Synopses & Reviews
Frances, Jay, Lali, and Vikram meet as students at UCLA. They came to the United States from India, eager to achieve success and riches for themselves and their children. Frances and Jay marry; the rest separate after graduation. Twenty-five years later, Vikram invites his old friends to his mansion in Newport Beach to celebrate his son's graduation from MIT. As their reunion nears, Frances, Jay, Lali, and Vikram each must confront where life in America has taken them. Has America proved to be the land of their dreams? A novel of cultural contrasts and surprising revelations, The Invitation redefines the meaning of family, friendship, and true success among a generation of immigrants.
Review
"In Cherian's gorgeously embroidered tale, nothing turns out remotely like you'd expect. A-." Entertainment Weekly
Review
"Starred review. ...Cherian's straightforward storytelling is riveting and rarely goes amiss... and the climax is fervent." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Three dissatisfied couples, one fancy social event, and a long-held secret that sees the light of day make for a noteworthy party." Library Journal
Synopsis
It's been twenty-five years since Vic, Jay, Frances, and Lali arrived at UCLA from India. Now Vic is a successful computer entrepreneur whose son who is graduating from MIT, and he invites his long-lost friends to the celebration. As the day of the party approaches, the friends must confront where life in America has taken them. Frances and Jay were once the golden couple, but now their careers are flagging and their daughter is flunking out of high school. Lali's American husband is rediscovering his Jewish roots, and as she prepares to greet her old Indian friends she wonders whether she made the wrong decision so long ago.
Deeply felt and sharply drawn, The Invitation melds the comedy of manners with the sting of disillusionment among a generation of Indian immigrants and their children.
Synopsis
A moving story that redefines the meaning of family, friendship, and success among a group of first-generation Indian immigrants.
About the Author
Anne Cherian is the author of A Good Indian Wife. Born and raised in Jamshedpur, India, she now lives in Los Angeles, California.