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A Convergence of Solitudes
A story of identity, connection and forgiveness, A Convergence of Solitudes shares the lives of two families across Partition of India, Operation Babylift in Vietnam, and two referendums in Quebec. ?
Sunil and Hima, teenage lovers, bravely defy taboos in pre-Partition India to come together as their country divides in two. They move across the world to Montreal and raise a family, but Sunil shows symptoms of schizophrenia, shattering their newfound peace. As a teenager, their daughter Rani becomes obsessed with Quebecois supergroup Sensibilité—and, in particular, the band's charismatic, nationalistic frontman, Serge Giglio—whose music connects Rani to the province's struggle for cultural freedom. A chance encounter leads Rani to babysit Mélanie, Serge's adopted daughter from Vietnam, bringing her fleetingly within his inner circle.
Years later, Rani, now a college guidance counselor, discovers that Mélanie has booked an appointment to discuss her future at the school. Unmoved by her father's staunch patriotism and her British mother's bourgeois ways, Mélanie is struggling with deep uncertainty about her identity and belonging. As the two women's lives become more and more intertwined, Rani's fascination with Mélanie's father's music becomes a strange shadow amidst their friendship.
Sunil and Hima, teenage lovers, bravely defy taboos in pre-Partition India to come together as their country divides in two. They move across the world to Montreal and raise a family, but Sunil shows symptoms of schizophrenia, shattering their newfound peace. As a teenager, their daughter Rani becomes obsessed with Quebecois supergroup Sensibilité—and, in particular, the band's charismatic, nationalistic frontman, Serge Giglio—whose music connects Rani to the province's struggle for cultural freedom. A chance encounter leads Rani to babysit Mélanie, Serge's adopted daughter from Vietnam, bringing her fleetingly within his inner circle.
Years later, Rani, now a college guidance counselor, discovers that Mélanie has booked an appointment to discuss her future at the school. Unmoved by her father's staunch patriotism and her British mother's bourgeois ways, Mélanie is struggling with deep uncertainty about her identity and belonging. As the two women's lives become more and more intertwined, Rani's fascination with Mélanie's father's music becomes a strange shadow amidst their friendship.
364 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2022
7 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Anita Anand
2 books8 followersAnita Anand was born in Montreal and lives in a suburb of that city now. When she was younger, she moved back and forth between her hometown and such places as the Bronx, Bedfordshire, England and Richmond, B.C. In every neighbourhood where she has lived, she has been the only person her age of Indian origin, a priceless gift to her development as a writer.
This Anita Anand is not the Canadian Minister of Defense, nor the British novelist and broadcast journalist, although she regularly receives their email. Unlike her namesakes, she was an ESL instructor until recently and now focusses on pitching literary translations to publishers, practicing for her guitar lessons, and trying to save the world through signing petitions. She also writes, but only sporadically.
A Convergence of Solitudes, her first novel, won last year’s gold Independent Publishing (Ippy) Award, was a finalist for the 2022 Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction, the 2023 Ontario Library Association’s Evergreen Award and a Foreword Indies Award.
Anita’s first book, Swing in the House and Other Stories won the QWF-Concordia University First Book Prize in 2015 and was nominated for both the 2015 Montreal Diversity Prize for a First Publication and the 2016 Relit Award.
Anita has translated four novels by Québec authors: As the Andes Disappeared, by Caroline Dawson, Lightness and Mukbang, both by Fanie Demeule, and Nirliit, by Juliana-Leveillé-Trudel.
This Anita Anand is not the Canadian Minister of Defense, nor the British novelist and broadcast journalist, although she regularly receives their email. Unlike her namesakes, she was an ESL instructor until recently and now focusses on pitching literary translations to publishers, practicing for her guitar lessons, and trying to save the world through signing petitions. She also writes, but only sporadically.
A Convergence of Solitudes, her first novel, won last year’s gold Independent Publishing (Ippy) Award, was a finalist for the 2022 Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction, the 2023 Ontario Library Association’s Evergreen Award and a Foreword Indies Award.
Anita’s first book, Swing in the House and Other Stories won the QWF-Concordia University First Book Prize in 2015 and was nominated for both the 2015 Montreal Diversity Prize for a First Publication and the 2016 Relit Award.
