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A Great Country


A novel exploring the ties and fractures of a close-knit Indian-American family ...
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What do you think of the Shah sibling relationship?

Created: 04/03/24

Replies: 11

Posted Apr. 03, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 1011

What do you think of the Shah sibling relationship?

Deepa covers for Maya when she skips school, and Maya is highly attuned to Ajay's idiosyncrasies. What do you think of the Shah sibling relationship? What are your relationships like with your siblings or sibling-type people around you?


Posted Apr. 04, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mali

Join Date: 05/01/20

Posts: 32

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

I thought the sibling relationship was fairly realistic - the 3 kids are all very different and engrossed in their own worlds, there are fights and irritations. But they are protective of each other and there for each other when needed. Similar dynamics in my own set of 3 siblings.


Posted Apr. 04, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
helenp

Join Date: 12/16/21

Posts: 39

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

All these siblings were so authentic to give the story a true picture of the differences and commonalities among them. They cared for each other and supported Ajay.


Posted Apr. 04, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
angelaw

Join Date: 05/26/22

Posts: 90

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

Reminded me of my own teenage years with my siblings - we were very different from each other and had our conflicts, but were loyal beyond what are differences and arguments would suggest would suggest.


Posted Apr. 05, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Tired Bookreader

Join Date: 08/19/11

Posts: 214

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

Most family siblings will try to 'be there' in a crunch. However, growing up in a family of 6, punishments are never fair or consistent. Opportunities given older children are not offered if the opportunity is wasted. Not having an autistic relative, it's difficult to know how to respond to the lack of impulse control. However, telling the truth is rarely the best route!


Posted Apr. 05, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Carol_D

Join Date: 09/23/23

Posts: 5

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

Tired Bookreader: did you really mean that “telling the truth is rarely the best route.” That hadn’t been my experience.


Posted Apr. 06, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cathyoc

Join Date: 04/26/17

Posts: 258

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

I thought the relationship between the siblings was a realistic one. In many families a single boy, especially when the youngest and most especially with differences is somewhat coddled and favored.
I think it was typical of siblings that they banded together when one of them was threatened, but these three are so different that they didn't share many common interests.


Posted Apr. 06, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
christineb

Join Date: 10/13/11

Posts: 128

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

I thought they were fairly typical for most siblings. They argued, disagreed and their dynamic with the parents was totally different. The two girls, however, always seemed to protect Ajay. Deepa also tried the protect Maya when her shoplifting was discovered. All in all none were the "perfect" child.


Posted Apr. 06, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Patricia Ann

Join Date: 05/24/21

Posts: 90

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

I too thought their relationships were pretty typical. Although they were very different, they looked out for one another and cared for each other. Deepa was very justice-minded. Maya worked hard to fit in with others at her school, and Ajay was absorbed with technical/scientific information.


Posted Apr. 10, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Joyce

Join Date: 10/14/21

Posts: 102

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

I agree with the perspectives mentioned above. I have one sister a year younger and we are as different as night and day. We've had our ups and downs over the years (in our mid-70's) but we stay in touch.


Posted Apr. 12, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scottishrose

Join Date: 07/24/11

Posts: 228

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

They were typical teenagers. They might not always get along with each other, but when the "attack" comes from the outside, they stick together and support each other.


Posted Apr. 18, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
wendyf

Join Date: 05/11/11

Posts: 80

RE: What do you think of the Shah ...

I think the relationship between the Shah children was pretty real. Sometimes they argue and have their own things going on. However there is also a great sense of protection that they have with each other.


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