The Sleepwalker’s Guide To Dancing

The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing by Mira Jacob

What’s it about?
The novel takes place over thirty years and tells the story of an Indian immigrant family living in Albuquerque. Through flashbacks we learn the history of the Eapen family.  The story takes place during different time periods ranging from the 1970’s through the 1990’s.   India, Seattle and Albuquerque are all featured in the book.  Although the family faces difficult challenges, the author’s sense of humor is seen throughout the book.  Mira Jacob has a light touch.

What did it make me think about?
It made me think about how universal family experiences are, no matter what your culture.

Should I read it?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.   The last few books I read were so heavy it was nice to read something with both substance and humor.   The novel never seemed like it was taking itself too seriously.

Quote-
“To live in the Eapens’ house was to acknowledge the sharpness of invisible borders, the separations that had divided it like two countries since 1983.  It had been years since Amina had seem her mother wade into the yellow light of her father’s porch, and as far as she knew, Thomas had never once crossed the gate into Kamala’s garden.”