Anita has translated four novels by Québec authors: As the Andes Disappeared, by Caroline Dawson, Lightness and Mukbang, both by Fanie Demeule, and Nirliit, by Juliana-Leveillé-Trudel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 29, 2024
L’un des plus beaux romans québécois contemporains qu’il m’ait été donné de lire ces dernières années. Non sans une certaine ironie — mais sans faire ombrage aux débats identitaires qui animent la province depuis des décennies, quelle que soit la perspective partisane adoptée, bien au contraire — l’œuvre d’origine a été publiée en anglais. J’ai fait une exception à mes propres préférences et j’ai lu la version traduite, pour une fois : le contexte s’y prêtait si bien. Je salue au passage le travail de Daniel Grenier comme traducteur, qui me laisse comblé; je me promets aussi de lire Anita Anand de nouveau, fort possiblement en anglais, une prochaine fois.
D’un intérêt particulier, dans ce livre-ci : la voix sincère et attachante d’une jeune Québécoise qui souhaite se détacher de l’Inde de ses parents pour mieux affirmer sa propre appartenance au territoire qui l’a vue grandir, le Québec. C’est à contre-courant de tous les clichés populistes sur les immigrants dont on nous inonde et c’est magnifique, tellement c’est intelligent, authentique et habilement mené.
Un million de points en prime : le roman associe à son intrigue, et ce, de façon centrale et soutenue, le groupe musical Harmonium, probablement mon favori d’entre tous parmi ce que le terroir nous a livré au fil du temps. Je n’ai jamais vu ça venir, non pas que la couverture ne le suggérait pas d’emblée; j’apprécie cette couverture d’autant plus, a posteriori.
Ça me renverse que quelqu’un ait écrit tout ça. Ça me donne espoir, ça m’amuse, ça me confond. Ça m’inspire le plus grand des sourires, aussi. Chapeau à Anita Anand. Tout simplement wow.
D’un intérêt particulier, dans ce livre-ci : la voix sincère et attachante d’une jeune Québécoise qui souhaite se détacher de l’Inde de ses parents pour mieux affirmer sa propre appartenance au territoire qui l’a vue grandir, le Québec. C’est à contre-courant de tous les clichés populistes sur les immigrants dont on nous inonde et c’est magnifique, tellement c’est intelligent, authentique et habilement mené.
Un million de points en prime : le roman associe à son intrigue, et ce, de façon centrale et soutenue, le groupe musical Harmonium, probablement mon favori d’entre tous parmi ce que le terroir nous a livré au fil du temps. Je n’ai jamais vu ça venir, non pas que la couverture ne le suggérait pas d’emblée; j’apprécie cette couverture d’autant plus, a posteriori.
Ça me renverse que quelqu’un ait écrit tout ça. Ça me donne espoir, ça m’amuse, ça me confond. Ça m’inspire le plus grand des sourires, aussi. Chapeau à Anita Anand. Tout simplement wow.
Read
May 30, 2024Quel beau livre, qui, en plus de Mélanie et Rani, présente un éventail de personnages et de trajectoires! J'ai adoré d'entendre parler du Québec des années 80 et 90, mais aussi de l'Inde des années 40 et 50. Ces temps-ci, je cherche des histoires plus longues, ces temps-ci, j'ai envie de me faire raconter des fictions qui s'étirent dans le temps et Une convergence de solitudes a parfaitement répondu à ce désir-là. J'ai adoré découvrir Rani, Hima, Sunil, Mélanie, Serge et Jane, dans toute leur complexité, ce qui les rend aimables, ce qui les rend haïssables.
«Il disait qu'il aimait la neige, parce qu'il adorait les randonnées avec son frère Krishen, en décembre, au Kashmir, mais pas la marche en tant que telle. Il n'était pas sportif. Il aimait être entouré de cette matière froide et humide, qui ressemblait à du sucre. »
«Ce n'était que la vie, mais en fait, c'était bien suffisant.»
«Il disait qu'il aimait la neige, parce qu'il adorait les randonnées avec son frère Krishen, en décembre, au Kashmir, mais pas la marche en tant que telle. Il n'était pas sportif. Il aimait être entouré de cette matière froide et humide, qui ressemblait à du sucre. »
«Ce n'était que la vie, mais en fait, c'était bien suffisant.»
