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A Great Country: A Novel
From the New York Times bestselling author, a novel in the tradition of Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere, exploring the ties and fractures of a close-knit Indian-American family in the aftermath of a violent encounter with the police.
Pacific Hills, California: Gated communities, ocean views, well-tended lawns, serene pools, and now the new home of the Shah family. For the Shah parents, who came to America twenty years earlier with little more than an education and their new marriage, this move represents the culmination of years of hard work and dreaming. For their children, born and raised in America, success is not so simple.
For the most part, these differences among the five members of the Shah family are minor irritants, arguments between parents and children, older and younger siblings. But one Saturday night, the twelve-year-old son is arrested. The fallout from that event will shake each family member's perception of themselves as individuals, as community members, as Americans, and will lead each to consider: how do we define success? At what cost comes ambition? And what is our role and responsibility in the cultural mosaic of modern America?
For readers of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, A Great Country explores themes of immigration, generational conflict, social class and privilege as it reconsiders the myth of the model minority and questions the price of the American dream.
Pacific Hills, California: Gated communities, ocean views, well-tended lawns, serene pools, and now the new home of the Shah family. For the Shah parents, who came to America twenty years earlier with little more than an education and their new marriage, this move represents the culmination of years of hard work and dreaming. For their children, born and raised in America, success is not so simple.
For the most part, these differences among the five members of the Shah family are minor irritants, arguments between parents and children, older and younger siblings. But one Saturday night, the twelve-year-old son is arrested. The fallout from that event will shake each family member's perception of themselves as individuals, as community members, as Americans, and will lead each to consider: how do we define success? At what cost comes ambition? And what is our role and responsibility in the cultural mosaic of modern America?
For readers of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, A Great Country explores themes of immigration, generational conflict, social class and privilege as it reconsiders the myth of the model minority and questions the price of the American dream.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published March 26, 2024
302 people are currently reading
25198 people want to read
About the author
Shilpi Somaya Gowda
7 books73.6k followersShilpi Somaya Gowda is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of four novels: Secret Daughter (2010), The Golden Son (2015), The Shape of Family (2020), and A Great Country (2024). Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages, been #1 international bestsellers in several countries and sold more than two million copies worldwide.
Shilpi was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She spent a college summer as a volunteer in an Indian orphanage, which seeded the idea for her first novel and the transition from a business career to a becoming a writer: Secret Daughter was an IndieNext Great Read, a Target Book Club Pick, an Indigo Heather’s Pick, and an Amnesty International Book Club Pick. It was a finalist for the South African Boeke Literary Prize and the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It is in production with Amazon Studios to be a feature film, starring Priyanka Chopra and Sienna Miller.
The Golden Son was a Target Book Club Pick, a Costco Buyer’s Pick, and was awarded the French literary prize, Prix des Lyceens Folio. The Shape of Family was an international and American bestseller. Her latest novel, A Great Country, became an instant #1 international bestseller, has been named a top book of the year by over 25 publications, is an Amazon Editors’ pick, Costco Spotlight pick, Indigo Heather’s pick, and earned a starred review from Publishers’ Weekly. It has been longlisted for the Aspen Words Literary Prize and the New American Voices Award.
Shilpi was named the San Diego Writer of the Year in 2022, and selected for an artist residency at Ragdale. She holds an MBA from Stanford University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a Morehead-Cain scholar. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Children's Defense Fund, and is a Patron of Childhaven International, the organization for which she volunteered in India. She lives in California.
Shilpi was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She spent a college summer as a volunteer in an Indian orphanage, which seeded the idea for her first novel and the transition from a business career to a becoming a writer: Secret Daughter was an IndieNext Great Read, a Target Book Club Pick, an Indigo Heather’s Pick, and an Amnesty International Book Club Pick. It was a finalist for the South African Boeke Literary Prize and the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It is in production with Amazon Studios to be a feature film, starring Priyanka Chopra and Sienna Miller.
The Golden Son was a Target Book Club Pick, a Costco Buyer’s Pick, and was awarded the French literary prize, Prix des Lyceens Folio. The Shape of Family was an international and American bestseller. Her latest novel, A Great Country, became an instant #1 international bestseller, has been named a top book of the year by over 25 publications, is an Amazon Editors’ pick, Costco Spotlight pick, Indigo Heather’s pick, and earned a starred review from Publishers’ Weekly. It has been longlisted for the Aspen Words Literary Prize and the New American Voices Award.
