From Ash to Ashes
by Krishma Arora
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Pub Date May 23 2023 | Archive Date May 24 2023
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Description
A tragedy in Mira Singh’s life has left her devastated and mourning. No one in her family knows how to confront the tragedy that befalls them, and they place the blame on each other, and even on God. Mira’s parents do not understand the struggles of their children. Having immigrated from India in 1984, the family have all faced discrimination because of their religious background and practices. Mira’s brother has faced the worst discrimination, and traumatized, he is estranged from the family.
Within this web of family tragedy and grief, forbidden love blooms in the hearts of the women in the story. Bitter- sweet romance, and a heart-wrenching tale of love lost, and love attained tease the senses. The clash between old world sanctity and the new western world’s temptations reveal the true test of character and strength in the family members. Each of them struggle not only to communicate with each other, but to understand each other’s perspectives, or to relate to their different relationships with American culture and society.
An exploration of assimilation and banishment, of the cost of difference and the value of family weave this powerful story together into a breathtaking novel of quiet beauty.
A Note From the Publisher
Krishma immigrated to the United States from India when she was five years old, and like Mira, the protagonist in her novel, grew up on Long Island and then attended NYU (graduate 2000). She is a poet, writer, and public speaker. For a few years, she was the author of “Free Spirit,” a monthly column in her hometown magazine, Brookville Living.
She lives in New York with her husband and four children, and began writing From Ash to Ashes seventeen years ago, after the death of her first child. His loss was the inspiration for her book, and she has dedicated it to his memory. In addition to From Ash to Ashes, she is also writing a collection of essays on womanhood and motherhood as seen through the eyes of a woman of color.
Advance Praise
"A complex depiction of a family in turmoil."
— Kirkus Reviews
“Arora’s writing is highly descriptive and evocative, with rich details about Indian culture and way of life. From a Sikh religious wedding to college romance, Arora has written a coming of age story, the difficult intersection of arriving and learning American ways, and the many complications of family secrets. I highly recommend this debut novel.”
— Cari Scribner, author of A Girl Like You and A Place Like This
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781627204262 |
| PRICE | $18.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 276 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Sonal D, Reviewer
The Singh family doesn't know how to move forward after tragedy strikes. Kamal and Harbans immigrated to the US in 1984, they struggled to raise their children in a new land while maintaining their cultural and religious morals and beliefs. Jazz, Ritu, Jeet, and Mira wrestle with their traditional upbringing and their desires to have freedom. Mira meets Dev at NYU and they fall in love, but Mira knows her strict Sikh parents will never accept a Hindu for her to marry. Ritu is stuck in a unhappy marriage. Jazz rebels against everything his parents want and is a huge disappointment to them. Jeet is studying to become a doctor, all he wants is to make his parents happy, but he is harboring a deep secret.
This book was emotional, bittersweet, and heartbreaking at times. Then there were times where it was just plain ridiculous and seemed like scenes from a Bollywood movie. The book is told from different perspectives, but mainly Mira's. It also goes back and forth between years. Sometimes it was hard to follow exactly what year the narrative is in because there will be a random memory thrown in. Every character's story had so much potential, but other than Mira's, I felt like I didn't get enough closure. They were all just rushed to end. There were also characters that were introduced, that I felt were important in the Singh's lives, who are not even mentioned at the end. I wish we had gotten to know all of the characters better. They were all so different and interesting in their own ways. Overall, I think it was a good book, but could have been so much better.
My thanks to Netgalley and the author for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Laura B, Reviewer
Like reading books about different cultures? Enjoy learning new things but in a fun, storytelling way? This novel is for you, then!
The main character, Mira had to deal with family trauma and her own life struggles being a college student in NYC with overbearing parents who struggle themselves with changing culture climates around them.
I really liked this book. It was interesting for me to read a fictional story about people in a different culture than mine.
This book is told from a narrator that keeps you on your toes, itching to find out what is going to happen in her life and in her family’s life. Though not a thriller, I’d say it is definitely a page-turner.
