Appetite
Fiction
She Writes Press
May 17, 2016
Paperback
326
Publisher via BookSparks
When Jenn Adler returns from a year in India, she has a surprise for her parents: a young guru from Bangalore whom she intends to marry. Her father, Paul, is wary of this beggar Jenn has brought home who, he suspects, is conning his much-loved daughter while her mother, Maggie, is frightened that this alien stranger will steal away her only child, her focus in life. In the months leading up to the backyard wedding, Maggie is forced to reevaluate her virtues as she casts about for support, and Paul faces an unexpected threat at work, one that Maggie could help him meet, if he would only ask. But even with these distractions, the two parents are focused on one primary question: Can they convince their daughter she is making a terrible mistake before the wedding takes place?
My review:
Good book with an interesting premise. What to do if you are not sure about your child's impending marriage, specifically if you think their intended does not "fit the bill"? Well written, if a bit plodding at times, this was essentially about the fallout of a family when one event (in this case an impending marriage) tips the balance. The characters were all believable, and well drawn. I could relate to their issues, although I wasn't particularly enamored with any of them. At first the title confused me, since this doesn't have much to do with food or eating, but then I realized that it's more of a play on words for what each character needs.......essentially their appetites in life. It was very interesting to watch the progression of each character as the book wore on. How far should we go when we disagree, and when is it time to step back and let the chips fall where they may? One of my small issues with the book was that there was some infidelity, which I'm honestly not a fan of except under certain circumstances (that I felt weren't really warranted in this particular book).
Interesting idea, with a good message about our appetites in life. Overall a good first attempt by the author. I'll be interested to see what she comes up with next.
This book is part of the May summer reading challenge by BookSparks. Click on the link to learn how you can participate.
An interesting premise for a book - and a really thoughtful review.