Shilpi was named the San Diego Writer of the Year in 2022, and selected for an artist residency at Ragdale. She holds an MBA from Stanford University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a Morehead-Cain scholar. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Children's Defense Fund, and is a Patron of Childhaven International, the organization for which she volunteered in India. She lives in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,044 reviews
April 6, 2024
When the Shah family has a chance to move into a gated community in Pacific Hills, California they jump at it. All of their hard work has finally paid off and everything is going to be perfect. Until their 12 year old son is arrested and sends them down a path they couldn't imagine would happen to them.
This was an emotional thought provoking read and I couldn't put it down. I wish it had been longer.
This was an emotional thought provoking read and I couldn't put it down. I wish it had been longer.
February 3, 2024
Ashok and Priya emigrated from India to the United States to build a better life. They worked hard, and Priya gave birth to three children. Their dreams are coming true as they have just moved to the exclusive Palisades Hills area. But when their twelve year old neurodivergent son is arrested, a nightmare begins for the family and the parents learn a lot about their other two children, some cultural realities about America and the American dream.
I loved this book and recommended it to my husband who also really liked it. Well written and plotted, with fully developed characterizations, the author has her pulse on our present day social and political climate. It is an engrossing, fast read that I didn’t want to put down.
The immigrant experience felt by so many is captured and brought to life on the pages of this book. People work hard, pay taxes, support the economy, provide essential services and yet are vilified. There is prejudice, often inhumane treatment, and ever present feelings of vulnerability, especially if their skin is dark and the ever present conflict between trying to assimilate yet holding on to one’s heritage.
I think this would make an excellent selection for a book club…so much “grist” for discussion…not only topics mentioned above but also policing, white privilege, systemic racism, stereotyping, generational differences, the price of upward mobility. As an aside, it was interesting learning about the present day caste system in India.
Thanks to @netgalley and @marinerbooks for the DRC.
I loved this book and recommended it to my husband who also really liked it. Well written and plotted, with fully developed characterizations, the author has her pulse on our present day social and political climate. It is an engrossing, fast read that I didn’t want to put down.
The immigrant experience felt by so many is captured and brought to life on the pages of this book. People work hard, pay taxes, support the economy, provide essential services and yet are vilified. There is prejudice, often inhumane treatment, and ever present feelings of vulnerability, especially if their skin is dark and the ever present conflict between trying to assimilate yet holding on to one’s heritage.
I think this would make an excellent selection for a book club…so much “grist” for discussion…not only topics mentioned above but also policing, white privilege, systemic racism, stereotyping, generational differences, the price of upward mobility. As an aside, it was interesting learning about the present day caste system in India.
Thanks to @netgalley and @marinerbooks for the DRC.
April 22, 2024
4.5⭐️ When a violent encounter with the police rocks a close knit Indian-American family to the core, each will question their place in society and what it means to be “successful” in America.
This book was heartbreaking, but an important exploration of the immigrant experience and what it means to be truly integrated in a country touted as a “melting pot”. As thought provoking as it was enraging, Gowda explores the intersection of race and wealth in an intimate way, utilizing the Shah family’s very real and painful experience. And as this family comes to terms with what has happened, the ensuing generational conflict - of being an immigrant versus the children of an immigrant - added even more depth and food for thought.
This would make an absolutely fantastic book club pick as a lot of themes included make for an engaging discussion.
👉🏻 Read if you like: literary fiction, family dramas, stories of the immigrant experience, Indian-American rep, ensemble casts, neurodivergent rep, thought provoking reads
Thank you Mariner Books for the gifted copy.
This book was heartbreaking, but an important exploration of the immigrant experience and what it means to be truly integrated in a country touted as a “melting pot”. As thought provoking as it was enraging, Gowda explores the intersection of race and wealth in an intimate way, utilizing the Shah family’s very real and painful experience. And as this family comes to terms with what has happened, the ensuing generational conflict - of being an immigrant versus the children of an immigrant - added even more depth and food for thought.
This would make an absolutely fantastic book club pick as a lot of themes included make for an engaging discussion.
