I had high hopes for this, but sadly I found it to be just okay. As with so many short stories that I find disappointing, I thought many of these short stories were just very underwhelming. They weren't poorly written or plotted, per se, but I didn't really see the point to many of them, which made them feel very anti-climactic to me. I wouldn't not recommend this if you're interested, but it just personally wasn't for me.

These stories were so well-written and powerful. As a whole, this collection explores the immigrant experience and how South Indian women navigate varying issues. My absolute favorite (and really one of the best short stories I've read in a while) was "Nature Exchange," which touches on the tragedy of a shooting. I sobbed at the end. Others I enjoyed were "Malliga Homes" about a widowed woman who waits for her daughter to visit from her home in America. All in all this collection does a wonderful job exploring a very specific experience--immigrating from South India--through the lens of broad issues experienced by all. I really liked this one and look forward to more from Bhanoo.

I was delighted to include this dazzling book of short stories March’s edition of Novel Encounters, my regular column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for Zoomer magazine. (at link)

A gorgeous strong collection of 8 stories largely about South Indian women both at home and abroad. Bhanoo explores the gaps and intersections these women (and a man) face - with their children, their spouses, and themselves. The language is gorgeous, the situations relatable. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Short story fans should pick this one up immediately.

From the beautiful cover to the astonishing collection of stories .and I was totally swept into the lives the stories of these South Indian women.Each story was a gem .A debut collection of powerful moving emotional lives an author to follow. &i I will be recommending excellent for book club discussions.#netgalley #catapult

Thank you to Catapult Press for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Available Feb 2022

Sindya Bhanoo's Seeking Fortune Elsewhere is an intimate look into contemporary South Indian American women's lives. Her characters and plot lines are remarkably lifelike and honest. This collection feels like the stories of my family, the stories of my aunts and classmates and cousins. Bhanoo captures the complexities of our lived experiences and creates a resonant, wonderful patchwork that can be returned to again and again. A wonderful debut.