Read
July 4, 2023No
I tried. I almost made it to the halfway mark. But I couldn't. So much of nothing happened. I skimmed and skipped and missed nothing. The repetition and mondain explanations of everyday going ons was draining.
I admire the author for publishing and making herself vulnerable to criticism so I'm not going to taint her novel with a low star rating. Maybe someone else will appreciate her style of writing. It just wasn't for me 😴
🇨🇦
I tried. I almost made it to the halfway mark. But I couldn't. So much of nothing happened. I skimmed and skipped and missed nothing. The repetition and mondain explanations of everyday going ons was draining.
I admire the author for publishing and making herself vulnerable to criticism so I'm not going to taint her novel with a low star rating. Maybe someone else will appreciate her style of writing. It just wasn't for me 😴
🇨🇦
April 2, 2024
J'ai l'impression d'être restée sur ma faim avec ce roman. Souvent, on ouvrait des portes pour nous laisser entrevoir et on la referme trop vite. Ce qui en résulte que j'ai ressenti de l'empathie pour les personnages, mais je ne me suis pas attachée à eux. Il y avait trop de sauts dans le temps, et dans les points de vue, à mon goût. Je pense que j'espérais aussi, éventuellement dans le récit, qu'on finisse par s'éloigner de ce sentiment de tristesse qui habitait les protagonistes mais il y a à peine une percée de soleil vers la fin.
May 14, 2022
A lovely, quiet little book. I had only three (3) days left on my Edelweiss ARC, so it was time to get at it. What a lovely surprise when I opened it and read it.
The title is clearly channeling Two Solitudes by Hugh MacLennan… updating it for the contemporary context by bringing in immigrant culture(s) as another solitude, hence the ‘plural’ in this title.
The author does a wonderful job of exploring family, community, identity and politics. Rani is the link connecting all the players in this character driven novel. Back and forth, across time and space we explore the connections - the parallels - between the partition of India, the Vietnam War and the politics of separation in Quebec. In so doing, the author, gently but poignantly, explores the realities of being an immigrant, and the ‘solitude’ of being an immigrant.
At its core, this is about family, about the ties that bind, and about the multi-faceted nature of love, and the meaning of home… exploring the ‘great tidal waves of emotions and insights’ that are just a normal part of life.
With thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to a digital ARC.
The title is clearly channeling Two Solitudes by Hugh MacLennan… updating it for the contemporary context by bringing in immigrant culture(s) as another solitude, hence the ‘plural’ in this title.
The author does a wonderful job of exploring family, community, identity and politics. Rani is the link connecting all the players in this character driven novel. Back and forth, across time and space we explore the connections - the parallels - between the partition of India, the Vietnam War and the politics of separation in Quebec. In so doing, the author, gently but poignantly, explores the realities of being an immigrant, and the ‘solitude’ of being an immigrant.
At its core, this is about family, about the ties that bind, and about the multi-faceted nature of love, and the meaning of home… exploring the ‘great tidal waves of emotions and insights’ that are just a normal part of life.
With thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to a digital ARC.
Read
March 19, 2023An intriguing Canadian novel that goes beyond (while nonetheless exploring) the traditional "Canadianness" of "Oui ou Non" and includes India (pre and post partition), Vietnam, and even a quick glance at New York City! It is a very Canadian novel in its quests for identity, language, and ancestry, yet it is not stereotypically Canadian. Altogether an attractive novel, with its share of contemporary pain and its willingness to find an antidote.
July 1, 2023
Wonderful: well written characters, great insight into family dynamics
May 3, 2022
Anand’s confident and invigorating novel is a sweeping, multi-character swirl through decades of Quebec, Indian, and Vietnamese history, from the disappointments of failed revolutions to the piquancy and pitfalls of cultural exploration. With the structural fizz of Michael Cunningham’s “Flesh and Blood” (short chapters and pointed touchstones) and a musical lilt all its own, the story explores competing ideologies and shifting points of view in order to lay bare our similar egotisms and pressure points, whether we are a rich Hindu girl falling in love with an impulsive dreamer as her country splits in two or a washed up Quebec separatist who has lost touch with his own harmonies. This is a page-turning, thought-provoking read full of linguistic playfulness and dazzling detours. The novel so brilliantly captures the Canadian condition that it would shock me if it doesn’t one day win Canada Reads.
