3 Culturally Diverse Books - Namaste From Ananya

Sometimes we just want to read a book that we can relate to.One in which we can hear our own stories being told and know that we are not alone.This, is what I struggled with, growing up.

The Western Side

Identifying as a book-worm from a young age, I immersed myself in reading but just couldn’t find cross-cultural books about Indian families. I went through a phase of reading teenage girl literature but still only could relate to the Western part of me as no one seemed to be writing such stories from a cross-cultural background.

The Pure Indian Side

Each summer, when I went to India, I would immerse myself in Indian modern literature (Chetan Bhagat is a great recent example & I have devoured his books in the past but this was only in the last 10 years – at the time, I just couldn’t find the type of book I was looking for that was right for my own personal experiences at the time).

Even before that though...

Something Was Missing

However it was the ‘cross-cultural’ aspects that I found missing in my childhood. These are the 3 I found in my late teenage years that cover the Western-Indian experience. (and even then – the American-Indian) experience.

[It was only later that I discovered: Brick Lane & Meera Syal – the British perspectives]

Though they’re predominantly from American-Born/Indian-Born-American Emigrants* reading these helped me feel less alone navigating my own cultural fusion experience.

These are the ones I still turn to for easy-comfort reading & the ones I want to share with you today.

Born confused

Gist:

Dimple – doesn’t know where she fits in – American and Indian. And has a non-Indian best friend. It tackles feelings of inadequacy, unworthiness and cultural dilemma: Of wanting to fit in yet also realizing, India was at the essence of her being.

This is one of the first books I found in this genre when I was around: 13/14 –

Some things were different, some things very similar but I could definitely relate.

The Hindi Bindi club

This was the very first book I found where I knew the author understood; had taken time to research Kolkata and described it so beautifully its contrasts, its beauty as well as Bengali sub-culture.

I love the mix of sub-culture references and I, personally, felt understood from the Bengali culture. Up until then, where I grew up had very few Indians, let alone Bengalis.

All Indians were grouped together but reading The Hindi Bindi Club – I felt understood as a Bengali girl, growing up, trying to make sense of the extended/joint family dynamic both here in the UK as well as in India.

Gist:

3 daughters, 3 mothers – stories that intertwine and I remember loving it at the time and now.
I grew up reading a lot of non-Asian centred literature – teenage romances – this I could totally resonate with. It’s written so beautifully, with an eloquent understanding of cultural expectations within each generation but executes it uniquely.
There are SO many issues that are tackled here: depression, cancer, the relationship between mother and daughter – afterlife, India’s holocaust: Partition – which so often gets neglected.
This is one of my comfort reads – I first read it when I was 16/17 and I still turn to it as one of my favourite comfort reads. So relatable and every time I read it, more insightful.
If you want a book that understands a multitude of stories from across Indian sub-cultures then I’d recommend. Though this covers A LOT of ground, it does so in an amusing and light-hearted. Some will argue it ties up loose ends too easily.
At 17, this is what I wanted. A fictionional story; chick-lit if you like, with cultural insight and depth. Years on, I still love it.

The Namesake

Jhumpa Lahiri’s writing is poetic, elegant and stays with you. I’ve had non-Indian friends recommend me books without prior endorsement – and for that reason alone, I would definitely say her writing may appeal to the wider masses.

She was the first Western-Indian Bengali writer, that I came across and until I found her – I didn’t realise what I had been missing.

You may also have seen The Namesake was made into a film.

Both, I’d recommend for their evocative nature.

Lahiri’s writing evokes strong poignancy:

Indian ladies in western countries in their beautiful saris, bundled under a thousand winter layers and either trainers or socks with their Indian chappal sandals.

Just one example of a description that instantly conjure up a multitude of emotions and thoughts regarding diaspora, immigration and cultural identity.

Are there are any books that you wished you’d seen growing up?

Are you Asian and read some other books that stuck with you?

I’d love to hear! Let me know,

3 Culturally Diverse Books That Talk About The East Meets West Experience