Modern India and its people spilling over into contemporary life in the USA and jostled between the pull of both cultures form the backdrop of these remarkable stories. They range from the absolute comedy and hypocrisy that underlies some types of human interaction to the poignant ones on redemption born out of the crucibles of pain and suffering. In one story is Muruga, an illiterate billboard painter, with a lascivious eye on his billboard creation, absolutely at odds with the legion of shameless gawkers at his half-clad sultry siren. In another is Tara, drowning in abject grief after the death of her newborn and trying to find solace in her baby's gravesite. And then there is the irrepressible Naresh, whose love for Pushpa harks back to a not-so-innocent time of lurid teenage fantasy and all the delicate implications therein that make it hard for him to confess his love to her. Taken together, these stories shape a distinct palette of cultural vignettes that inform the reader of the Indo-American experience. While they entertain, these stories subtly uncover the myriad contradictions and commonalities deeply embedded in looking at things with an Indian eye while adapting to Western mores and thought.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Sita Bhaskar was born and educated in India. She presently lives in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
cross-cultural stories,
By
This review is from: Shielding Her Modesty (Paperback)
Rebeccasreads highly recommends SHIELDING HER MODESTY as a collection of intricate & engrossing stories about the clash of cultures between India & America, sometimes heartbreaking & sometimes hilarious.
Muruga is a billboard painter who can't read yet ponders the influences of painting luscious American women whose "intimate parts" he feels he must keep covered from the leers & jeers of the oglers far below on the street. Kaveri used to be an artist, back in Tanjavur. Six months ago, she'd told her mother she'd only marry a man with a PhD. Her aunt found one, in America. He comes to India, courts her & takes her back to Ann Arbor, Michigan where she tries to be a good wife, except Keshav doesn't want an Indian wife, nor Indian food, nor his apartment run the Indian way. Raksha's in a panic because her parents are coming all the way from Madras for her graduation in Wisconsin... except... she's had a live-in boyfriend & must now get rid of every telltale thing. Upon arrival her parents are confused about her lifestyle -- what is pizza? & how life is lived in an American college, & Raksha just can't seem to do anything right... The one I loved is The Bharati Doll -- young Parvati's older brother, Gopi, works in a toy factory. She yearns for one little pink shoe from the dolls he makes. Here the names of the dolls in America & in India vividly illuminates the chasm between cultures. Very well done!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Little gems,
By Avocados with Salt (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shielding Her Modesty (Paperback)
Shielding Her Modesty contains a collection of short stories about modern life for various Indian men and women both in India and America or somewhere in between. Some are sad, some lighthearted. It is a short book, only 135 pages, but each page counts. Each little gem of a story gives special insight into the characters lives.
My favorite story told the tale of a young man, living in America, who bought a ridiculously expensive engagement ring to take back to his, not yet known, bride in India. Ofcourse things don't go as planned for him... When I finished, I wanted more. I would love to read a full length novel by this new author. I highly recommend this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful read,
This review is from: Shielding Her Modesty (Paperback)
This collection of stories was a joy to read. I found myself reading one story and cherishing it for a day before returning to the next. The characters are lush and real, leaving the reader with an intimate feel of the mix of emotions and desires that the stirring of cultures and traditions bring.
The stories go well beyond being about cultural clashes. While the reader gains a deeper feel for cultural differences and the conflicts felt by the characters, the stories stand on their on as well written fiction. I look forward to Ms. Bhaskar's next writing venture.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
