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The Lives of Strangers
Weaving tales of India and of the new settlers in America, Chitra Divakaruni's stories explore themes of solitude, expectations, love and betrayal, as well as other reflections on life in both the East and the West.
267 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2005
8 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
62 books7,030 followersChitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an award-winning author and poet. Her themes include the Indian experience, contemporary America, women, immigration, history, myth, and the joys and challenges of living in a multicultural world. Her work is widely known, as she has been published in over 50 magazines, including the Atlantic Monthly and The New Yorker, and her writing has been included in over 50 anthologies. Her works have been translated into 29 languages, including Dutch, Hebrew, Hindi and Japanese. Divakaruni also writes for children and young adults.Her novels One Amazing Thing, Oleander Girl, Sister of My Heart and Palace of Illusions are currently in the process of being made into movies. http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/books.... Her newest novel is Before We Visit the Goddess (about 3 generations of women-- grandmother, mother and daughter-- who each examine the question "what does it mean to be a successful woman.") Simon & Schuster.
She was born in India and lived there until 1976, at which point she left Calcutta and came to the United States. She continued her education in the field of English by receiving a Master’s degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
To earn money for her education, she held many odd jobs, including babysitting, selling merchandise in an Indian boutique, slicing bread in a bakery, and washing instruments in a science lab. At Berkeley, she lived in the International House and worked in the dining hall. She briefly lived in Illinois and Ohio, but has spent much of her life in Northern California, which she often writes about. She now lives in Texas, which has found its way into her upcoming book, Before We Visit the Goddess.
Chitra currently teaches in the nationally ranked Creative Writing program at the Univ. of Houston. She serves on the Advisory board of Maitri in the San Francisco Bay Area and Daya in Houston. Both these are organizations that help South Asian or South Asian American women who find themselves in abusive or domestic violence situations. She is also closely involved with Pratham, an organization that helps educate children (especially those living in urban slums) in India.
She has judged several prestigious awards, such as the National Book Award and the PEN Faulkner Award.
Two of her books, The Mistress of Spices and Sister of My Heart, have been made into movies by filmmakers Gurinder Chadha and Paul Berges (an English film) and Suhasini Mani Ratnam (a Tamil TV serial) respectively. Her novels One Amazing Thing and Palace of Illusions have currently been optioned for movies. Her book Arranged Marriage has been made into a play and performed in the U.S. and (upcoming, May) in Canada. River of Light, an opera about an Indian woman in a bi-cultural marriage, for which she wrote the libretto, has been performed in Texas and California.
She lives in Houston with her husband Murthy. She has two sons, Anand and Abhay (whose names she has used in her children’s novels).
Chitra loves to connect with readers on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/chitradivakaruni, and on Twitter, @cdivakaruni.
For more information about her books, please visit http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/, where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
She was born in India and lived there until 1976, at which point she left Calcutta and came to the United States. She continued her education in the field of English by receiving a Master’s degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
To earn money for her education, she held many odd jobs, including babysitting, selling merchandise in an Indian boutique, slicing bread in a bakery, and washing instruments in a science lab. At Berkeley, she lived in the International House and worked in the dining hall. She briefly lived in Illinois and Ohio, but has spent much of her life in Northern California, which she often writes about. She now lives in Texas, which has found its way into her upcoming book, Before We Visit the Goddess.
Chitra currently teaches in the nationally ranked Creative Writing program at the Univ. of Houston. She serves on the Advisory board of Maitri in the San Francisco Bay Area and Daya in Houston. Both these are organizations that help South Asian or South Asian American women who find themselves in abusive or domestic violence situations. She is also closely involved with Pratham, an organization that helps educate children (especially those living in urban slums) in India.
She has judged several prestigious awards, such as the National Book Award and the PEN Faulkner Award.
Two of her books, The Mistress of Spices and Sister of My Heart, have been made into movies by filmmakers Gurinder Chadha and Paul Berges (an English film) and Suhasini Mani Ratnam (a Tamil TV serial) respectively. Her novels One Amazing Thing and Palace of Illusions have currently been optioned for movies. Her book Arranged Marriage has been made into a play and performed in the U.S. and (upcoming, May) in Canada. River of Light, an opera about an Indian woman in a bi-cultural marriage, for which she wrote the libretto, has been performed in Texas and California.
She lives in Houston with her husband Murthy. She has two sons, Anand and Abhay (whose names she has used in her children’s novels).
Chitra loves to connect with readers on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/chitradivakaruni, and on Twitter, @cdivakaruni.
For more information about her books, please visit http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/, where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 19, 2022
3.5 or 70%
1) If you like a collection of short stories; this might be your thing.
2) If reading a poetic language is your cup of tea; then take a look at this.
3) If you like to immerse yourself in "dreamy-like" reflection of life, then pay a bit more attention to this.
4) If rich and colourful depictions are your must-have; then give this book a consideration.
5) If you like Indian flavoured story; don't look the other way.
So, there you are.
