Gold Diggers by Sanjena Santhian

 Gold Diggers (2021) by Sanjena Santhian

This is called serendipity. My usual rounds of library involve dropping books in return bin and rushing to the on Hold section to pick up the reserved books. This time, I noticed a rack called "New Books". I browsed through the books and none looked interesting - as is my prejudice with new authors. One name stood out being Indian author and I picked it in a rush. It could join my huge list of half-read-and-returned books if its uninteresting.

Chapter one and turns out this is set in Georgia (yeah my new home state). In some Hammond Creek subdivision near Buckhead. Then adventures of high schoolers; children of Indian parents. Every dreary turn of view, for this particular dynamic finds its way in the Part One of this book. I have usual complaint about this style; but it's not to say the author doesn't know to write. She does write well. Plus it's one more place talking about Indian-American high-schooler. Someday someone might write it in a fashion of Never Ever Have I.

Now Gold is an essential experience of Indians in numerous ways. Sanjena has created/introduced another magic-realism aspect in her novel. It's hard for me to digest but I flow along. Other cultural stories of Gold also find its way here - California gold rush, Greek Midas gold touch, Chinese gold, etc.

Part Two takes the protagonist to the West coast. By now I see patterns of Great Expectations (Pip, Miss Havisham & Estella). And in part two, some of GoldFinch (impact of death on the survivors). There is femme-fatale / honeytrap level stuff; but thankfully it doesn't go that dramatic.

I was getting miffed at the passivity of Niel. Or that he just observes others, not participate. But then in real-life, everyday I see a bunch of high-schooler walk past my window, on a single street, from their bus-stop on one side to the end of the street to their houses. They are 8-10 kids. I have never seen them talk to each other. Ever. If this was India and those were Indian kids, no one would have peace from the raucous camaraderie back-slapping, shoulder hugging, non-stop talking those kids would have done. That's the system here - in every way, it discourages non-structed talking.

Then Niel talks or longs for belonging. Belonging or bonding is much more in recent immigrants as they come from similar background for similar employments. Those who came between 1965 & 1990s came by their own, made it on their own - that also made them very lonely and not part of something. They did form communities later and struggled it to keep it that way - credits to them for that; but it also involved power-struggles, not peaceful belonging. 

Language, food and old-friendships / family - those are pillars of belonging. Food is in control because home-cooking & restaurants are still strong in Indian community. Language is also extensive; but unlike India it is not public; its personal & limited to family. Language here is not a tool of bonding far & wide - English does that job. And about old friendships, that takes time and not enough reasons exists here given the amount of uprooting & unsurely that exists among immigrants & their offspring. Land & Gold ownerships are different in USA than outside it. 

 

Shetty's must have surely made it Georgia. Because they find a mention in this book. Not any main or reoccurring character. Just house-party guests. Also like Shah's & Patel's are staple mention in NRI stories.

The comment made by the lady on afternoon walk, in the last chapter, maybe the only funny line in the entire book. By then the tone is relaxed too in that chapter.

Overall I loved the book. It's full with multiple stories, and plots, no twists. And there is action, there is peace. There is happy ending. Thank god, this one did not go for any twisted or tragic ending.

Have to appreciate authors skill of weaving an engrossing tale, across 2 decades and stories from past centuries. I finished the book in a week - which is something. And I was definitely depressed for the rest of the day after finishing the last page.