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Mother Land

A Novel

Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
2 of 2 copies available

"Lively and evocative, Mother Land is a deftly crafted exploration of identity and culture, with memorable and deeply human characters who highlight how that which makes us different can ultimately unite us."—Amy Myerson, author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays and The Imperfects

From the critically acclaimed author of America for Beginners, a wonderfully insightful, witty, and heart-piercing novel, set in Mumbai, about an impulsive American woman, her headstrong Indian mother-in-law, and the unexpected twists and turns of life that bond them.
When Rachel Meyer, a thirtysomething foodie from New York, agrees to move to Mumbai with her Indian-born husband, Dhruv, she knows some culture shock is inevitable. Blessed with a curious mind and an independent spirit, Rachel is determined to learn her way around the hot, noisy, seemingly infinite metropolis she now calls home.

But the ex-pat American's sense of adventure is sorely tested when her mother-in-law, Swati, suddenly arrives from Kolkata—a thousand miles away—alone, with an even more shocking announcement: she's left her husband of more than forty years and moving in with them. Nothing the newlyweds say can budge the steadfast Swati, and as the days pass, it becomes clear she is here to stay—an uneasy situation that becomes more difficult when Dhruv is called away on business.

Suddenly these two strong-willed women from such very different backgrounds, who see life so differently, are alone together in a home that each is determined to run in her own way—a situation that ultimately brings into question the very things in their lives that had seemed perfect and permanent . . . with results neither of them expect.

Heartfelt, charming, deeply insightful and wise, Mother Land introduces us to two very different women from very different cultures . . . who maybe aren't so different after all.


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    • Publisher's Weekly

      May 25, 2020
      Franqui’s engaging outing (after America for Beginners) follows Rachel Meyer and husband Dhruv Aggarwal after their quick marriage and move from New York to Mumbai. Rachel’s struggles to adapt to life in India (she fails to pronounce basic Hindi words and cannot do the shopping) are compounded by her fierce independence, and she misses the convenience of her old life. After she discovers her mother-in-law, Swati, at their door, having left her home in Kolkata and her husband of 41 years, Rachel and Dhruv’s relationship begins to strain. Swati believes she can help Rachel understand India, and that in return the couple’s honeymoon glow will rub off on her. Meanwhile, Swati causes friction between the newlyweds by insisting a cleaning person come multiple times a day, and by hiring a cook despite Rachel’s interest in cooking. Rachel is aghast when Dhruv leaves her behind with Swati for a monthlong business trip. With Rachel’s encouragement, Swati adopts a modern clothing style, which increases her confidence and self-assertion when a man is sent to bring her back to Kolkata. While Rachel’s digressive, dishy narration and keen eye for cultural details contrast with her initial bumbling, Franqui smartly shows how Rachel recognizes her limits. The women’s credible learning from each other makes this a worthy tale of bridging a cultural divide. Agent: Julia Kardon, Hannigan Salky Getzler Agency.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      When a New York millennial marries an Indian-born financial analyst and moves to Mumbai, she faces not only culture shock, but also the harsh expectations of her new mother-in-law. Narrator Amy McFadden imbues Rachel with a touch of condescension as she struggles to adjust to India, followed by angry rebellion as Dhruv's mother, Swati, imposes her traditional ways on the household. The story unfolds in Swati's and Rachel's alternating points of view, with McFadden adopting a pleasing lilt for Swati's voice. Oddly, she reads Dhruv's dialogue without an accent, but his parts are less significant than his mother's. As the women begin to find common ground in the kitchen, McFadden's warmer tone helps to portray the development of mutual respect and friendship, despite the odds. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

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