Well-Behaved Indian Women by Saumya Dave

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From a compelling new voice in women's fiction comes a mother-daughter story about three generations of women who struggle to define themselves as they pursue their dreams.

Simran Mehta has always felt harshly judged by her mother, Nandini, especially when it comes to her little "writing hobby." But when a charismatic and highly respected journalist careens into Simran's life, she begins to question not only her future as a psychologist, but her engagement to her high school sweetheart.

Nandini Mehta has strived to create an easy life for her children in America. From dealing with her husband's demanding family to the casual racism of her patients, everything Nandini has endured has been for her children's sake. It isn't until an old colleague makes her a life-changing offer that Nandini realizes she's spent so much time focusing on being the Perfect Indian Woman, she's let herself slip away.

Mimi Kadakia failed her daughter, Nandini, in ways she'll never be able to fix---or forget. But with her granddaughter, she has the chance to be supportive and offer help when it's needed. As life begins to pull Nandini and Simran apart, Mimi is determined to be the bridge that keeps them connected, even as she carries her own secret burden

Source: ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review


This is a compelling story about three generations of women who dealt with or are currently dealing with life in different ways. Nandini as matriarch of her family, feels the responsibility and pressure of making sure her daughter, Simran has a good life ahead of her. That means making sure she's marrying the right man and following all the family and religious traditions.  Simran has been with her fiance since they were in high school and strongly feels that he's 'the one'. While they're both facing stressful careers ahead, they're also committed to making their relationship work. Then Simran meets a journalist at a book signing who not only shares her love of books and writing but encourages her to look into it as a career. Everything that Simran has built her life around so far all of a sudden feels off to her. She begins questioning what she really wants and what's expected. This draws her into direct conflict with her mother who demands excellence and commitment. Nandini has always subscribed to putting family ahead of her own dreams so while she recognizes something of herself in Simran, she's hesitant to encourage Simran to be so reckless as she sees it.

This was hard for me at times. I couldn't help but get irritated every time outrageous expectations were placed on either Simran or Nandini. A lot of it has to do with some warped patriarchal thinking about what women can and should be allowed to do. A lot of it generational or cultural. Then there's the whole not wanting to care about what others think of them but then being painfully mindful of what the community does think about them. I am familiar with a lot of the sentiments conveyed in this novel (having lived some of it) which is why it was so hard on me. But what I do appreciate is how Simran and Nandini come in to their own and expand their perspectives. While mother and daughter might not come to a full understanding of each other, they do come to some sort of truce and it's a hard fought for one. What's important here is that these two women fight for what they believe in even if it means ruffling feathers and upsetting the status quo. They do so knowing that they can't be truly happy until they speak up and step outside the confines of their worlds.

Simran's grandmother, Mimi doesn't figure as prominently but she is a pivotal piece that helps to bridge the gap between her daughter and granddaughter. Call it a blessing of a long life but she has had the time to reflect on events to become the sensitive sounding board to Simran and Nandini, giving them the emotional support and nudge they need to come back to each other. She is easily one of the most precious women ever. 

Reading Well-Behaved Indian Women means getting your heart squeezed and wrung out a good number of times but by the end you're wrapped in a warm blanket that lets you know everything will be all right. I was glad to see this mother-daughter duo find their strengthand voice to demand that they can also be happy!

~ Bel