👉🏻 Read if you like: literary fiction, family dramas, stories of the immigrant experience, Indian-American rep, ensemble casts, neurodivergent rep, thought provoking reads
Thank you Mariner Books for the gifted copy.
April 13, 2024
Important issues like race, class, police brutality and immigration get muddled and dumbed down in this book. It reads like a practice novel that a high school or college kid wrote to stuff as many hot button, woke topics into a 250 page book as possible. The whole premise seemed unrealistic to me and the ending? Everything tied up in a bow?! Not sure what message the author is trying to make.
May 8, 2024
Unfortunately, this book was filled with too many cliches. I was rolling my eyes a bit as the character’s developed in predictable ways - and how many of the characters were simplified to an extreme - the poor hispanic family, the white wealthy family, the good cop, the well behaved daughter etc. It also tried to cover too much while not saying anything new.
August 4, 2024
This was my second book by this author (I loved “Secret Daughter”).
It’s a very engaging book and a fast read. I read it in one sitting.
It’s thought provoking and heartbreaking, and although may have lots of cliches, it touches several topics such as immigration, racism, police brutality and social behavior. In my opinion the characters sounded believable.
There isn’t a depth to each character. It’s all about situations, circumstances, perspectives and expectations.
But this work felt too short for so many different topics and the conclusion felt that it was written in a rush.
Regardless, I did enjoy the writing (even if repetitive at times) and storytelling, hence my ratings.
e-book (Kobo): 336 pages (default), 74k words
Hardcover (Mariner Books): 256 pages
July 7, 2024
Liked it!
Also think this would be a good one to discuss since it brings up a lot of topics about community, immigration, police brutality, caste system, and prejudices.
Also think this would be a good one to discuss since it brings up a lot of topics about community, immigration, police brutality, caste system, and prejudices.
February 1, 2025
I read this book in one sitting -- the story, the characters, the setting, all written with depth and understanding. Set primarily during a two-week period in southern California, Ashok and Priya Shah emigrated from India over 20 years ago to find fulfilling work, a home, success and start a family. They believe their struggles have paid off when they move into a gated, expensive neighborhood called Pacific Heights. While Ashok and Priya are at a neighbor's dinner party, their 12-year-old son -- undiagnosed but probably on the Asperger's/autism spectrum -- sits in a jail cell after being arrested for trespassing at a small airport near the family's home and flying a drone over the runways. Meanwhile, the Ashok's two daughters, Deepa and Maya, have taken different paths after the move to the new house. Deepa, a budding protestor and civil rights advocate, has snuck off to a protest at the southern border instead of picking up her siblings. Maya, a talented field hockey goalie, has enmeshed herself in the wealthy Baker family's life -- becoming best friends with their daughter, swooning over their handsome son, and doing whatever she can to be like them.
Shilpi Gowda captures the immigrant experience so fully -- I felt so immersed in these characters' lives. The reader really understands what has been going on for years regarding prejudice, racial profiling, the chaos and fear many people experience in our criminal justice system. This would make a perfect book club selection, and I plan to recommend it to my book club.
Thank you to Mariner Books for providing me with an Advanced Reader's Edition.
Shilpi Gowda captures the immigrant experience so fully -- I felt so immersed in these characters' lives. The reader really understands what has been going on for years regarding prejudice, racial profiling, the chaos and fear many people experience in our criminal justice system. This would make a perfect book club selection, and I plan to recommend it to my book club.
Thank you to Mariner Books for providing me with an Advanced Reader's Edition.
December 16, 2023
I motored through this and loved it! Favorite book of the year. I’m gonna go read her other three books right now.
October 17, 2023
The Shah family has just moved into the coveted Pacific Hills neighborhood. When Ashok and Priya immigrated to the US, they could only dream of one day living in this gated community with their children. They have worked hard to get to this point. Their oldest daughter, Deepa, isn't happy with the move and has constant arguments with her parents who she considers close minded. Maya, the middle daughter, is desperate to fit into this new school and has even become close friends with the daughter of a wealthy family. When the youngest child, 12 year old Ajay, is arrested, the Shah's have to face some hard truths about themselves and their community.
I didnt just read this book, I FELT this book. The struggles of new immigrants, and raising children in this foreign country. Wanting to blend in yet hold on to your roots. I saw my parents while reading about the characters. As an adult, I have such a new appreciation for my parents and what they went through. As a child of immigrants, I also relate to the experiences of the children. This book brought about so many emotions within me.
