Synopses & Reviews
IN THIS POIGNANT AND BREATHTAKING DEBUT, ONE MAN SEARCHES FOR MEANING IN THE WAKE OF INCOMPARABLE TRAGEDY
Karom Seth should have been in the Twin Towers on the morning of 9/11, and on the Indian shores in 2004, when the tsunami swept his entire family into the ocean. Whether it's a curse or a blessing, Karom can't be sure, but his absence from these disasters has left him with crushing guiltand a belief that fate has singled him out for invincibility.
Karom's affliction consumes everyone around him, from his best friend, Lloyd, to his girlfriend, Gita, who hopes that a trip to India will help him find peace. It is in Delhi that he meets Gita's grandmother, Kaminia quirky but wise woman with secrets of her own. At first Karom dismisses Kamini, but little does he realize that she will ultimately lead him to the clarity he's been looking for.
Spanning the globe from New York to India, Where Earth Meets Water is a stunning portrait of a quest for human understanding, and a wise exploration of grief, survival and love in all its forms.
Review
"Smart and insightful. A worthy addition to the burgeoning field of new Indian literature."
-Gary Shteyngart, author of Absurdistan and Little Failure: A Memoir
Review
"Padukone offers a gripping tale of one man's haunting sorrows, the wounds that bind a people, and the redemptive power of love. An unforgettable debut by a very promising young writer."
-Patricia Engel, author of It's Not Love, It's Just Paris and Vida
Review
"Pia Padukone adeptly captures the aspirations and heartbreak of her engaging characters."
-Manil Suri, author of The City of Devi
Review
"Padukone has created a rich cast of unforgettable characters....Her debut novel demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of the cultures of both America and India, a sense of the world as a powerful places, and the redeeming values of adoration and belief in the person you love. A powerful read for those who enjoy beautifully written multi-cultural fiction."
-Library Journal
Review
"[Where Earth Meets Water] is compelling as [Padukone] writes with grace and wit about grief, moving on, and accepting love."
-Booklist
Review
"[Where Earth Meets Water] has an elegance that defies the bread-crumb trail Padukone leaves for readers...this story of learning to love what you have should not be missed."
-RT Book Reviews
About the Author
Pia Padukone was born, raised and continues to live in New York City. A graduate of Stuyvesant High School and the London School of Economics, Pia has worked as a copywriter in healthcare advertising. In their spare time, Pia and her husband write Two Admirable Pleasures, a blog that combines their shared passions for books and the culinary dishes that are inspired by them. Pia debuts with Where Earth Meets Water and is working on her second novel.