The Darker Side of a Family – Review of Family Life by Akhil Sharma
Review / July 7, 2014

Author: Akhil Sharma Publisher: Penguin Books India Year: 2014 ISBN: 9780670087457 Rating: Read book reviews from other readers An Indian family of four – a country hating Father, a typical Indian mom with endless worries and two brothers, immigrate to America in search for a life that India could not provide. But then, tragedy strikes and leaves every member of the family scarred for the rest of their lives. In his second installment, the critically acclaimed Akhil Sharma weaves a dark story that illustrates the irremediable consequences a familial misfortune can bring upon it’s survivors. Ajay’s family relocate to the US when he is quite young. His strict father, who he believes is government appointed to take care of his family, works with a government agency and is a brooding man of few words. His mother is a typical Indian doting mother who values her Indian traditions even in a foreign land. Birju, Ajay’s elder brother is an outstanding student, on his way to achieve great success when a sad (and rather silly for someone so intelligent) accident leaves him brain damaged and bed ridden for the rest of his life. As they say, Disasters and tragedies bring out the…