Episode 38: India
Summary: Welcome to the second stop of our Summer Jetset Episode Series! Today, Holly and Devin are lucky enough to armchair visit a country neither of them have been able to see in person yet - India! A country much larger than it is often portrayed on maps, they are both drawn to the geographic, cultural, and culinary variety of the country. While neither have read a ton of books set in India, they are both avid readers of Indian (and Indian Immigrant) authors. They’ve also committed to set a budget and start saving for a trip there!
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (3:04): Devin discussed Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli, a novel that follows protagonist Niki Randhawa through Mumbai and Goa and, more importantly, her own journey of self-discovery. Niki works as a data analyst, has always stayed close to home and always taken the least risky path. When she’s laid off just before her friend Diya’s wedding, however, she realizes even the best laid plans can fall apart and heads for Mumbai. Devin’s key takeaways were:
At the Diwali celebration, Niki meets Sameer Mukherji, a London-based musician and mutual friend. Their “love at first sight” connection and witty banter draw the reader in, but the rest of the novel relies heavily on the lightning strike trope, which underserves the character development.
Lalli positions this book not only as a romance but also as solid education for those uninitiated into Indian culture and stereotypes. At times the novel can turn a bit preachy and overt in the educational focus, but it does paint a vivid picture of Mumbai and especially Goa. Niki, though Indian herself, is positioned as the conduit for the reader to get educated.
Ultimately this book is about Niki’s evolution; after a restrained life of responsible choices, she doesn’t have a grasp on who she is or what she wants. With the help of Sam, her sister Jasmine, and her friend group (focused on Diya), she finally breaks the mold and begins to live authentically.
The Dagger (19:50): Holly discussed Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara, an urban noir mystery following nine-year-old Jai and friends Pari and Faiz as they take justice into their own hands and investigate the disappearance of their classmate. Jai lives in a basti, a sprawling slum located in an unnamed city in India. His prized possession is the television they have because of his passion for reality police shows. Holly’s key takeaways were:
Anappara, who was a journalist reporting on children living in poverty across India, explores in this book the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities in the country. The novel prompts discussions on the causes and consequences of urban poverty, access to basic amenities, and the role of government in addressing those issues.
Through the lens of Jai and his friends, this story captures the resilient spirit and enduring hope of children in the face of adversity. It portrays the strength of friendship and the power of imagination in coping with difficult circumstances (please note: no actual Djinns appear in the novel).
While the exact city is left unnamed, the reader is left with an incredibly vivid sense of the basti itself, the marketplace, the many foods and smells (both good and bad), the noise and the chaos that convey and conceal the dangers and challenges faced by the poor who live there.
Hot On the Shelf (34:41):
What’s Making Our Hearts Race (40:12):
Holly: Love and Death on Max
Devin: The National Parks System
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