Here We Are

American Dreams, American Nightmares (A Memoir)

By: Aarti Namdev Shahani

Narrated by: Aarti Namdev Shahani

Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

"This is simply a beautiful, moving memoir read exceptionally well by Shahani." (AudioFile Magazine)

This program is read by the author.

Here We Are is a heart-wrenching memoir about an immigrant family's American dream, the justice system that took it away, and the daughter who fought to get it back, from NPR correspondent Aarti Namdev Shahani.

The Shahanis came to Queens - from India, by way of Casablanca - in the 1980s. They were undocumented for a few unsteady years, and then, with the arrival of their green cards, they thought they'd made it. This is the story of how they did, and didn't; the unforeseen obstacles that propelled them into years of disillusionment and heartbreak; and the strength of a family determined to stay together.

Here We Are: American Dreams, American Nightmares follows the lives of Aarti, the precocious scholarship kid at one of Manhattan's most elite prep schools, and her dad, the shopkeeper who mistakenly sells watches and calculators to the notorious Cali drug cartel. Together, the two represent the extremes that coexist in our country, even within a single family, and a truth about immigrants that gets lost in the headlines. It isn’t a matter of good or evil; it's complicated.

Ultimately, Here We Are is a coming-of-age story, a love letter from an outspoken modern daughter to her soft-spoken Old World father. She never expected they'd become best friends.

©2019 Aarti Namdev Shahani (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

2019 Library Journal Best Books of the Year  

"This is simply a beautiful, moving memoir read exceptionally well by Shahani, a reporter for NPR.... Shahani does a wonderful job telling her family's story - including seamlessly shifting between English and the multiple languages her family speaks. This is a gripping memoir of struggle, hardship, family strife, and, in the end, achieving the American dream." (AudioFile Magazine)

"This timely, bittersweet immigration story will resonate powerfully with readers." (Publishers Weekly)   

Here We Are Review

The book was fantastic! I heard Aarthi Shahani interviewed on NPR’s Morning Edition. Steve Inskeep was the interviewer, I think, and it was so interesting that I ordered the book that day.
In this day of out of control immigration laws, the book was even more pertinent. I am appreciative of the author sharing so much about her family, culture, and her personal growth. Also how unfair the legal system can be.

Wow

An incredible life story, beautifully written and heart strings hammered.

I met the author in college without any clue that she wasn’t one of the j Crew clad, parents credit card wielding ones.

Listening to audio and hearing her voice, through her vocal chords was up there with Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama.

Incredible story. Very moving.

Well narrated because it was by the author herself and it was her own lived truth. Painful to know real details of an immigrant family’s story. The strength of each and every family member was amazing.

I laughed, cried, and learned so much

I have been highly recommending this book to all my friends; I learned a lot about our criminal justice system. Aarti’s voice is a breath of fresh air - honest and detailed but also infused with emotion from telling such a personal story. I both laughed and cried.

Amazing Story

Such a great book and story. Had me in tears! Thank you for sharing your story

How does immigration impact real people?

I am an immigration lawyer for over 20 years. This book is phenomenal. Aarti’s voice is clear and authentic, with the perfect balance of feeling and reason. Her story illuminates the complexity of our immigration system, and challenges the limiting narratives we consume.

Poignant meaningful & Touching

This was a wonderful Journey- amazing story of the American Dream and how it can be such a daily challenge for so many... truly poignant

Profoundly Beautiful!

A story of hope, courage, and triumph. Goes rightbto the heart of family and the immigrant experience. A love story if I ever heard one.

Great book by someone i hear on NPR a lot.

i was surprised to find out how much of her story was like a friend of mine.

Educated

Being a white, privileged, native born, fourth generation American I never had an opportunity to meet and mingle with any immigrant children in my youth. But they did not go unnoticed from my child eyes. I wondered about their clothes, their homes, their foods, their families. As a college student in NYC I began to have random opportunities to share space with others not like me. Then in my many years of employment I finally learned and enjoyed much from all the immigrants with whom I worked. But only thru the words of experience with this author did I feel I truly got educated in the day to day harsh, loving, painful, unjust realities the immigrant faces.
The author narrates well and presents so many complicated injustices they encountered. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the legal dilemmas faced by so many of the Americans who built and continue to build our country.