This book takes the fear that every brown skinned immigrant tries so hard to hide, and shines a bright light on it. It is exhausting trying to assimilate, not bring unwanted attention to yourself, and still live a normal life, but nothing about a life like that is normal.
This was a pretty quick read, I almost wished it was longer because there seemed to be so much more to delve into, especially the other families in the book, particularly the Bakers and the Sharmas, as well as the police officers. I've enjoyed the author's other books as well and look forward to more from her.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for providing the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I didnt just read this book, I FELT this book. The struggles of new immigrants, and raising children in this foreign country. Wanting to blend in yet hold on to your roots. I saw my parents while reading about the characters. As an adult, I have such a new appreciation for my parents and what they went through. As a child of immigrants, I also relate to the experiences of the children. This book brought about so many emotions within me.
This book takes the fear that every brown skinned immigrant tries so hard to hide, and shines a bright light on it. It is exhausting trying to assimilate, not bring unwanted attention to yourself, and still live a normal life, but nothing about a life like that is normal.
This was a pretty quick read, I almost wished it was longer because there seemed to be so much more to delve into, especially the other families in the book, particularly the Bakers and the Sharmas, as well as the police officers. I've enjoyed the author's other books as well and look forward to more from her.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for providing the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 13, 2025
The Shahs from India seem to have everything. They moved to Pacific Hills, a ( fictional) Southern California gated community, with ocean views, well-tended lawns, and swimming pools--and great connections. This move was the culmination of years of hard work and dreaming the American Dream. It's a success story and it looks like their children, who were born and raised in America, will go on to also become successful... And then, one day, the Shahs' twelve-year-old boy is arrested by the police, an event which will shake their perceptions of themselves as community members and Americans... A story that reconsiders what it means to be a member of the "model minority."
4/5 stars and thanks to Mariner Books for this Advance Reader's Edition.
4/5 stars and thanks to Mariner Books for this Advance Reader's Edition.
May 10, 2024
2.5 🌟 rounded up to 3. Obviously, my rating is much lower than the 4.02 on Goodreads. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this was just so BORING and felt like a public service announcement. The beginning was strong, but then it hit a dead end. I've enjoyed her other books much more.
March 26, 2024
Astute, fast-paced, and thought-provoking!
A Great Country is a nuanced, absorbing tale set in Pacific Heights, California that takes you into the lives of the Indian American Shah family as their lives get turned upside down when the youngest member of the family, twelve-year-old Ajay, is brutally arrested and they must each individually confront their conflicting feelings and experiences with systemic racism, prejudice, privilege, controversy, reputation, and ableism.
The prose is well-turned and fluid. The characters are flawed, troubled, and confused. And the plot is a moving tale of life, loss, shame, reputation, ostracism, class division, suffering, friendship, culture, and familial drama.
Overall, A Great Country is a hopeful, compelling, multi-generational saga by Gowda that is a good reminder that family can be frustrating, messy, secretive, and sometimes hard to love, but they can also be surprising, supportive, loyal, and the only true place that feels like home.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
A Great Country is a nuanced, absorbing tale set in Pacific Heights, California that takes you into the lives of the Indian American Shah family as their lives get turned upside down when the youngest member of the family, twelve-year-old Ajay, is brutally arrested and they must each individually confront their conflicting feelings and experiences with systemic racism, prejudice, privilege, controversy, reputation, and ableism.
The prose is well-turned and fluid. The characters are flawed, troubled, and confused. And the plot is a moving tale of life, loss, shame, reputation, ostracism, class division, suffering, friendship, culture, and familial drama.
Overall, A Great Country is a hopeful, compelling, multi-generational saga by Gowda that is a good reminder that family can be frustrating, messy, secretive, and sometimes hard to love, but they can also be surprising, supportive, loyal, and the only true place that feels like home.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2024
“ A Great Country “ is an emotional, thought provoking read that I found hard to put down but filled me with me so many emotions. Shilpi Somaya Gowda takes on issues facing our country and does so in a very thoughtful way highlighting many perspectives. This should be in recommended in every high school and college English classes to raise awareness and creat meaningful dialogue on current issues. I can’t wait to discuss it in my book discussion club!