Unless you ticked all above, there's a chance you might not enjoy this. Me included. Even though I ticked number 1, 4 & 5. I'm not sure if I fully understood these stories correctly. Kind of enigma to me.
But, if you ticked all 5 above; you might love this.
1) If you like a collection of short stories; this might be your thing.
2) If reading a poetic language is your cup of tea; then take a look at this.
3) If you like to immerse yourself in "dreamy-like" reflection of life, then pay a bit more attention to this.
4) If rich and colourful depictions are your must-have; then give this book a consideration.
5) If you like Indian flavoured story; don't look the other way.
So, there you are.
Unless you ticked all above, there's a chance you might not enjoy this. Me included. Even though I ticked number 1, 4 & 5. I'm not sure if I fully understood these stories correctly. Kind of enigma to me.
But, if you ticked all 5 above; you might love this.
Want to read
June 27, 2009If you are interested in reading about cultural differences and how to fit in certain culture leaving behind memories and habits, then this book would be one of the most powerful books in this category. I loved it
لو كنت َمن عشاق قراءة الكتب التي تتناول الاختلافات الثقافية وكيفية العيش في ثقافة ما تاركا خلفك ذكرياتك وعاداتك، فإن هذا الكتاب يُعـَد ُّ واحدا من الكتب الجيدة في هذا السياق
لو كنت َمن عشاق قراءة الكتب التي تتناول الاختلافات الثقافية وكيفية العيش في ثقافة ما تاركا خلفك ذكرياتك وعاداتك، فإن هذا الكتاب يُعـَد ُّ واحدا من الكتب الجيدة في هذا السياق
May 13, 2015
Certain short stories stay with you for a long time after you have finished reading them. Some make you introspect, some touch you deeply, some make you see a perspective that you have not considered hitherto, and some bring out the varied, vibrant colors of life. The Lives of Strangers by Chitra Divakaruni has a collection of short stories that do all that and some more.
Folks who have read the other books of Chitra Divakaruni would know that the she lives in the USA and writes short stories and novels that involve the lives of people of Indian origin (typically Bengali) who live in the USA as they relate to their relatives and friends that they have left behind.
The first story, "Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter" sets the tone for the rest of the stories that follow. The story is about an elderly lady who goes to the USA to live with her daughter-in-law, son and her grandchildren. While the focus is on Mrs. Dutta's perspectives, the story cleverly brings out the several, often conflicting perspectives of the other personalities. What is nice about this story is that you would have heard something similar from your own circle of friends and relatives who live in the USA, and yet sounds somewhat unique.
Some of the stories are narrated in the first person, while others are not. Personally, I find that when the author narrates a story in the first person, the story tends to be powerful, the characters come out alive and I can relate to the protagonist's emotions in a deeper way.
Every single story is a gem. I have my own favorite ranking of the stories in this collection.None of these stories are set in the Internet age and they exude a charm that is likely to be attractive to certain readers who have experienced life in those years. I am not sure whether Chitra Divakaruni has written short stories set in the age of emails, Facebook, WhatsApp and instant gratification.
I must find this out and get hold of such books for I am sure that the Author would bring out some interesting perspectives. If she hasn't written such stories as yet, I hope that she does - soon!
One item looked a little odd to me (maybe it is just ME). The author spells certain Indian items somewhat differently than what I am used to. For example, "rutis" and "jilipis". to name a couple. I wonder why that is so.
Folks who have read the other books of Chitra Divakaruni would know that the she lives in the USA and writes short stories and novels that involve the lives of people of Indian origin (typically Bengali) who live in the USA as they relate to their relatives and friends that they have left behind.
The first story, "Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter" sets the tone for the rest of the stories that follow. The story is about an elderly lady who goes to the USA to live with her daughter-in-law, son and her grandchildren. While the focus is on Mrs. Dutta's perspectives, the story cleverly brings out the several, often conflicting perspectives of the other personalities. What is nice about this story is that you would have heard something similar from your own circle of friends and relatives who live in the USA, and yet sounds somewhat unique.
Some of the stories are narrated in the first person, while others are not. Personally, I find that when the author narrates a story in the first person, the story tends to be powerful, the characters come out alive and I can relate to the protagonist's emotions in a deeper way.
Every single story is a gem. I have my own favorite ranking of the stories in this collection.None of these stories are set in the Internet age and they exude a charm that is likely to be attractive to certain readers who have experienced life in those years. I am not sure whether Chitra Divakaruni has written short stories set in the age of emails, Facebook, WhatsApp and instant gratification.
I must find this out and get hold of such books for I am sure that the Author would bring out some interesting perspectives. If she hasn't written such stories as yet, I hope that she does - soon!
One item looked a little odd to me (maybe it is just ME). The author spells certain Indian items somewhat differently than what I am used to. For example, "rutis" and "jilipis". to name a couple. I wonder why that is so.
July 20, 2018
"The Lives of Strangers" is a beautiful collection of short stories where each story leaves you with a feeling of wanting more from the author. There is that touch of Indianness in the characters alongwith the cultural differences one experiences when moving out of India or coming back after a long time.
