimple rejects her parents old-world culture and wants to be an All-American girl, but everyone else sees her as Indian. For her parents, Dimple getting drunk once while out with friends on her birthday is cause for a silent treatment and punishment of international proportions. In one of my favorite lines from the book, Dimple's mother says, "Giving birth to you was easy. It is now that I am needing the epidural!"

Dimple, in comparison to her childhood friend, Gwyn, is positively a model child: a good student, a virgin who has only dated two boys, she doesn't do drugs or do anything out of the ordinary to cause her parents to worry. It turns out that both Dimple and her parents are failing to realize what they have: a caring, lovely family unit and a strong cultural background in Dimple's case, and a very good daughter, in the case of her parents. Dimple's friend, Gwyn, is beautiful and blonde and slim and the center of attention, but she comes from a home where she was abandoned by her father and ignored by her mother, and she craves the stability of Dimple's family unit, which, of course, Dimple does not understand, since she longs to be beautiful and blonde and free of parental restrictions.

Dimple's parents seek to control their daughter by introducing her to a "suitable boy" meaning, of course, another Indian boy, an NYU computer major, and the son of her mother's best friend. Dimple rejects the boy on principal, but then discovers that he is a slightly unsuitable boy, and begins to fall in love with him, along with her friend, Gwyn. Dimple spends the bulk of the novel discovering herself and her life, and realizing that what she has is really a gift. She is exposed to the temptations of teenaged life, she has her heart broken and she rebels against her parents, but it takes a long summer for her to see that everything she has really is something to be envied.

The book is written in a charming, witty style, and, except for a few sort of "romance novel" plot twists, it is very engrossing. It is perfect for both adults and teens, and really should be read by parents and their teenagers.

When I first glanced at the summary of this amazing book, I thought that it was going to be another sappy teen romance with a twist of culture talk. A few short pages into the book, I was both surprised and hooked. The book focuses on the story of Dimple Lala, American born but with deep Indian roots. Her best friend is the "Marilyn Monroe for this generation" and each has something that the other finds irresistable. When Dimple's parents decide to find her a suitable Indian boy, it all goes downhill- not only is the boy suitable for Dimple, but her best friend sets her sights on him also. What is surprising about the book is that it is more about Dimple realizing that it is wonderful for her to be photo-taking self, expressing herself through her insightful photography. The story is as much about cross gender issues, cross-generational issues, how to deal with family and friends that seem both to close and to far away. It also exposes the insatiable american craving for the cultural traditions of other countries. While some parents might find certain elements unattractive, its difficult issues are presented with care and truth. I certainly would encourage both those who have difficulty fitting in, whatever culture they may hail from, as well as those who seem to find their place so easily because it truly is a book for everyone.

I enjoyed reading this book of drama, confusion, enigma and struggle of a teenage Indian girl growing up in West. This book deals with a lot of issues such as teen romance, family dynamics, cultural clashes, and lesbianism. On one side heroine Dimple, wanted to follow the traditions of his parents and on other side she wants to follow what her peers in schoolcand college do. There are clash of ideas and concepts, which is very common in the life of every Indian child born and raised in the west. Indians born and raised in the west, see everything as mirage. Like Dimple, they wanted to follow parents' beliefs and at the same time, they are bombarded with beliefs totally contrary to what they are taught to home. May be one of the answers to the confusion young Indians face, is books like Am I A Hindu? which describes every minute details of eastern culture or precisely Hindu culture in Question & Answer format. Indian parents have to understand that their children are growing up in a world of thousand thoughts and ideas, different from what they believe. So ignoring the problems will only make matters worse. Born Confused? baffles and intrigues as you read through the pages. I highly recommend this book to every Indian who lives in the west young and old like.

The Indian American theme is one I find particularly fascinating, since I can relate periods of my own upbringing to it. Born Confused is worth a read. The author clearly has a way with words, and illustrates the main character, Dimple's, situation very well. At the same time, this is clearly a book that will resonate more strongly with girls than with boys. The language can often get overly flowery, and I found myself skipping whole pages when the character analyses seemed to be dragging on and on. Read it if you have time, but be prepared to be dropped a little deeper into a teenage girl's mind than you were prepared for.