October 30, 2024
Franchement intéressant, mais ça manque de fluidité. Peut-être parce qu’il s’agit d’une traduction. Un livre québécois traduit, de l’anglais au français, c’est rare. Mais c’est riche. Ça apporte un point de vue sur l’histoire du Québec qu’on voit quasi jamais.
Mixer l’histoire des deux référendums à celle de l’Inde des années 40 et 50 ainsi qu’à celle de la guerre du Vietnam, c’est un tour de force.
La seule chose qui m’énerve, c’est que j’ai pas l’impression d’avoir tout saisi. Le style et le fil conducteur étaient pas simples à suivre.
Mixer l’histoire des deux référendums à celle de l’Inde des années 40 et 50 ainsi qu’à celle de la guerre du Vietnam, c’est un tour de force.
La seule chose qui m’énerve, c’est que j’ai pas l’impression d’avoir tout saisi. Le style et le fil conducteur étaient pas simples à suivre.
August 5, 2024
My review of this book in Herizons magazine in 2022:
Culture clash and parent-child dissonance are central themes in this ambitious first novel. (Anand has also written an award-winning, short story collection.)
Rani, born in Montreal, child of Hima and Sunil, first generation immigrants from India, insists she is Canadian, despite the racism she faces at school. Wanting most of all to belong, she would rather that they ordered in pizza than rolled out rotis. French bubbles up in her brain and she is sustained by the music of Sensibilité, a popular, genre-defying band which is pro Quebec independence. As an adolescent, she imagines that Serge Giglio, the charismatic lead-singer, sings directly to her.
Rani’s life intersects with Mélaine’s. Mélaine doesn’t want to belong to her adoptive parents, Serge and Jane (an English immigrant). She craves her father’s attention, which is directed at his music. Of mixed-race, Vietnamese origin, she is angry at them for “stealing” her. (She is part of the controversial Operation Babylift that evacuated children from South Vietnam to Western countries at the end of the Vietnam War.) As she grows up, she combs the archives for information about her birth mother, but has little to go on.
Apart from Rani and Mélanie, Hima, Sunil, Serge and Jane are also fully developed characters whose stories unfold against the backdrop of political conflict -- the partition of India in 1947, and the two referendums about Quebec’s independence, respectively.
Anand deserves kudos for her skillful portrayal of six, diverse characters, including the schizophrenic Sunil. While his malady diminishes him, she shows that schizophrenics can still have a life and even some dignity. She is equally adept at showing how Rani straddles the divide between French and English Canada all her life.
While it’s expansive, socio-political canvas gives this novel depth and gravitas, it’s strength lies in its depiction of tangled human bonds, which, despite strong friction, hold, even heal. It’s suspenseful quality fuelled by the movement between the multiple stories makes it an entertaining read. Finally, this book is a complex tribute to immigrant grit, the pains of growing up, and the possibility of diverse, self-sculpted identities.
Culture clash and parent-child dissonance are central themes in this ambitious first novel. (Anand has also written an award-winning, short story collection.)
Rani, born in Montreal, child of Hima and Sunil, first generation immigrants from India, insists she is Canadian, despite the racism she faces at school. Wanting most of all to belong, she would rather that they ordered in pizza than rolled out rotis. French bubbles up in her brain and she is sustained by the music of Sensibilité, a popular, genre-defying band which is pro Quebec independence. As an adolescent, she imagines that Serge Giglio, the charismatic lead-singer, sings directly to her.
Rani’s life intersects with Mélaine’s. Mélaine doesn’t want to belong to her adoptive parents, Serge and Jane (an English immigrant). She craves her father’s attention, which is directed at his music. Of mixed-race, Vietnamese origin, she is angry at them for “stealing” her. (She is part of the controversial Operation Babylift that evacuated children from South Vietnam to Western countries at the end of the Vietnam War.) As she grows up, she combs the archives for information about her birth mother, but has little to go on.
