Timely.
This is one word I would use to describe Members Only by Sameer Pandya. This novel draws out a new experience in readers and tackles tough, but relevant topics in our society today.
Raj Bhatt is a professor who is living in a primarily wealthy and white community. His wife is even caucasian. As she seems to fit in more than he does, Raj finds it difficult to understand his place in his tennis club community. As a board member, he is asked to interview new members when he slips up and says something racist to a candidate. Raj is then accused of being a racist and becomes confused about his place in the world.
In the beginning, I was completely immersed in a world that was being built. I was captivated by the characters, who seemed realistic and unique. The tension built nicely up until Raj makes a grave error in a speech to another member of his tennis club. After the initial event, the plot started to slow down for me. I enjoyed the social commentary and political stances, but Raj's backstory seemed to overwhelm the rest of the story. There were times when his history was needed and most of the time, it was too much information dump. Overall, I would still recommend this book to readers looking for social commentary on race and class in the United States.
This novel is 3/5 stars for me.
This is one word I would use to describe Members Only by Sameer Pandya. This novel draws out a new experience in readers and tackles tough, but relevant topics in our society today.
Raj Bhatt is a professor who is living in a primarily wealthy and white community. His wife is even caucasian. As she seems to fit in more than he does, Raj finds it difficult to understand his place in his tennis club community. As a board member, he is asked to interview new members when he slips up and says something racist to a candidate. Raj is then accused of being a racist and becomes confused about his place in the world.
In the beginning, I was completely immersed in a world that was being built. I was captivated by the characters, who seemed realistic and unique. The tension built nicely up until Raj makes a grave error in a speech to another member of his tennis club. After the initial event, the plot started to slow down for me. I enjoyed the social commentary and political stances, but Raj's backstory seemed to overwhelm the rest of the story. There were times when his history was needed and most of the time, it was too much information dump. Overall, I would still recommend this book to readers looking for social commentary on race and class in the United States.
This novel is 3/5 stars for me.