America for Beginners

Recalling contemporary classics such as Americanah,Behold the Dreamersand The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Waoa funnypoignantand insightful debut novel that explores the complexities of familyimmigrationprejudiceand the American Dream through meaningful and unlikely friendships forged in unusual circumstances. Pival Sengupta has done something she never expected: she has booked a trip with the First Class India USA Destination Vacation Tour Company. But unlike other upper-class Indians on a foreign holidaythe recently widowed Pival is not interested in sightseeing. She is traveling thousands of miles from Kolkata to New York on a cross-country journey to Californiawhere she hopes to uncover the truth about her beloved sonRahi. A year ago Rahi devastated his very traditional parents when he told them he was gay. ThenPivalΓÇÖs husbandRamtold her that their son had died suddenlyΓÇöheartbreaking news she still refuses to accept. Nowwith Ram goneshe is going to America to find Rahialive and whole or dead and goneand come to terms with her own life. Arriving in New Yorkthe tour proves to be more complicated than anticipated. Planned by the companyΓÇÖs indefatigable ownerRonnie MunshiΓÇöa hard-working immigrant and entrepreneur hungry for his own taste of the American dreamΓÇöit is a work of haphazard improvisation. PivalΓÇÖs guide is the companyΓÇÖs new hirethe guileless and wonderfully resourceful Satyawho has been in America for one yearΓÇöand has never actually left the five boroughs. For modestyΓÇÖs sake Pival and Satya will be accompanied by Rebecca Elliotan aspiring young actress. Eager for a paying gigsheΓÇÖs along for the ridebecause how hard can a two-week \