Rating: 
Summary: Politically Incorrect!
Review: I was intrigued by the italicized opening chapter which told the story of Tara Lata, the tree bride, several generations before the main character's story began. Subsequently I felt that the story didn't connect with historical account of Tara Lata's life, despite the fact that the book began and ended with accounts from Tara Lata's martyred life. I didn't understand why Mukherjee was trying to create a parallel between the main character Tara and the historical Tara Lata. As a story, the events and the underlying plot were interesting, but lack of character development and overly fussy details where they weren't required, ruined the flow of the story. Mukherjee seems highly opinionated about everything and unfortunately this came through in the book. More unfortunately, she seems highly negatively opinionated towards everything non-Bengali and non-Brahmin, and I was rather disgusted after reading her blatantly prejudiced opinions:
"...and some were slightly ridiculous, like Mahatma Gandhi..." [without really explaining where this is coming from, since it isn't a universal opinion of Gandhi]
"Proud Bengalis, we hated Mahatma Gandhi, that worm of a Gujarati."
"To be a native-born Calcuttan was (and is) to be a Londoner, a Parisian, a New Yorker, at the zenith."
"The world didn't know it yet (it does now, with all the Bengali Miss Worlds and Miss Universes)..." [There has been but one Bengali Miss World/Miss Universe]
"We are Bengali Brahmins from Calcutta, and nothing can touch us."
The book seems to be written more with this attitude and trying to get it across to people than developing the characters and allowing the reader to like or dislike them and giving the story a smooth flow. In other parts of the book I sensed a bitchy-socialite attitude, and wherever other immigrant Indians were mentioned, as the main character was now in the U.S., they were differentiated by being either Bengali or non-Bengali. I wish I could judge the book exclusively by strength and creativity of story and characters, but the writing style and the elitist attitudes just get in the way!
Rating:
Summary: Silly story with annoying characters
Review: I was rather disappointed by this book by Bharati Mukherjee. I found the plot to be melodramatic and contrived. Not that a billionaire wouldn't be the target of scams and violence, but somehow in this story, it didn't ring true. The fact that no one in Tara's life was the least bit concerned by the appearance of the shady stranger, Chris, seems unbelievable. It's almost as though no one cared that Tara might be hurt.Being of Indian origin, I have known many Indian mothers in my time, and I know that very few of them would stand for Rabi's condescending and contemptful way of talking to Tara as passively as she did. Also, I understand Tara's desire to be modern and open-minded, but the fact that she accepted her son's homosexuality so calmly, without a single thought as to how other Indians would view him, is completely unrealistic. Even if she herself were "cool" enough to handle the fact, she would know other Indians, including her parents and sisters, would not be. The society is not tolerant that way. What kind of long-term boyfriend leaves after two weeks of discontentment? I was very disappointed by Andy's actions but have to admit, I was glad when Bish reentered Tara's life. Sadly, he was the character I liked the best, and we saw the least of him! The story had a lot of potential, but it was hard to care about Tara, since she changed her mind with the direction of the wind. In addition, she seemed very weak and uncertain of herself and her desires. This does not necessarily make for a bad character, but I found myself unable to sympathize very deeply with Tara. I could relate to Tara's didi Padma much more, although her superficiality made her hard to like. She represents the Indian desire to have it all while refusing to acknowledge that there might be any other way of life. I've known many like that in real life. Parvati's devotion to her dogs was nothing short of incredible; she didn't even care when they attacked her nephew! Unfortunately, I've also met people like that. The story is readable, if you will, and it does provide some insight into Bengali life. It even has its amusing moments, but I can't say I loved it. I'm not even sure I liked it.
Rating:
Summary: Silly story with annoying characters
Review: I was rather disappointed by this book by Bharati Mukherjee. I found the plot to be melodramatic and contrived. Not that a billionaire wouldn't be the target of scams and violence, but somehow in this story, it didn't ring true. The fact that no one in Tara's life was the least bit concerned by the appearance of the shady stranger, Chris, seems unbelievable. It's almost as though no one cared that Tara might be hurt. Being of Indian origin, I have known many Indian mothers in my time, and I know that not one of them would stand for Rabi's condescending and contemptful way of talking to Tara. Also, I understand Tara's desire to be modern and open-minded, but the fact that she accepted her son's homosexuality so calmly, without a single thought as to how other Indians would view him, is completely unrealistic. Even if she herself were "cool" enough to handle the fact, she would know other Indians, including her parents and sisters, would not be. The society is not tolerant that way. What kind of long-term boyfriend leaves after two weeks of discontentment? I was very disappointed by Andy's actions but have to admit, I was glad when Bish reentered Tara's life. Sadly, he was the character I liked the best, and we saw the least of him! The story had a lot of potential, but it was hard to care about Tara, since she changed her mind with the direction of the wind. In addition, she seemed very weak and uncertain of herself and her desires. This does not necessarily make for a bad character, but I found myself unable to sympathize very deeply with Tara. I could relate to Tara's didi Padma much more, although her superficiality made her hard to like. She represents the Indian desire to have it all while refusing to acknowledge that there might be any other way of life. I've known many like that in real life. Parvati's devotion to her dogs was nothing short of incredible; she didn't even care when they attacked her nephew! Unfortunately, I've also met people like that. The story is readable, if you will, and it does provide some insight into Bengali life. It even has its amusing moments, but I can't say I loved it. I'm not even sure I liked it.
Rating: 
Summary: Pathetic
Review: I would have trashed it except for the fact that my boyfriend gifted it to me.
Rating: 
Summary: So - so
Review: Indian writers, especially women, seem to be all the rage now. I've read several of Ms. Mukhergee's books, and she seems like a very interesting person that I would like to sit and talk with but her books are not that great. This book seems another 'Jasmine' in a way, what with the 'American experience', relationships ending, bombs going off. Maybe it's me but I did not follow the significance of the girl marrying the tree or whatever. I was disappointed. If anyone wants a great Indian novel read 'Train to Pakistan' by Khushwant Singh.
Rating:
Summary: Underwhelming, Over-Hyped
Review: Like another reviewer, I heard the author on Fresh Air (npr), and was charmed by her. I rushed out to buy the book based on her interview and also on the book's strong reviews. About 30 pages in, I realized this was not insightful literary fiction, but somewhere in the Amy Tan-Anita Shreve constellation of "women's" fiction. Awkwardy written, obvious plot. A real disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: A new view
Review: Mukherjee does for Indian literature what RG Verma has done for Indian film. Hurray at last is all I can say.
Rating:
Summary: Lifestyles of the Rich and Xenophobic
Review: Read this book if you: 1. Want to understand why the expatriate Brahmin community is so closed; 2. Are an American man chasing a Brahmin woman and can't figure out why it's not working; or 3. You're an expatriate Brahmin woman and you want to know why your American acquaintances think you're so difficult. The author's language is relatively laconic rather than lyrical or profound and the plot is banal. Don't look for philosophical insights or subtle twists of manner. This is more soap opera than Austen.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Read
Review: Since I'm not Indian, I can't say much about the history or authority of the characters, but I found this book truly captivating. It reads very fluidly, and kept me entranced throughout. The problems the heroine wrestles with are definitely something that gripped me, even though I do not actually share the culture or her particular situation. I thought it bridged the cultural gap very well, indeed.
Rating:
Summary: A rare and truly unforgettable novel
Review: Some books tell a good story. Some inform and illuminate, providing light and insight into the previously unknown. In Desirable Daughters, Ms. Mukherjee accomplishes these admirable ends and more in an intriguing tale of three sisters and the divergent paths their lives take in the wake of their privileged Brahmin beginnings. Reviews elsewhere on this page delve into the intricacies of plot, so there is no need to cover this ground again. Suffice it to say that the sudden appearance of a suspicious stranger into the storyteller's life serves as the catalyst for an unfolding series of events, encounters and recollections. Told from the point of view of Tara, the youngest sister, the narrative takes us from Calcutta to San Francisco to Bombay to Jackson Heights, the cultural, historic and geographic details rendered in vivid masterstrokes you will not soon forget. Highlights are many. The opening chapter (despite the irritating overuse of italics). Tara's visits with her sister in a luxury Bombay apartment that overlooks the Arabian Sea-and the terrifying baggage such a lifestyle engenders. The people, the shops and the interplay among the Indian community of Queens. And the unshakeable sense of impending horror Mukherjee deftly weaves throughout the text. One of the blurbs on the dust jacket comes from Amy Tan. It is easy to understand the reasoning behind the choice, for those who enjoy her work are likely to find much the same pleasure in Bharati Mukherjee and Desirable Daughters. Buy it. Read it. Enjoy it. And be prepared to savor it for a very long time to come.
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