Illumination Challenge 100 — DAY 6

America For Beginners — An Unexpected Ending

Flashback story book review

This is my entry for the #ABCBookReviewChallenge where I discuss one literary technique for each letter of the alphabet. For the letter ‘F’, I am going with “flashback” and the book for discussion is “America for Beginners” by Leah Franqui.

This is a story about Pival Sengupta, a recently widowed Bengali woman who is taking a cross-country trip across America from New York to California. Along with her is an eclectic group comprising a tour guide, the tour company owner, and a female companion for propriety.

I started reading this book because I love road trips! My longest one was Philadelphia to Chicago, 12+ hours scenic trip. However, this book focuses more on unfolding human drama during the trip.

The Flashback Technique

The author cleverly used the flashback method to reveal the real motives and secrets of this ragtag group. For example, Pival is actually visiting the US to uncover the truth behind the death of her son Rahi, who was living in San Francisco and who has revealed himself to be gay, a year ago. Pival’s husband had disowned him immediately. Months later, Rahi was purported to have died from a heart attack!

The other characters also have their own backstories and flashbacks are used to disclose their flaws and life tales.

The book is brilliant because it shows the human drama present even in mundane moments.

Award-Winning Author

The author is Puerto-Rican, Jewish-American, but the way she uses Bengali-Indian behaviors and cultural references are brilliant! I was astounded to know she was not an Indian (Yes, apparently I have my own prejudices too!)

This was also her first book, and unsurprisingly, this book won multiple literary awards as well.

Human Behavior

We all make mistakes in our lives; we all yearn for new and better things. And when life does not play out the way we want, we all suffer from discontent, resentment, and sorrow. The author portrays all these emotions without making it a sobfest, or unnecessarily pathetic.

Unexpected Ending

I will leave you guessing by saying the climax was quite unexpected, yet happy! I love it when the author ties all loose ends, and this one left me with bright hope for all the characters. Isn’t that what we all want — just hope that life will turn out happy and positive?

Highly recommend this book!

Did you read any book which left you buoyant and joyful?