A Great Country: A Novel by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

"A Great Country" is a poignant exploration of the Shah family's pursuit of the American Dream in Pacific Hills, California. As immigrants, the Shah parents see their move to a gated community as the culmination of years of hard work. However, for their American-born children, success is more complex.

When their twelve-year-old son is arrested one Saturday night, it sets off a chain of events that forces each family member to reassess their identity and place in American society. Themes of immigration, generational conflict, and social class come to the forefront as the Shah family grapples with questions of ambition, success, and cultural identity.

With echoes of novels like "The Vanishing Half" and "Such a Fun Age," "A Great Country" delves into the complexities of the immigrant experience and challenges the notion of the model minority. Through the lens of the Shah family, readers are invited to reconsider the price of the American Dream and the responsibilities that come with it.

Through richly layered storytelling, the novel offers a nuanced portrayal of the hopes, dreams, and fears that accompany being 'other' in modern America. It's a deeply moving exploration of family dynamics, cultural assimilation, and the pursuit of happiness in a society marked by privilege and inequality. Ashley Audrain, bestselling author of "The Push" and "The Whispers," praises it as a compelling portrait of contemporary America's struggles and triumphs. ❤️📚❤️