Family Life by Akhil Sharma

As I was reading this book I was wondering why it was labeled "fiction" when it so obviously read like an autobiography. I couldn't believe it wasn't an autobiography. So, I was not surprised when reading the author's comments in the interview at the back of the book to hear that almost everything in the book was true. I also understand why Akhil Sharma labeled it "fiction". It gives an author room for flexibility in conversations and timing of events.

I found the book quite depressing, to be honest. I really didn't like Ajay that much. He definitely had a lot of good qualities. He took care of his brother tirelessly. He helped his mother endlessly. He was an obedient son. He seemed to love Birju and both of his parents, despite their faults (his mother constantly berating him and his father's drunkenness). Ajay had a lot going against him and he continued to help out at home, study hard and be successful. But....I just didn't get him! He was just so odd. I understand that we were "hearing" his private thoughts, and most of us think things at times that we wouldn't want "voiced", but he was too odd for me to relate to on most levels. 

I don't know what it's like to be an immigrant, and I don't know what it's like to be Indian. Their culture is certainly different than mine. I didn't have a difficult time accepting the differences in cultures and beliefs about religion or family. I just didn't understand what Ajay's personal motives were when he constantly bragged about how smart Birju was before his accident; his reporting of the intimate details of his brother's care to his classmates; his telling girls he barely knew that he loved them (isn't that considered harassment?!); his bragging about his own achievements as he got older. He just came across as an unlikeable person to me. He really needs to work on his approach to others! The synopsis about the author on the back of the book doesn't mention that he is married. That would not surprise me. He almost used the same approach towards classmates and girls as someone on the autism spectrum would - lacking in social graces.

There was very little in this book to feel good about: Ajay's parents constantly screaming at each other; his dad's alcoholism; Birju's accident. To me, it just came across as a depressing novel portraying unhappy people dealing with tragic circumstances in an unhealthy manner. Yikes! When is the sequel coming? ;)

Wendy's Rating: ***1/2