The Invitation: Book summary and reviews of The Invitation by Anne Cherian

The Invitation Summary

A moving story that redefines the meaning of family, friendship, and success among a group of first-generation Indian immigrants.

When Vikram invites three of his college friends to his son's graduation from MIT, they accept out of obligation and curiosity, viewing the party as a twenty-fifth reunion of sorts. Village genius Vikram, now the founder of a lucrative computer company, is having the party against his son's wishes. Frances and Jay regret accepting: Frances, a real estate agent, hasn't sold a house in a year; Jay's middle management job isn't brag worthy; and their daughter is failing the eleventh grade. Lali plans to hide the fact that her once-happy marriage is crumbling because her American husband is discovering his Jewish roots.

Each had left UCLA expecting to be successful and have even more successful children. At Vikram's Newport Beach mansion, the showmanship they anticipate dissolves as each is forced to deal with his or her own problems. The follow-up to A Good Indian Wife, Anne Cherian's novel resonates with the poignancy of real life colliding with expectations unmet.

The Invitation Reviews

"Starred Review. Cherian's straightforward storytelling is riveting and rarely goes amiss (save for an instance of deus ex machina to resolve a pivotal scene), and the climax is fervent." - Publishers Weekly

"Purporting to look closely at the Indian experience in America, Cherian comes up with a less-than-flattering picture; the friends are all obsessed with what the others will think about their children, choice of spouse, financial status, and physical appearance. Concluding with some hasty surface resolutions, the book finally nudges uncomfortably into caricature." - Library Journal

"A mostly entertaining, sometimes thoughtful, but not terribly demanding Indian beach read." - Kirkus Reviews

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Anne Cherian is the author of A Good Indian Wife. She lives in Los Angeles, California.