March 19, 2024
I saw this one on the most anticipated releases on Indigo Canada’s website and I went to see if I could request the e-arc right away. It sounded right up my alley, especially when I saw it compared to Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng which I also loved.
I was kindly provided an arc and I’m so glad I read it because I truly loved this book. The author was able to intertwine so many important topics into a family saga in such a succinct way in this novel. Less than 300 pages!
This one is thought provoking, angering, and hopeful in so many ways. We are entered into the life of an Indian family who lives in California, they have made so many sacrifices and done everything right to be the “model minority” so they don’t see it coming when their 12 year old son is roped into a legal case for innocently flying his drone near an airport.
It discusses the Indian caste system which I only learned about myself a couple years ago, the continuation of discrimination not just from white people but from other minorities and how that can further disrupt progress and create divide. It also touches on neurodivergence in what I think was a very well done way.
I absolutely loved this one. It comes out next week so I recommend you grab a copy asap!!
4.5/5⭐️ loved it!!
I was kindly provided an arc and I’m so glad I read it because I truly loved this book. The author was able to intertwine so many important topics into a family saga in such a succinct way in this novel. Less than 300 pages!
This one is thought provoking, angering, and hopeful in so many ways. We are entered into the life of an Indian family who lives in California, they have made so many sacrifices and done everything right to be the “model minority” so they don’t see it coming when their 12 year old son is roped into a legal case for innocently flying his drone near an airport.
It discusses the Indian caste system which I only learned about myself a couple years ago, the continuation of discrimination not just from white people but from other minorities and how that can further disrupt progress and create divide. It also touches on neurodivergence in what I think was a very well done way.
I absolutely loved this one. It comes out next week so I recommend you grab a copy asap!!
4.5/5⭐️ loved it!!
January 13, 2025
“It shouldn’t have to happen to you for you to care about it.”
The Shah family (mom, dad, two teenage girls and a 12 year old son) live in Orange County in Southern California and enjoy a modest living, something the parents have worked very hard for. Their lives become upended one afternoon when their neurodivergent (likely ASD) son, who is very tall for his age, is mistaken for a possible terrorist and is brutally detained and arrested. While it seems clear that his arrest is an error and misunderstanding, their nonwhiteness is a factor in the investigation and subsequent media coverage.
Really enjoyed this book and the way the author took the time to develop the story. There were a few plot points that felt too easily resolved / glossed over, but for the most part I found this to be a thought provoking story.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent, with many voices for the characters and a distinct narrator in addition. A+ for that.
The Shah family (mom, dad, two teenage girls and a 12 year old son) live in Orange County in Southern California and enjoy a modest living, something the parents have worked very hard for. Their lives become upended one afternoon when their neurodivergent (likely ASD) son, who is very tall for his age, is mistaken for a possible terrorist and is brutally detained and arrested. While it seems clear that his arrest is an error and misunderstanding, their nonwhiteness is a factor in the investigation and subsequent media coverage.
Really enjoyed this book and the way the author took the time to develop the story. There were a few plot points that felt too easily resolved / glossed over, but for the most part I found this to be a thought provoking story.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent, with many voices for the characters and a distinct narrator in addition. A+ for that.
April 15, 2024
Thank you Mariner Books #partner for gifting me an e-copy via NetGalley! I enjoyed this book so much that I had to get a finished copy and audiobook for myself!
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I’ve been withholding reviewing this book because I feel that my words cannot do justice to how A Great Book this is (see what I did?). We’re only on month 4 but I definitely know this book is making it to my top 10 2024 reads.
The story begins with an Indian immigrant family who finally gets to buy a new house in one of the poshiest Californian neighborhoods after years of planning and working hard to get to their current success. However their American dream comes to a standstill when their son gets mixed up in a terrible confrontation with the police. Their other two daughters also become involved in different situations and the family is left to contemplate the costs of immigrating even though they played by all the rules of the land.
What I REALLY loved about this book is the effective representation of different types of immigrants from different parts of the world, and also the differences of opinions and generational conflicts faced within immigrants. So often, our media places all immigrants into one giant box, and many Americans do not realize the different pathways immigrants have to move to The States. This book explains all this effortlessly, and for this reason, I highly recommend you read this book no matter where you stand on the issues of politics and immigration.