Apart from Rani and Mélanie, Hima, Sunil, Serge and Jane are also fully developed characters whose stories unfold against the backdrop of political conflict -- the partition of India in 1947, and the two referendums about Quebec’s independence, respectively.
Anand deserves kudos for her skillful portrayal of six, diverse characters, including the schizophrenic Sunil. While his malady diminishes him, she shows that schizophrenics can still have a life and even some dignity. She is equally adept at showing how Rani straddles the divide between French and English Canada all her life.
While it’s expansive, socio-political canvas gives this novel depth and gravitas, it’s strength lies in its depiction of tangled human bonds, which, despite strong friction, hold, even heal. It’s suspenseful quality fuelled by the movement between the multiple stories makes it an entertaining read. Finally, this book is a complex tribute to immigrant grit, the pains of growing up, and the possibility of diverse, self-sculpted identities.
January 24, 2025
I enjoyed parts of this novel but was hoping for something more. The prose is beautiful, the characters are complex, and there are consistent themes of identity and otherness. The author does a good job making you feel pity, contempt, and admiration (sometimes all at once), and the multiple strands of the story are interwoven masterfully.
There are two families central to the story. Rani is a first generation Canadian who grows up during the Quebecois Separatist Movement. Her father is proud to be a pioneering Indian immigrant to Canada, though her mother reluctantly left behind a life of tropical luxury in India. Rani herself does not feel she is Indian, nor does she belong with the Francophones or Anglos...but she is a devoted fan of Sensibilité, a folk rock group who sings fierce ballads of Quebec sovereignty. Later, Rani marries an Irishman she meets while backpacking in Europe, and they return to Quebec where they have two young daughters. The other family belongs to Serge, who happens to be Sensibilité's lead singer. His wife is a rich English woman and their daughter is a young girl who was adopted from Vietnam as part of Operation Babylift. Apparently, this cast of characters wasn't eclectic enough, so the author threw schizophrenia and alcoholism into the mix.
I didn't love any of the characters or find them wholly believable, but I enjoyed how they embodied the entire range of human emotion. The narrative jumps between different settings—sometimes this was an effective way to show the viewpoints of different characters, at other times it felt like a series of disjointed vignettes. I often felt like nothing significant was happening, the middle of the novel dragged on for far too long, and the denouement was hasty, contrived, and unsatisfying. This novel could have been a spectacular example of an immigrant story—it captured the conflicting balance between longing for connection to one's roots and the struggle to forge an identity in a new land—but it failed to leave a lasting impression on me.
There are two families central to the story. Rani is a first generation Canadian who grows up during the Quebecois Separatist Movement. Her father is proud to be a pioneering Indian immigrant to Canada, though her mother reluctantly left behind a life of tropical luxury in India. Rani herself does not feel she is Indian, nor does she belong with the Francophones or Anglos...but she is a devoted fan of Sensibilité, a folk rock group who sings fierce ballads of Quebec sovereignty. Later, Rani marries an Irishman she meets while backpacking in Europe, and they return to Quebec where they have two young daughters. The other family belongs to Serge, who happens to be Sensibilité's lead singer. His wife is a rich English woman and their daughter is a young girl who was adopted from Vietnam as part of Operation Babylift. Apparently, this cast of characters wasn't eclectic enough, so the author threw schizophrenia and alcoholism into the mix.
I didn't love any of the characters or find them wholly believable, but I enjoyed how they embodied the entire range of human emotion. The narrative jumps between different settings—sometimes this was an effective way to show the viewpoints of different characters, at other times it felt like a series of disjointed vignettes. I often felt like nothing significant was happening, the middle of the novel dragged on for far too long, and the denouement was hasty, contrived, and unsatisfying. This novel could have been a spectacular example of an immigrant story—it captured the conflicting balance between longing for connection to one's roots and the struggle to forge an identity in a new land—but it failed to leave a lasting impression on me.