Almost all the stories have that realness in them where the reader is left wondering who is at fault when sonething sad happens- the people involved, the cultural differences or the situation.
The small or big decisions that one has to make in life become cruel judgements of people's outlook towards you.
- A man has to choose between his mother and wife.
- A woman has to choose between her life before marriage and that after marriage
- A mother has to choose between her son's freedom and her husband's anger
These decisions are not always life altering but then they have to be made.
There is so much to relate to in these stories. I would love to read more of her books.
Its a 4 star for me.
Almost all the stories have that realness in them where the reader is left wondering who is at fault when sonething sad happens- the people involved, the cultural differences or the situation.
The small or big decisions that one has to make in life become cruel judgements of people's outlook towards you.
- A man has to choose between his mother and wife.
- A woman has to choose between her life before marriage and that after marriage
- A mother has to choose between her son's freedom and her husband's anger
These decisions are not always life altering but then they have to be made.
There is so much to relate to in these stories. I would love to read more of her books.
Its a 4 star for me.
March 18, 2022
Divakaruni's writing is beautiful, the kind you step back and admire with a sense of wonder. Her description of human emotion is unparalleled.
January 10, 2017
The lives of strangers end up becoming familiar, and the characters dear. That's the brilliance of the craft that Divakaruni brings to these stories of nostalgia. Written from an immigrant's perspective, they are collective narratives of worlds lost, and memories gathered close to heart on a snowy afternoon. It speaks of a collective diaspora who remembers the jostle of traffic, the rain drizzled sundays, the neighbours and gossip, the pakoras and tea and an innocent other era.
The aged mother with her family in the USA, who is reprimanded gently for switching on the light early in the morning, and waking the household with her banging of vessels in the kitchen cannot change a lifetime of admonishments of waking before the sun. The young boy prefers the unknown cold and darkness of a forest than the constant uprooting and violence of a drunken father, while cultural conditioning shackles his sister to her present. The final nail in the coffin of the ill luck attracting Mrs. Das, Aparna's post delivery transformation, Meera who finds no escape from the past even half a world away, Ruchira's unfinished life tree, Khukhu who finds coming back blissfully familiar till she is thrown by events; each of the characters are heart touching.
And each of the stories leave us with just a glimpse of these lives, and we are left with a wanting to know more of them. That's how the best of stories are...
The aged mother with her family in the USA, who is reprimanded gently for switching on the light early in the morning, and waking the household with her banging of vessels in the kitchen cannot change a lifetime of admonishments of waking before the sun. The young boy prefers the unknown cold and darkness of a forest than the constant uprooting and violence of a drunken father, while cultural conditioning shackles his sister to her present. The final nail in the coffin of the ill luck attracting Mrs. Das, Aparna's post delivery transformation, Meera who finds no escape from the past even half a world away, Ruchira's unfinished life tree, Khukhu who finds coming back blissfully familiar till she is thrown by events; each of the characters are heart touching.
And each of the stories leave us with just a glimpse of these lives, and we are left with a wanting to know more of them. That's how the best of stories are...
November 12, 2015
Set of short stories depicting the conflicts / perceptions / cultural mismatches within Indians staying in India and US. While the cultural conflicts were real, the stories simply showcased the scenarios without creating a climax around them. This read more like a documentary of experiences instead of a set of stories. Not on my preferred reading list.
The writing of the author was simplistic in style and to the point. Set of metaphors and colourfully descriptive language did add to the pleasure of reading.
The writing of the author was simplistic in style and to the point. Set of metaphors and colourfully descriptive language did add to the pleasure of reading.
February 3, 2017
I cannot complete Chitra Banerjee's novels. Ever. except Palace of illusions, I liked nothing else.
Her short stories, however, keep me wanting more. They end quickly, almost at all the climax and sometimes, unanswered questions prevail. But, the essence of her stories is so wonderfully presented that it finishes and I need more of it.
A good collection, more stories could have been given to us readers.
Her short stories, however, keep me wanting more. They end quickly, almost at all the climax and sometimes, unanswered questions prevail. But, the essence of her stories is so wonderfully presented that it finishes and I need more of it.
A good collection, more stories could have been given to us readers.
December 6, 2016
I prefer Divakaruni's short stories over her novels. I first read these some years ago and enjoyed the books more then than now. Is it that I have matured/changed, or were the books not as good as I first thought?
April 3, 2019
I liked it there were four short stories that I liked from this collection.
June 23, 2021
Excellent. A book I would re-read plenty of times!
October 28, 2023
Mrs. Dutta writes a letter --3
The intelligence of wild things --2
The lives of strangers --2
The love of a good man --3
What the body knows --2
The forgotten children --3
The blooming season for cacti --3
The unknown errors of our lives --3
The names of stars in Bengali --3
The intelligence of wild things --2
The lives of strangers --2
The love of a good man --3
What the body knows --2
The forgotten children --3
The blooming season for cacti --3
The unknown errors of our lives --3
The names of stars in Bengali --3
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews