The Bride Wore Red

Rating:
Summary: Misunderstandings
Review: The Bride Wore Red is full of misconceptions and barely disguised racism. The author obviously feels superior to the Indians she is writting about. I am not sure whether she is attempting to be funny or if her experiences were really so aweful that she could not write about any positive aspects to the culture. I am amazed that she is actually married to an Indian man. I purchased this book because I specifically wanted to read about Indian-American marriages and relationships. I don't feel like I did. She wrapped herself around every stereotype I have ever heard about Indians. I'm shocked she didn't have the audacity to name one of her characters 'Abu'. She missed the simplest of Indian traits- both in terms of personalities and in terminology. Not once did she mention the term "Auntie" which Indians use as a term of respect for older women. My analysis of that would be because she herself lacks resepect for the role of women in Indian society. I would never suggest this book to anyone. It's misunderstandings leave one feeling like there are few, if any, redeeming qualities to Indians.

Rating:
Summary: Kind of disappointing
Review: This book seems to have a certain ambition, but comes up short. I wanted to learn more about what it is like for an Indian Woman to experience the racism of the West, but instead I got simplistic and peculiar attempts at narrative "ambiguity". Not that this is a worthless attempt, but I hope the writer will create something better next time.

Rating:
Summary: Stereotypical and Racist
Review: While the structure of this "novel" is interesting, it abounds with racial and racist stereotypes. Clearly, there is nothing redemptive about Indians or being Indian. The "American" (read "white") characters are consistently supercilious and incapable of generating any empathy from the reader. The author needs to desperately hone her understanding of India, Indians and Indian-Americans.