Reminder: Sometimes, You Need To Follow Your Gut
The debut novel, Coming Home by Smitha Vishwanath, is a story of self-discovery.
It opens with the protagonist, twenty-six years old, Shanaya, making the trip back
home to attend the funeral of the sudden death of Shanaya’s dear mother. The
premise of this story is fiction, but from the inciting incident, we’re immersed in
a much too real reality. How does one get on with living after the death of a mother?
The beauty of the funeral rites speaks volumes. Immediately, one is made part of it.
And what joy to tag along in the Indian culture that venerates their departed in such
a way. I was in awe of it all. Obviously, once the pillar of the household dies, the ones
left behind need to call forth core values to navigate a life that honors that missing
presence.
For Shanaya, that involves respecting her late mother’s desire to marry her to an
accomplished doctor. An arranged marriage is part of that lovely Indian culture.
In her struggle to empty her soul to find her life purpose as determined by her late
mother, Shanaya quits her banking job to reunite with her father, whom she believes
needs taking care of, and her younger sister, who Shanaya believes needs her to be
a big sister.
This story gave me great insight into the family values upheld by an older generation,
respect for aunties, elders, and such, while also exploring what these norms are like
for the younger generation. It also fleshes out for us what life looks like with friends.
There’s a lovely spiritual retreat that parked me right there with Shanaya and the other
participants. I was there, practicing and eating vegan, and I even felt my skin go
through a lovely transformation from being in that ashram. I savored the various dishes
she consumed; the glorious sunrises and sunsets she witnessed there and elsewhere, I
experienced in the vivid descriptions in prose. And the romance that blossomed
between the covers of the book was delicious and delicate in its purity.
The character arc of all characters was well fleshed out and authentic to form. I read
in the description of this book, that Author Smitha Vishwanath is a banker by profession
and was practically enamored with how (I think) the Author peppered so much of her
own knowledge onto Shanaya to make her a strong and intelligent character in the
novel.
Also, the traveling! I have never been to that part of the world, but in this novel felt
transported to the various places Shanaya went.
The resolution was a welcome surprise and made for a beautiful happy ending. What
a well-crafted story! I want to return; “Come Home” to it again in the very near future.
An enjoyable read. 5-star from a satisfied customer in Japan.
P.S. “Coming Home” has been entered in a Cover of the Month contest.
It has amassed 279 votes so far and is among the top 24 book covers of the month.
(The top 3 winners will be announced on the last day of this month).
I’m sure that Smitha Vishwanath would be thrilled to know that you cast your vote
for Coming Home. Yay! Let’s all help out this Author of wonderful prose.
Thank you for reading.
Stay in the shade, everyone. xoxo
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3 cheers to you and Smitha for a great review on a great book and gifted author💕
Thanks, Cindy for the appreciation and for your kind words. It is a great review and my first from Japan. So, calls for a double celebration :). XXX
You’re so very welcome. Hooray my friend❣️
👏👏👏
Smitha, your first from Japan. Yay! There will be more. Bless you, dear one. xoxo
Yes! I was so excited seeing your review. Thank you for your blessings and kindness, Selma. Wishing you love and light. Xoxo
Three cheers received enthusiastically, dearest Cindy. The Author of this novel is on top of her game; knows what she’s doing. I know Smitha as a poet. And a tremendously great artist. I Met her on my first NaPoWriMo and she never told me she was that amazing a Writer. Wowed me for sure. Loved how smoothly she writes. Thoroughly enjoyed the novel. A worthy read… Bless you, Cindy.
Lovely write up Selma. She truly is all of that and more!!! Agreed! Her book is a gift sitting in my TBR 😝
The support you give is truest appreciated, dear lady. We all love you. Go at your own pace. I bless you. And please stay in the shade. This heat is no joke. We are boiling here. I can hardly think— exhausted and the heat makes it worst. 😮💨
Thanks much Selma. That’s all I can do… and it’s cooled down a little here, thank goodness You stay cool my friend❣️
Sounds an amazing story, lovely review.
Thank you! I’m happy to know you think so. I agree with you on Selma’s review of the book. It is lovely.
The book is that wonderful, Diana. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it (slowly). thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. So many books, so little time… xoxo Blessings. Stay in the shade.
I agree, not much sun in the UK I agree more reading less other stuff.
Thank you for your fabulous review of ‘Coming Home’ dear Selma. And to share this review when your book just got launched is the sweetest gesture. I’m thrilled with my first review from Japan and for the shout-out for the Cover of the Month contest. The link is https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/15732/ (if anybody wishes to vote).
This review coming from an avid reader like you is gratifying. Honored. It’s wonderful that I could share some of the Indian traditions with you and show you a little of India. Love and hugs XOXO
A lovely, insightful review, Selma! I also enjoyed reading Smitha’s book and wrote a review on Amazon. <3 Hope your day is going well!
Please let me know if you received my email, Earthly Days. If not, I will resend it. Thanks! <3
Cheryl, I absolutely loved the fact that you read the book although you don’t read too many novels. Thank you for giving ‘Coming Home’ a chance and for investing time in reading it and writing a review. Hugs.
Hey, Cheryl. Glad to know you read and reviewed it as well. We went on the same vacation. *clapping*
Thanks for reading my review and commenting.
As for the email, All is well. xoxo
Beautiful review, Selma! Thanks for sharing!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Yvi, it’s my pleasure to introduce the book in my review. So many books, so little time. And if one needs to taste the words, like I need to, the reviews take a while to come. But they come. Thanks, Yvi. Blessings.
Amazing review, Selma, for Smitha’s wonderful book! I loved it and agree with your thoughts. There were so many layers seamlessly laid out throughout the pages that Shanaya’s story was more than a love story. It was a delightful experience to discover each layer. And I loved the traveling too. Congrats to Smitha and thanks for sharing! ❤️🎉
Lauren, glad we read the same book. Shanaya’s story was precious indeed. Thanks for liking my review. Blessings.
What an amazing review, Selma. I have Coming Home on my Kindle, and I hope to read it very soon. It sounds like just the book I need to read. ❤️
I loved it. I’m pretty sure you will too, dear Gwen. Blessings.