The Invitation Audiobook By Anne Cherian cover art

The Invitation

A Novel

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The Invitation

By: Anne Cherian
Narrated by: Sanjiv Jhaveri
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About this listen

A moving story that redefines the meaning of family, friendship, and success among a group of first-generation Indian immigrants.

When Vikram invites three of his college friends to his son’s graduation from MIT, they accept out of obligation and curiosity, viewing the party as a 25th reunion of sorts.

Village genius Vikram, now the founder of a lucrative computer company, is having the party against his son’s wishes. Frances and Jay regret accepting: Frances, a real estate agent, hasn't sold a house in a year; Jay’s middle-management job isn't bragworthy; and their daughter is failing the eleventh grade. Lali plans to hide the fact that her once-happy marriage is crumbling because her American husband is discovering his Jewish roots. Each had left UCLA expecting to be successful and have even more successful children. At Vikram’s Newport Beach mansion, the showmanship they anticipate dissolves as each is forced to deal with his or her own problems. The follow-up to A Good Indian Wife, Anne Cherian’s novel resonates with the poignancy of real life colliding with expectations unmet.

©2012 Anne Cherian (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction World Literature Marriage
All stars
Most relevant  
No need for immature children voices. Very distracting. Other voices were ok. Would have liked eldest daughters character developed

Overall good but children's voices were very annoying

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...it's a cliche-ridden tapestry of awfully believable folsk whose sole purpose is to try and resuscitate the listener with their Indian-American burden of success and privilege. More please!

If you can survive the fake and forced accents..

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What did you love best about The Invitation?

Very well written novel about family dynamics and the relationships for immigrants from India and their family members back in India as well as between generations. Cherian wonderfully illustrates how quickly views and attitudes can change with immigration to America and the conflicts that can arise.

Kept my interest throughout and was quite entertaining. Highly recommend!

Any additional comments?

The cadence of the reader, Sanjiv Jhaveri, was less than ideal but the voices were good

Interesting Novel

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