Customer Reviews

If Today Be Sweet: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I finished reading this book last night, and the characters and the story are still lingering with me today. I feel that any words that I use to describe the book, characters or story will not do it credit. Suffice it to say that this is a wonderful story about a woman dealing with grief at the loss of her husband, finding her way as an individual and deciding what "home" really means. But, unlike other books that may address similar issues, this book addresses the differences in culture in America and India that defines the main character and compounds the difficulty of her choice. You won't be disappointed by this book!

This book had so much potential, but, in my opinion, failed to deliver. I loved the premise of the book: Parsi widow in the middle of middle America faced with so many cultural differences. The parts of the book where Tehmina contrasts her life in India with the way of life in America are interesting and thoughtful. However, those places are surrounded by cliche and what I would call "formula" writing.

So much of the book simply did not ring true. Would anyone really call their son Cookie? And how old is this child; at one time he calls himself the Cookie Monster and at others is discussing Calvin and Hobbes. The "yummy yummy" vocabulary of the boys next door also does not ring true for kids growing up with abusive adults. And the reaction of everyone to the beating that they receive from their mother seems totally blown out of portion -- television interviews, newspaper pictures, dinner at the home of the son's boss -- just too over the top. And Sorab's new boss, Grace, is nothing more than a cartoon character.

In short, Tehmina seems like a Parsi Mary Poppins -- sprinkling everyone's life with a bit of sugar so that everyone will live happily ever after. I can't help but feel that life in two different worlds (as Tehmina is experiencing) is so much more complicated than that. It's a quick read, but not a satisfying one. "The Space Between Us" was a far superior book

Tehmina, the protagonist in this story definately wears many hats; widow, mother, grandmother, friend, and hero? Another wonderful novel from Ms. Umrigar that clearly shows the mindset of those who come to this country and battle with the norms of the old and the new. In some countries the adage "it takes a village to raise a child" is stil is practiced. In this country it is merely the title of book. Tehmina makes a decision to bring that practice to her US in in making the leap over the fence she comes to realize that she can bring a bit of India to Ohio. Once again Thrity Umrigar has left me wanting to know what happens next....does Tehmina learn to drive?

I don't know how Amazon managed to lose my review and one other customer review, but let's try again! This delightful new novel is Umrigar's first to be set in the US and marks a return to the wistful domestic comedy of her first novel, Bombay Time. It concerns the dilemma of a recently widowed Bombay Parsi matron, Tehmina, who is visiting her son, his American wife, and their little boy in an upscale Cleveland suburb. Tehmina (who is given an impressively rich and convincing inner life by the author) must decide whether to return to her familiar life in Bombay, or stay on in an alien land that to her often feels as cold emotionally as its winter weather. Amid Umrigar's acute but good-natured satire of contemporary American suburbia, Tehmina eventually perceives (and reminds the reader of) the good that still lives just below the (sometimes materialistic and prejudiced) surface of contemporary American life. This book is simultaneously entertaining, moving, and thought-provoking. You won't be disappointed.

This is my second experience reading Umrigar, and it won't be my last. This story, about Tehmina, a widow from India torn between the old world and the new (her grown son's home in Cleveland) explores a range of emotions. Umrigar expresses the widow's grief with clarity and compassion. And Tehmina is a marvel of a character. Her instinct is to nurture and care for everyone, but often in American society, we are taught to not interfere with the lives of others. Tehmina is conflicted in many ways, and that makes her triumph all the more "sweet."

I have never had an author move me as much or bring characters alive like Thrity Unrigar does in her novels. "If Today Be Sweet" was no exception. It is as if you are there with them, living their lives, feeling their sorrows and their happiness. It helps you to realize what is most important in life...your family and friends, not the material possessions that you have. Thrity Umrigar always leaves me thinking about her characters for days after finishing one of her novels...and wanting her to write a sequal.

Having loved her first two novels, i was surprised at how shallow and cliched this one is. Readable? Certainly. But barely anything more than that.

I loved The Space Between Us and Bombay Time - I suggest reading both of these. By comparison, I can not even get half way through this book. It seems so trite and so lacking in depth. I am very disappointed after reading the other two. My copy will most likely go to a second hand bookstore.

I have fallen in love with this author. Seeing American culture from the perspective of an immigrant from India was amazing...toggling between a culture of poverty and disneyland can be dizzying but she reinforces that life is all about love and relationships no matter where we come from or end up in life.

If Today Be Sweet is the second novel that I have read by Thrity Umrigar in 2009. The first being: The Space Between Us.

In this story we meet Tehmina, a recent widow from Bombay, who is visiting her only son, his American wife, and her grandson who live in the suburbs of Cleveland. Tehmina is trying to decide if she wants to move from Bombay, the place she and her husband had loved. She is torn as she also wants to be near her son and his family, but she does not want to be a burden. It would also be a big adjustment with culture change alone. Tehmina is amazed at how well her son has adjusted to life in America since he left India to attend Grad school in the US.

If that is not turmoil enough for Tehimina she tries to rescue two young boys in the neighborhood, who she believes are being abused by their mother.

The whole novel seems to take place in a little over a week, from just before Christmas through New Year's Eve. Tehmina must make up her mind rather quickly whether to stay in the US or to return to India as her tourist visa will expire soon. All the while she is communicating with her late husband as she is tries to decide what to do.

I did enjoy this book as Umrigar's writing style again was simply beautiful. A few of the situations that took place in the story did not seem to ring true. In the end a bell seems to go off in Tehmina's head and she is able to make her decision.