The author also presents current issues as facts without pointing fingers at a specific crowd. In the book, we come to know of good and bad cops, good and bad neighbors and that sometimes our support system comes from the most unexpected places. I have MAD RESPECT for this masterpiece and hope it makes its way into all the book clubs!
——
I’ve been withholding reviewing this book because I feel that my words cannot do justice to how A Great Book this is (see what I did?). We’re only on month 4 but I definitely know this book is making it to my top 10 2024 reads.
The story begins with an Indian immigrant family who finally gets to buy a new house in one of the poshiest Californian neighborhoods after years of planning and working hard to get to their current success. However their American dream comes to a standstill when their son gets mixed up in a terrible confrontation with the police. Their other two daughters also become involved in different situations and the family is left to contemplate the costs of immigrating even though they played by all the rules of the land.
What I REALLY loved about this book is the effective representation of different types of immigrants from different parts of the world, and also the differences of opinions and generational conflicts faced within immigrants. So often, our media places all immigrants into one giant box, and many Americans do not realize the different pathways immigrants have to move to The States. This book explains all this effortlessly, and for this reason, I highly recommend you read this book no matter where you stand on the issues of politics and immigration.
The author also presents current issues as facts without pointing fingers at a specific crowd. In the book, we come to know of good and bad cops, good and bad neighbors and that sometimes our support system comes from the most unexpected places. I have MAD RESPECT for this masterpiece and hope it makes its way into all the book clubs!
January 2, 2024
A domestic thriller with bite, A Great Country brings that contemporary thrill to a story of an Indian family that is steadily moving up in stature and community.
Set in California: we meet the Shahs - a first generation Indian family who has worked and sacrificed in order to provide excellent opportunities for their three children. All. three are acclimating to their new home in the Beverly Hills style school district, leaving their familiar friends and lifestyle behind. When the youngest is arrested and jailed at age 12, a small snowball of a situation becomes a boulder, than an avalanche.
I loved reading and experiencing the different opinions of the many characters involved in this story. The characters and actions rang true! Somaya Gowda provides plenty of backstory in short chapters that move the story along quickly. It was fascinating, entertaining and satisfying!
From the publisher: A Great Country explores themes of immigration, generational conflict, social class and privilege as it reconsiders the myth of the model minority and questions the price of the American dream.
#mariner #shilpisomayagowda #agreatcountry
Set in California: we meet the Shahs - a first generation Indian family who has worked and sacrificed in order to provide excellent opportunities for their three children. All. three are acclimating to their new home in the Beverly Hills style school district, leaving their familiar friends and lifestyle behind. When the youngest is arrested and jailed at age 12, a small snowball of a situation becomes a boulder, than an avalanche.
I loved reading and experiencing the different opinions of the many characters involved in this story. The characters and actions rang true! Somaya Gowda provides plenty of backstory in short chapters that move the story along quickly. It was fascinating, entertaining and satisfying!
From the publisher: A Great Country explores themes of immigration, generational conflict, social class and privilege as it reconsiders the myth of the model minority and questions the price of the American dream.
#mariner #shilpisomayagowda #agreatcountry
April 29, 2025
A layered and suspenseful story. Multiple points of view. Social issues as old as time. Horrifying experience for Ajay. Equally horrifying for his parents, but in different ways. Thought-provoking story.
I liked how the characters are very human. They make mistakes. They're likable in one situation, and frustrating and angry and fearful in another. No one is perfect, no one is the savior, no one has the perfect solution. An important story for any American citizen.
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Overall, definitely worth the read.
I liked how the characters are very human. They make mistakes. They're likable in one situation, and frustrating and angry and fearful in another. No one is perfect, no one is the savior, no one has the perfect solution. An important story for any American citizen.
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Overall, definitely worth the read.
May 30, 2024
A very readable and relatable novel but its short length made it feel more cursory than penetrant. A 3.5 for me.
