Well-Behaved Indian Women

By: Saumya Dave

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

A Lilly's Library Book Club Pick!

“A sparkling debut.”—Emily Giffin, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

From a compelling new voice in women's fiction comes a mother-daughter story about three generations of women who struggle to define themselves as they pursue their dreams.

Simran Mehta has always felt harshly judged by her mother, Nandini, especially when it comes to her little "writing hobby." But when a charismatic and highly respected journalist careens into Simran's life, she begins to question not only her future as a psychologist, but her engagement to her high school sweetheart.

Nandini Mehta has strived to create an easy life for her children in America. From dealing with her husband's demanding family to the casual racism of her patients, everything Nandini has endured has been for her children's sake. It isn’t until an old colleague makes her a life-changing offer that Nandini realizes she's spent so much time focusing on being the Perfect Indian Woman, she’s let herself slip away.

Mimi Kadakia failed her daughter, Nandini, in ways she'll never be able to fix­—or forget. But with her granddaughter, she has the chance to be supportive and offer help when it's needed. As life begins to pull Nandini and Simran apart, Mimi is determined to be the bridge that keeps them connected, even as she carries her own secret burden.

Critic reviews

"The family dynamics are familiar in the best way, reminding you that you’re not alone with whatever soft-shoe you’re performing beneath your own family tree."—New York Times Book Review

"This is a tender tale that never shies away from the tension at its root."—ELLE

"Well-Behaved Indian Women is a sparkling debut about family, identity, and finding the courage to pursue your own dreams. Saumya Dave is a bright new voice in women’s fiction.”—Emily Giffin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lies That Bind

"Saumya Dave's wonderful debut is about mothers, daughters, and the rewards of following your own path. Told with warmth, humor, and insight, Well-Behaved Indian Women is a joy from start to finish."—Laura Dave, international bestselling author of Eight Hundred Grapes

"Well-Behaved Indian Women is a lesson in dreaming passionately, loving deeply, and living authentically. Dave reminds us that it’s never too late to resurrect an abandoned dream. This stunning debut is a celebration of women— their loves and loyalties, dreams and disappointments, hopes and heartbreaks."—Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author

“Saumya Dave's debut explores the relationships between mothers and daughters and their constant dance between meeting expectations while trying to fulfill self-desires. Nandini and Simran are both conflicted in how to be true to themselves. This debut is a love letter to the complexities of families and personal ambitions.”—Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune

Better to read than listen to audio format

The story manages to capture some of the Indian wedding complexities but in a shallow way. It depicts all Indian women has the self degenerating inner monologue which is probably far from reality. Dialogues are shallow, specially the ones given to lead character Simran. Narrator spoke those with even more annoyance. It probably is better if read than listened in audio form.

Amazing book

I never read and I had to chose a book related to India for a class book report and honestly I finished it so quickly and it made me want to read more

Misunderstood

This is one of my favorite novels that connects the indian american experience with the main characters. I understood my own mother more than ever before.

Good quick read

Good story reflecting the struggles faced by Indian women in modern times. Easy to listen to though narrator sounds a little robotic at times

Too much and not enough

The narration was hard to get over with one voice for all the characters, especially male ones. The story had some really great moments towards the end, but the ending just left too much hanging... not what I was expecting at all. I could imagine this being made into a screen play though... sounded like it was written to be a movie.