The World We Found
by Thrity Umrigar
Below is a summation of the members' reactions to this work.
February’s book
selection is The World We Found by
Thrity Umrigar. This novel focuses on
four women living in modern Bombay and recalling their youth and college days together.
Over the years, Armaiti, Kavita, Laleh, and
Nishta lose touch because life gets in the way.
Now Armaiti is living in America with her family and she is dying from a
brain tumor. Armaiti’s last wish is to see
all her friends again.
The World We Found receives unanimous praise from the group. The majority will recommend this novel because
of the great characterization Umrigar provides the reader. The story is touching and real because we all
have friends we slowly lost touch with and know the feeling of being reunited.
Most of our discussions
led back to Iqbal and Nishta's relationship. Many could not understand
the reasoning behind Nishta's acquiescence to Iqbal's wishes. How could
such a strong woman slowly lose herself and follow all of Iqbal's orders?
We all agree losing touch with Armaiti, Kavita, Laleh, did not help Nishta and could
have made her feel even more isolated. Nishta slowly falls into the
routine of wearing a burka, feeding her mother-in-law, living in a rundown
apartment in the Muslim part of town, and being unhappy. We are all surprised at Umrigar's explanation
of wearing a burka. The feeling of claustrophobia and not being able to
see what was happening around you sounds terrifying.
Armaiti’s tumor lead us
to share our cancer stories. The
majority of the group has been touched by cancer in some way through family and
friends. We could all emphasize with the
friends in this novel wanting to be together again. Most agree the story would have felt better
if Armaiti spoke with Diane, her daughter, about why she did not want
treatment and her conflicted feelings about dying. We have so much more to discuss, but ran out
of time.
Thanks
to all the members for making me feel so welcome and part of the group. I look forward to our monthly meetings and
the terrific discussions!