February 16, 2024
When describing A Great Country by Shilpi Somaya Gowda, words like powerful, timely, eye-opening, and educational immediately come to mind. The novel follows an Indian-American family living quite comfortably in California until a police encounter with one of their family members goes horribly wrong. It sheds some light on the current political and social issues present in America today by exploring themes like immigration, race, class, privilege, community, and culture. It also explains the caste system in India, which is essentially a social hierarchy passed down through families and generations. I was not aware of such system, so I appreciated the eye-opening insight. This novel is perfect for fans of Little Fires Everywhere, A Place for Us, and Our Best Intentions. Book clubs will really love this one as well. 4/5 stars for this very important read! It’s out on March 26th!
June 3, 2024
Loved it. Thought provoking, with an interesting look at racism and privilege in many different forms in America.
April 15, 2024
I have read and enjoyed all of Shilpi Somaya Gowda's books, but this one has to be my favorite. The story covers so many important social issues in a fast paced story - I couldn't put the book down. Every character rings true. It is entertaining and thought provoking. Would be a fantastic book club book.
April 9, 2024
Sad at times. Great story and characters. Makes you think!
Happy reading 📖
Happy reading 📖
November 8, 2024
The story resonated deeply with me as an immigrant. The challenges of adjusting to a new culture, the sense of longing for the familiar, and the complexities of raising children with different cultural influences were all strikingly relatable. I appreciated how the book depicted the diverse struggles immigrants face—adapting to a new society, building a life away from family and friends, and managing the inevitable cultural clash between generations.
The family dynamics, especially around the Shahs' 12-year-old son who seems neurodivergent, brought additional layers to the narrative. The parents' struggle with accepting his differences felt very real and added nuance to the portrayal of immigrant families juggling multiple pressures. What starts as a seemingly innocent mistake snowballs into a significant issue, introducing themes of police brutality, racial profiling, and moral dilemmas—issues that many communities face in real life, making this story even more compelling and thought-provoking.
While I appreciated the author’s exploration of various social issues, there were a few points where I felt she overemphasized outdated stereotypes about the Indian community. Some of these depictions felt out of place, as they might mislead readers unfamiliar with the community into thinking such practices are still widely prevalent, which I believe is no longer accurate.
Overall, I give this book 4/5 stars.
A Great Country is a powerful, thought-provoking read that encourages readers to reflect on the challenges immigrants face and the environment we create for future generations.
It’s a reminder of the importance of understanding and supporting one another in a world where identities often overlap and clash.
The family dynamics, especially around the Shahs' 12-year-old son who seems neurodivergent, brought additional layers to the narrative. The parents' struggle with accepting his differences felt very real and added nuance to the portrayal of immigrant families juggling multiple pressures. What starts as a seemingly innocent mistake snowballs into a significant issue, introducing themes of police brutality, racial profiling, and moral dilemmas—issues that many communities face in real life, making this story even more compelling and thought-provoking.
While I appreciated the author’s exploration of various social issues, there were a few points where I felt she overemphasized outdated stereotypes about the Indian community. Some of these depictions felt out of place, as they might mislead readers unfamiliar with the community into thinking such practices are still widely prevalent, which I believe is no longer accurate.
Overall, I give this book 4/5 stars.
A Great Country is a powerful, thought-provoking read that encourages readers to reflect on the challenges immigrants face and the environment we create for future generations.
It’s a reminder of the importance of understanding and supporting one another in a world where identities often overlap and clash.
November 28, 2023
OOOOH I loved this book. It's nuanced and thought-provoking AND ALSO vivid and blistering - in other words, it's massively memorable, and endlessly discussable, and frankly unputdownable. I blazed through it in an evening; it's been a while since I cancelled my plans for a book, but I was so absorbed I couldn't not.
Why'd I love it? The writing was strong - no complaints - but the storytelling was spectacular. I needed to know, at first, what had happened and would happen to Ajay, the 12-year-old son, but soon I felt the same investment and care for every member of the Shah family. This author is brilliant at capturing what it means to be human, and to try your best, and how you deal with things you can't control. Normally I struggle with multiple protagonists/POVs, but she brought each one to life vibrantly and unmistakably. (I will say I didn't 100% love the ending - but the overall reading experience was a solid five stars regardless. )
This novel raises discomfiting and powerful questions about race and class and policing. I'm really eager to hear how other folks receive and react to it.
