Three friends. Three different lives. And an unbreakable friendship that would stand the test of time. From the bustling bazaars of Hyderabad to the shores of the Arabian Sea, sixteen-year-old Kate McKenna explores the wondrous terrain of India and Pakistan while accompanying her childhood friends, Nasreen, a Muslim-American, and Krishna, a Hindu-American, as they visit extended family. On their journey, they join a circle of mothers, daughters, and cousins observing the rituals of an arranged marriage, Kate becomes aware of her own sensuality and feminine maturity, and her friends deal with the pressures of their families and cultures. A decade later, Kate reflects on her experiences with spiritual nostalgia as she struggles to find meaning in her life and grapples with life-changing secrets that Nasreen and Krishna harbor. As truths are revealed and hidden pains exposed, the three women's bonds to each other are both tested and affirmed as Kate comes to understand what she truly wants for herself.
"Kate's search for a meaningful life carries readers right to the end, and Malany beautifully depicts cultural landmarks and traditions, interweaving her familiarity with Asia throughout. . . For readers planning to travel in India, this narrative serves as an enjoyable guide. . . A pleasant read filled with generally credible characters and richly depicted settings."
BlueInk Reviews
"Malany writes in a lush, detailed prose. . . The friendship of Kate, Nasreen, and Krishna is well drawn and genuinely affecting. [An] engaging tale of cross-cultural bonds."
