Praise and Reviews |
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http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978301086&grpId=-1
'Cheryl Snell's book is an interesting, lyrical, humorous at times -
read about two cultures. The main character is charming, vibrant, real
in the best of ways. I love reading about different cultures, and ...
Cheryl Snell describes in lyrical ways the Indian culture and American
artist's reactions and accommodations to that culture. And of character
(three-dimensional and likeable, but not perfect) I like. Very good
writing."
--Nanette Rayman-Rivera, author of Project: Butterflies, algerias, and shana linda~pretty pretty
I admit, reading novels has been challenging for me over the years.
However, when the novel straddles real life to the point of complete
belief, leaving me thinking, "Yeah, this really can happen in real
life," I am sucked in!
Being sucked in, not once, but thrice, was
easy with Cheryl Snell's recount of the struggles and joys of living in
a cross-cultural, interfaith and bicultural family in the novel,
Shiva's Arms.
It doesn't hurt that I can personally relate to
many of the joys and struggles faced by the characters:
- Being
''coached" by friends, family, and even my spouse in how to behave 'more
Indian': what to say, not say, what to wear, what and how to cook
particular foods, what to do or not do for particular festivals or
occasions, etc. There are two examples I would like to share from the
book:
(1) Alice sets a Shiva statue in the kitchen. Ram pulls it
out, offended and disgusted, telling Alice 'it doesn't belong in the
kitchen where it's impure.' Of course, Ram has no reason as to why this
is so. These kinds of situations are a 'dime a dozen' in India; people
being told to do this or not do that because 'it's our culture,' but not
having any reason behind it or offering alternative solutions. This is a
frustrating part for many foreigners (including Indians born and raised
outside India) to Indian culture to 'get used to', if in fact, there is
any 'getting used to it.' This increases the push-pull, clear like and
confusing disdain at time for a foreign culture. (More below!)
(2)
Another aspect of this cross-cultural coaching that is even more
challenging, in my opinion is being coached on how to tell jokes to
"Indians" or appreciating the humor in Indian's jokes. There are a few
instances in the book where Alice tries to tell jokes, that turn out to
be inappropriate for Indian crowds and Ram pulls her away very quickly. I
can completely relate to these situations and I guess without them no
cross-cultural narrative would be complete or completely believable!
-
Feeling I am putting my spouse or his family 'between two worlds' when
trying to bring friends together from the "American" side or the
"Indian" side. I was moved and memories of similar episodes from my life
flashed in my head when I read the recount of 'Alice's first
home-cooked Indian dinner party for friends' starting on page 29.
-
The wonder, excitement and overwhelming chaos that ensues at an Indian
wedding (any wedding for that matter can be equally chaotic, but when an
American is a bride or bridegroom at an Indian wedding, and it's a new
experience, it's more overwhelming, confusing and exciting, especially
if done abroad). What a better opening to the story and novel than this
scene! It will immediately draw anyone in. I could feel for Alice when
her mood shifted, especially because rather than being 'coached' through
the episode, she was basically picked up and moved through the scene
like a small girl retelling a story with her dolls. Alice was at the
complete mercy of her new in-laws.
- The on-going acceptance or
repulsion of being intertwined in another 'culture'. I have read,
written and reflected on the idea of 'culture shock.' In many of the
writings, the reader is led to believe that culture shock is a linear
process, and once 'certain things' are learnt and adapted by the
newcomer, the culture shock is overcome. I don't believe this is
accurate. Even if we live in the same country our whole life, if we
assume that, we would not change and grow. In different times of our
lives we experience different things which compel us to like or be
repelled by the same things. This is clearly shown in the book- Alice's
push-pull love with Indian culture, always having a love for it, but
sometimes being clearly repulsed. The two clear examples would be:
(1)
When Amma comes to U.S. the first time, talks only in Tamil in the home
(she doesn't know much, if any English) and turns the home into a 'tiny
India', making it, I think a bit foreign to Alice, and Alice exclaims,
"All right, fair's fair. I wanna show you guys some American culture
now. There's a play I wanna take you to. Come on, now. Let's go." This
scene reminds me vividly of some of my frustrations living in India,
being over stimulated by the Indian culture and at times
over-emphasizing some of my "American-ness" as I felt it was not really
'allowed' to do so. Or, it reminds me of how in America it is very
possible and realistic that even in one's own home, it's possible to
live a different culture inside the four walls of a home that is
completely different from the outside world. I am sure immigrants from
all backgrounds can relate to this. In such situations, stepping outside
the house is like living in a foreign land! Of course, in the novel, we
find out Alice gives birth soon after her almost 'psychotic break' at
the play. It may seem over dramatic because it is a fast-paced novel
after-all, but in some ways, to me such a scene seems completely
possible.
(2) Near the end of the book, Alice comes to terms with
her mother-in-law through nursing her back to health in this time; she
has in-law staying in the home helping her. One of the 'tasks' given to
the in-laws by Alice is to have Amma tell them stories, and they
translate them from Tamil to English so she (Alice) can draw narrations
to refresh Amma about her life's memories. In this exchange, Amma opens
up and tells personal stories about her life she has not told anyone.
There
are many, many more points I can highlight in the wonders of 'Shiva's
Arms' and why I recommend anyone interested in cross-cultural family
life, Indian culture, American culture, Hindu culture or any of the
other subjects in the book to pick up this book devour it. I say
'devour' because reading this book is so engrossing, even at my third
read I am engrossed as my first. It is also possible to read this book
in less than a day because it is indeed so engrossing. So, unlike other
novels that you may find it impossible to pass the first few pages or
chapters, I really don't believe it would happen with this one! Looking
for some really great summer-time reading? Pick up this book, go sit
under a tree in the summer shade or by the lake or ocean and while
soaking up the summer breezes, soak up the wonderful narratives in
Shiva's Arms. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
(Jennifer Kumar, alaivani.com)
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