Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Although Chitra Divakaruni's poetry has garnered praise and awards for numerous years, her "luminous, exquisitely crafted prose" (Ms.) is quickly establishing her as one of the foremost rising stars in the ever-evolving landscape of American literature. Arranged Marriage, her debut collection of stories, spent five weeks on the San Francisco Chronicle's bestseller list and received critical acclaim that would be impressive for even the most established author. For the young girls and women depicted in these stories, the idea of change and starting anew is both frightening and full of potential, much like the vast ocean that separates them from their Indian homes. From a young bride whose romanticized view of California is shattered when her husband is murdered, leaving her to face an uncertain future alone, to a confident middle-aged divorcee determined to thrive in San Francisco, Divakaruni's award-winning poetry and prose unite to form eleven impactful portraits of women on the brink of a life-altering transformation.