"Dry Spells" by Archana Maniar may make you think differently about water and possibly about life choices versus fate.

It's the story of a Shyamala, a single thirty-something year old Indian-American woman. She was left at the altar and is hurt. Then she was sent by her company from her home in Buffalo, NY, to Bombay, India, to take over an abandoned job there. She is invited to stay with her mothers sister, Aunt Vini.

Shyamala has a complex relationship with her mother. The story alternates between Shyamala's story and her mother, Pramila's, through their young adulthoods.

This story covers the inequality of the caste system, the constant worry about and need for water, and life choices vs. fate. Oh yes, there is also a nice love story (actually two). It is not spicy.

Characters - 4/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 3/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 3/5
Enjoyment - 2/5
Narration - 4/5, by Reena Dutt
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 3/5

Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing, and author Archana Maniar for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this audiobook about a woman in her 30s who’s transferred to India, where her parents are from, and has a chance to uncover things about her mother’s background that have shaped her own life.

The story was absorbing, the characters complex and likable, the plot unfolded to reveal believable twists and epiphanies. A little romance, a little self discovery, a little social activism. It paints a vivid picture of modern day Bombay and a pretty horrific fresh water situation.

The narrator did an incredible job with the accents and voices of different characters, and overall was pleasant and engaging to listen to.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank You, NetGalley for the opportunity to read, or rather, listen to Dry Spells by Archana Maniar.

I picked up this book not knowing what to expect.

When Indian ex-pats write stories set in India, their knowledge or idea of India is often outdated or tainted. I'm not too fond of this and it takes away from the story.

They should come to India and see how it is now, with its flaws and merits. It's a very myopic view that gets translated into books, often sermonising Indians on how to be as a society. We do not need that.

So, I disliked this aspect and also the story didn't have much in terms of keeping you hooked.

It was pretty ordinary.

So, I don't know, I leave it up to the readers to decide, if they want to read it.

This novel is a beautiful poignant reflection of a mother and daughter’s relationship and how cultural and locational influences have a hand in shaping familial bonds. Shyamala is approaching her mid-thirties and has hit a plateau as far as her career and love life are concerned. A recently failed relationship and a coerced career opportunity has her traveling to Mumbai for at least half a year. Reconnecting with her maternal aunt, she settles into life in India and is immediately swept up into the local politics of her aunt’s building. Navigating between the rigors of the caste system, lack of water, and new romantic interludes; Shyamala finds more of herself as well as coming to know her mother better.

The novel is told from two POV’s over two timelines. Shyamala’s story is the present and we get her history in her mother Pramila’s story starting decades prior. Pramila’s timeline is a coming-of-age story from India and helps to explain the breakdown in communication between mother and daughter. Shyamala’s story focuses on discovering what she really wants and finding herself between two countries.

I truly enjoyed this story as well as the history and culture of India that was presented within it. The audio production was fabulous and I felt absolutely immersed in the rich culture, food, and politics of Mumbai.

Maniar has managed to make the characters and their experiences in this book feel so real and vivid, whilst also discussing some very heavy topics in a way that I feel will hit home for many. These topics consist of; global warning, racism, sexism and social inequality. The inner monologue of the main characters is often tearjerking, with the main characters feeling trapped by tradition and familial experiences. This book feels very relevant to today’s society will likely lead to reflection for many that read.

I’m not exactly sure what drew me to this title. Probably it’s the Indian setting or maybe it’s that constant pull to find texts that convey a different cultural experience in a familiar plot trope. Regardless of the draw, this is one that will stick with me for a while. The characters were fully developed with rich backstories that unfolded one critical detail at a time. The setting, someplace I’ve never experienced firsthand, managed to come alive through careful storytelling and deft descriptions. The jasmine motif was unmissable, but its lack of subtlety almost served to convey more power for the scented blossom in the narration. When something so simple, so spare takes on power like that, it is as if another level of appreciation for a text appears in my mind’s eye. That is certainly the case for this novel.

All of the best writing in the world is for naught if not pared with a thoughtful narration in audio form. I can’t imagine a better reader for this text. Reena Dutt was magnificent. Her intonation, vocal variety, and representation of the various voices and accents was compelling. As someone who usually listens at 2x, that doesn’t always translate well for passages with heavy dialogue or dialects. That was not the case for Dutt’s performance; it was successful at all speeds!

I just reviewed Dry Spells by Archana Maniar. #NetGalley