January 12, 2023
A multi-layered novel about family, identity, culture and nationality. It begins with Sunil and Hima who defy taboos in pre-partition India to have a mixed marriage. They emigrate to Canada to forge a new life, which they do successfully up to a point, but eventually Sunil’s mental health begins to disintegrate. Their daughter has her own adjustments to make in Canadian society but issues of cultural heritage and family loyalty always impinge. There are so many themes and issues explored in this book – the Partition of India, independence for Quebec, international adoption, the legacy of Vietnam – but all are expertly and tightly woven together into a completely satisfactory whole. It’s a complex narrative but one told with insight and empathy. The feeling of being an outsider, of never quite finding one’s place in the prevailing culture is extremely well portrayed and I found this a moving and compelling read.
July 20, 2022
I loved this deeply nostalgic view of Quebec harkening back to the French love affair with the band Harmonium and the French nationalist movement through two failed referendums. The way the two protagonists’ lives intersect is brilliant. Both Rani and Melanie feel like outsiders as children of visible minorities. They become unlikely confidantes as their families unravel around them. There is nothing trite or predictable in Anand’s intimate portrayal of life in Montreal through three decades. Somehow, through every gorgeous detail, she made me feel very close to these characters. An enthralling read.
September 8, 2022
I read this on Kerry Clare's excellent recommendation and I just loved the hours I spent with these two families.
This is a story that jumps around in time and geography including the 1980 and 1995 Quebec sovereignty referendums and 1947 partition of India. It is told from multiple perspectives of the members of two families living in Montreal. It's tender and beautiful, about belonging and place, and about the families we get and those we choose. This isn't my usual read - it doesn't have a driving plot or obvious central crisis but the writing is just so good, the spaces so lived-in and real, and the characters so compelling, that I didn't want it to end.
This is a story that jumps around in time and geography including the 1980 and 1995 Quebec sovereignty referendums and 1947 partition of India. It is told from multiple perspectives of the members of two families living in Montreal. It's tender and beautiful, about belonging and place, and about the families we get and those we choose. This isn't my usual read - it doesn't have a driving plot or obvious central crisis but the writing is just so good, the spaces so lived-in and real, and the characters so compelling, that I didn't want it to end.
January 16, 2024
Un roman en anglais abordant de manière non divisif et honnête les enjeux culturels et identitaires en lien avec le nationalisme. Construction intéressante des personnages et du récit. Des bouts intéressants de la vie pré-immigration, reconnaissance des défis et contributions des immigrants aussi. Un roman à lire pour comprendre le point de vue / vécu des anglophones sur l’enjeu nationaliste et référendaire.
Une fois rendue à la moitié du livre, j’avais de la difficulté à le terminer, d’où le temps associé à la lecture du roman. Je pense que c’est en lien avec le style d’écriture et les allers-retours dans la vie des personnages.
Une fois rendue à la moitié du livre, j’avais de la difficulté à le terminer, d’où le temps associé à la lecture du roman. Je pense que c’est en lien avec le style d’écriture et les allers-retours dans la vie des personnages.
December 2, 2024
3,5/5
J'ai aimé l'histoire, les thèmes abordés m'ont fait réfléchir au sujet de l'appartenance culturelle et familiale. Par contre, j'ai trouvé qu'il y avait certaines longueurs. Les descriptions sont complètes et détaillées, j'avais un portrait clair des lieux et des personnages. Je trouve que c'est un point fort de ce roman. Aussi, j'ai aimé la narration partagée entre les différents personnages. Cette alternance, m'a rapproché davantage des émotions vécues par les personnages. Une bonne lecture, mais trop allongée selon moi.
J'ai aimé l'histoire, les thèmes abordés m'ont fait réfléchir au sujet de l'appartenance culturelle et familiale. Par contre, j'ai trouvé qu'il y avait certaines longueurs. Les descriptions sont complètes et détaillées, j'avais un portrait clair des lieux et des personnages. Je trouve que c'est un point fort de ce roman. Aussi, j'ai aimé la narration partagée entre les différents personnages. Cette alternance, m'a rapproché davantage des émotions vécues par les personnages. Une bonne lecture, mais trop allongée selon moi.
February 20, 2023
Two referendums in Quebec, partition and the bloodbath that followed in India, Operation Baby lift and its repercussions from Vietnam. These are what the characters in 'A Convergence of Solitudes' go through in Anita Anand's novel. She has done a good job of connecting the characters and portrayed their angst very well.
