The Candid Life of Meena Dave, Namrata Patel
The Candid Life of Meena Dave, Namrata Patel
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The Candid Life of Meena Dave

Author: Namrata Patel

Narrator: Soneela Nankani

Unabridged: 10 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/01/2022

Synopsis

A woman embarks on an unexpected journey into her past in an engrossing novel about identity, family secrets, and rediscovering the need to belong.Meena Dave is a photojournalist and a nomad. She has no family, no permanent address, and no long-term attachments, preferring to observe the world at a distance through the lens of her camera. But Meena’s solitary life is turned upside down when she unexpectedly inherits an apartment in a Victorian brownstone in historic Back Bay, Boston.Though Meena’s impulse is to sell it and keep moving, she decides to use her journalistic instinct to follow the story that landed her in the home of a stranger. It’s a mystery that comes with a series of hidden clues, a trio of meddling Indian aunties, and a handsome next-door neighbor. For Meena it’s a chance for newfound friendships, community, and culture she never thought possible. And a window into her past she never expected.Now as everything unknown to Meena comes into focus, she must reconcile who she wants to be with who she really is.

About Namrata Patel

Namrata Patel is an Indian American writer who resides in Boston. Her writing examines diaspora and dual-cultural identity among Indian Americans and explores this dynamic while also touching on the families we’re born with and those we choose. Namrata has lived in India, New Jersey, Spokane, London, and New York City and has been writing most of her adult life. For more information visit www.nampatel.com.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Holly on June 02, 2022

I enjoyed this one much more than I was expecting! It was easy to fall into the story and get invested in Meena's journey. She is a photojournalist and lives a wanderlust life, but is also a loner. Her life is sidelined when she inherits a brownstone apartment from a complete stranger. She moves in......more

Goodreads review by jessica on November 03, 2022

this is a nice story about overcoming loneliness, finding family, and making a home. i cant say its the most exciting book, but its good enough for what it is. the characters are decent, the history of the house and its original owners is interesting, and the writing is easy to read. i will say the......more

Goodreads review by Kimberly on July 22, 2022

Satisfying To be honest, there's a bit of a twist at the end of this story that is refreshing. I dont want to spoil it for anyone so I won't say more than that. In general terms, this is a good story about love, pain and family and about finding what home means. Charming!......more

Goodreads review by Jaclyn~she lives! catching up on reviews~ on December 16, 2022

At its heart, this novel is about cultural and personal identity and how we honor our past —and how we heal from it. The Candid Life of Meena Dave is a debut and it shows: the writing and pacing are off in places. However, the characters made reading this a delight. This book deals with adoption, los......more

Goodreads review by Silver Petticoat on April 26, 2022

The Life of Meena Dave is a delightful and charming read about a woman’s journey to discover herself and her roots. It’s about identity, family, and finding a place you truly belong. Patel has given us characters we can root for, especially the main character, who is relatable and flawed. It’s also g......more

Quotes

Center for Fiction First Novel Prize Finalist“A thoroughly entertaining rendition of one woman’s search for belonging.” —Kirkus Reviews“Full of lively characters who will win readers’ hearts and keep them thinking long after the book is finished, this book is a genuine, charming debut. Long-buried secrets and a journey of self-discovery will keep the pages turning.” —Booklist“[A]n inherently fascinating and impressively scripted novel…” — Midwest Book Review

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