Thanks to Mariner Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Why'd I love it? The writing was strong - no complaints - but the storytelling was spectacular. I needed to know, at first, what had happened and would happen to Ajay, the 12-year-old son, but soon I felt the same investment and care for every member of the Shah family. This author is brilliant at capturing what it means to be human, and to try your best, and how you deal with things you can't control. Normally I struggle with multiple protagonists/POVs, but she brought each one to life vibrantly and unmistakably. (I will say I didn't 100% love the ending - but the overall reading experience was a solid five stars regardless. )
This novel raises discomfiting and powerful questions about race and class and policing. I'm really eager to hear how other folks receive and react to it.
Thanks to Mariner Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
May 5, 2024
I recently read that people who read fiction develop greater skills of empathy—and this novel is an exercise in empathy. It’s addresses immigration, the meaning of family and friends, and the racial makeup and inequalities of America. And yet the author skillfully rolls all of those big themes into a readable and believable story. At times I found my mama’s heart aching intensely.
January 1, 2024
I was so excited to get a copy of this book as I am such a huge fan of the author. This was an enjoyable read that really shows some different perspectives of living in the USA, really North America in general. The inequalities that many people face and at different levels based on privilege. Plus I loved the cover!
January 5, 2025
This is an easy, page turning book about class and race and how that affects us all. Class and race conversations are never easy though so we can’t call this an easy story.
It was interesting to see after I read the book that the author wrote this in a kind of response to the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis. This is not something that came to mind when I was reading so her afterword surprised me.
The story didn’t sit still long enough for me to get invested in the characters.
Also, every action in the story was placed to prove a point.
Yet, I actually liked the story (since that may not be obvious from my above review). It was definitely a Celeste Ng read alike.
She brought to the front race and class issues I’ve never thought about. I’m appreciative of that.
“The caste system in India is believed to be over 3000 years old and is among the world’s oldest forms of surviving social stratification. Hindus, who make up approximately 80% of India’s population today, are divided into four main categories, 3,000 castes, and 25,000 subcastes. Outside of this system are the Dalits or “untouchables”, as they were once called. For centuries, many aspects of life in India have been guided by this complex caste hierarchy, from housing and education to marriage.”
“Is America truly a country where people can come from around the world to seek their version of the American dream, or a place where ancient biases and discrimination continue to reign?”
“It was a harsh realization that Ashok had fled one hierarchy in India only to find another in America, even if it was one in which he had managed to ascend to a higher rung.”
“…that no one willingly gives up their place of privilege for someone new—words that now took on new meaning.”
It was interesting to see after I read the book that the author wrote this in a kind of response to the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis. This is not something that came to mind when I was reading so her afterword surprised me.
The story didn’t sit still long enough for me to get invested in the characters.
Also, every action in the story was placed to prove a point.
Yet, I actually liked the story (since that may not be obvious from my above review). It was definitely a Celeste Ng read alike.
She brought to the front race and class issues I’ve never thought about. I’m appreciative of that.
“The caste system in India is believed to be over 3000 years old and is among the world’s oldest forms of surviving social stratification. Hindus, who make up approximately 80% of India’s population today, are divided into four main categories, 3,000 castes, and 25,000 subcastes. Outside of this system are the Dalits or “untouchables”, as they were once called. For centuries, many aspects of life in India have been guided by this complex caste hierarchy, from housing and education to marriage.”
“Is America truly a country where people can come from around the world to seek their version of the American dream, or a place where ancient biases and discrimination continue to reign?”
“It was a harsh realization that Ashok had fled one hierarchy in India only to find another in America, even if it was one in which he had managed to ascend to a higher rung.”
“…that no one willingly gives up their place of privilege for someone new—words that now took on new meaning.”
April 18, 2024
As soon as I started reading I knew that this book was going to piss me off and it did! But it was enlightening seeing these situations from another lens. It helped me understand why some people see an unjust event and can easily look the other way until it's one of their own. Even when it is their own, how they can still look at the situation with rose colored glasses. I know as a black woman, I would look at incident of police brutality against a black person and wonder how other people of color couldn't care in the slightest. This book help sheds a little light on why that is the case. Of course my favorite character was Deepa because she was trying her best to learn how to be an ally to those without model minority privilege. Poor Ajay was just a smart, inquisitive (and likely autistic) kid who innocently got caught up. It makes you think how kids from other races might have suffered a more horrific fate. Well done and beautifully written, Gowda!
Rounded up from 4.5.
Rounded up from 4.5.
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