June 28, 2023
This novel (an Evergreen Nominee for 2023, Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Program) tells the story of a couple who leave India during Partition and that of their daughter. It's beautifully written tho a little messy at times as the story weaves in & out of the lives of the various characters, Quebec politics, family issues, much like real life.
May 17, 2022
I love books that bring multiple viewpoints, periods of time and historical references together, and A Convergence of Solitudes did just that!
A Convergence of Solitudes follows three families - Sunil & Hima, two teenagers growing up in Partition India; Rani (Sunil & Hima's daughter) who struggles with her Canadian identity as a dedicated Quebecer; and Mel, a Vietnamese girl adopted during Operation Babylift, by a famous musician father and British mother. A current of connectivity runs through each of their stories - the thread of belonging, what truly defines family, and what cultural freedom truly means. I found Sunil and Hima's story the most compelling, but when viewing them through Rani's eyes, felt a new layer about what immigrant parents must do for their children. Similarly, Rani felt like a headstrong, brave feminist, but when viewed by Mel, we could see some of the troubling realities of her family life.
This is DEFINITELY a character driven novel, and with the exception of two brief plot focused moments, it really is a glimpse at the lives of various states of these human beings. Despite the transcendent them of belonging, I found Mel's storyline the most disconnected from the other two, and found myself struggling to get through to the end of this one. I loved the glimpse at Quebec culture and the unflinching reality of the mental health of Sunil, but I would have liked if there was a little more plot to round this out.
A Convergence of Solitudes follows three families - Sunil & Hima, two teenagers growing up in Partition India; Rani (Sunil & Hima's daughter) who struggles with her Canadian identity as a dedicated Quebecer; and Mel, a Vietnamese girl adopted during Operation Babylift, by a famous musician father and British mother. A current of connectivity runs through each of their stories - the thread of belonging, what truly defines family, and what cultural freedom truly means. I found Sunil and Hima's story the most compelling, but when viewing them through Rani's eyes, felt a new layer about what immigrant parents must do for their children. Similarly, Rani felt like a headstrong, brave feminist, but when viewed by Mel, we could see some of the troubling realities of her family life.
This is DEFINITELY a character driven novel, and with the exception of two brief plot focused moments, it really is a glimpse at the lives of various states of these human beings. Despite the transcendent them of belonging, I found Mel's storyline the most disconnected from the other two, and found myself struggling to get through to the end of this one. I loved the glimpse at Quebec culture and the unflinching reality of the mental health of Sunil, but I would have liked if there was a little more plot to round this out.
December 17, 2023
The book has very moving themes in line of family dynamics, cultural and geographical ties , sense of identity and belonging is beautifully portrayed throughout the book.
Finding a friend amidst all of these complexities does provide convergence of lone souls
Finding a friend amidst all of these complexities does provide convergence of lone souls
July 21, 2024
Le Québec en fiction dans toute sa modernité interculturelle. Quand une famille d’immigrants indiens de première et deuxième génération rencontre le pastiche de Serge Fiori en parallèle avec les deux référendums perdus et une jeune femme en recherche de son identité, ça donne un excellent roman.
October 6, 2025
3,5 ⭐ J'ai trouvé les thèmes intéressants, mais je suis d'avis qu'ils auraient pu être développés davantage. Par bouts, le récit est un peu stagnant. Sinon, belle écriture et contente de l'avoir lu malgré tout.
April 29, 2022
A really enjoyable read that focuses on two young people who defy their familes in a divided society to be with each other. I couldn't put this book down and I have taken it to my heart.
April 1, 2023
Anand is an incredible storyteller. The depth of the characters, intersection of cultures, history, and passage of time makes for an enjoyable and thoughtful read. Highly recommend!
September 30, 2023
A very enjoyable read. The Quebec and Indian historical aspects of the story.
December 24, 2023
What a great story. I did want the expected ending that never quite tied the stories together.
August 1, 2024
Excellent!!!
August 2, 2024
J’ai bien aimé l’histoire et les personnages mais il me semble qu’il y avait quelques longueurs.
September 27, 2024
Les personnages sont super attachants !
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September 30, 2024Pas terminé, je n'ai pas accroché du tout, donc pas de note. J'apprécie le style de l'auteure cependant.
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