17-year old Dimple Lala is confused. She doesn't know where she belongs; with the Indian society, or with the American society. To all of the Indians she is too American and vice versa with America. Her best friend Gwyn has been getting on her nerves lately. Gwyn (who can pull off any fashion statement) is basically a taller version of Marilyn Monroe in appearance. She's been getting everything she wants, saying things before Dimple has an opportunity to say anything. The only consolation that Dimple has is her beloved camera, Chica Tikka. When Dimple's parents set up a meeting with a friend who has a son, Karsh, (hint:hint) Dimple doesn't give the meeting a chance. She says it is bound to be a complete disaster. Later when Dimple goes to a Desi club,(haha) she finds out that Karsh is better than she judged him for. Dimple goes through relationship issues with Gwyn, Karsh, and even her parents. Throughout all of this with humor, Dimple learns several intense lessons on life. Excellent read for teens~

This book concerns many issues of assimilation and heritage that are specific to first generation Americans of Indian descent, but it really hits on themes accessible to every young woman trying to grow up with dignity: going to clubs, having a best friend you learn you can't share quite everything with, competition between friends, balancing family expectations with your own desires, falling in love. I loved it, and have lent it to four friends who've enjoyed it also (we're all in our 20s). You will not be disappointed with this book.

Dimple Rohitbai Lala, main character, an average American teenager, but yet so above average. Her life so complicated, family life and social life becoming more and more dangerously tangled. Born confused, so the title goes, and it's true. Dimple, in her confusion, has insights that go beyond any of our expectations for the book.

The pages of Born Confused are filled with Dimple's thought-provoking opinions, questions and ... sheer confusion. The other characters are very unique: Karsh, so mature and lovable to reader and Dimple alike; Gwyn, so interesting and intruiging, yet reader will have different opinions about her throughout the novel and most importantly, my personal favourite, Kavita, who teaches Dimple so many important life lessons and shows her the path to maturity and to womanhood.

This book in question is somewhat original in context and characterisation but is along the lines of movies Bend it Like Beckham and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with rich and cultural families that majorly impact the main character. Yet you don't want to miss it! A Must-read that will magically glue eyes to it's pages, accomplishing a feat no glue ever has!

This is a beautifully written story about a young woman coming of age. Dimple Lala experiences both the more familiar angst of growing up in the West as well as the more complex dilemma of growing up American with an Indian heritage. You will fall in love with the characters in this poetic work; you will cry with them, introspect with them, and laugh hard with them. Yes, if you are of Indian heritage you will "get" more of this story. And, you will just adore Dimple's parents. If your heritage is of another beautiful place, you will still be mesmerized by Dimple's journey and you will care to reach the end with her.

I don't care what anyone else said about this book. I have read it 3 times, and I think that it is awesome. So what if it is a teenager-driven book, it is not ment for intellectual harvard grads to nitpick. I am 16, and I am a pretty tough judge of books, but I thought that this book was great. You love Dimple, hate her friend Gwen, and vice versa, throughout the whole book. It's no Da Vinci Code, but if you're looking for a great book that is fun and dramatic, then choose this one. FIVE STARS!

I really enjoyed this book - I read the liner notes for it, and it really was a great, read-it-one-sitting book. Dimple is a very believable character and you can see the reality of the world in the book. I love how they give each person's passions their own real life- like Dimple with her photography, and Karsh with his music. A lot of the description that is used is full of poetry, but without being poetry really at all - but it gives you that fluid feeling - that just really makes this a delightful read.

I disagree on that one review about the way that they did the quotes... Yes, it was a little odd at first, but once you realize that the hyphens represent the dialogue- it wasn't that big of a deal. I actually liked that- because as a writer- I never realized that you could do that in a publication- think so out of the box on what's usually considered a literary rule.

But even that little thing is a testament to the beauty of this book.

It made me want to run out and buy a Sari, and find all the Indian people and ask them who they are, and learn from them.