A simple & sweet story by Sudha Murthy in just
150+ pages which will just keep you hooked on to it till its last page. It is a
story about dreams, aspirations, cultures and the simple life.
Story is about a lady called Gauramma, mother of
two sons and a daughter. Her first daughter-in-law, Vinutha is a teacher who
hails from a lower middle class family. Though she is a kind woman at heart,
who is always showering her love and affection for her family, her efforts are
overlooked by Gauramma who is in praise of her second daughter-in-law, Jamuna,
who is living with her first son, Chandru in the land of 'Honey & Money' -
The USA. In blind obsession of ‘Dollar’ and ‘Dollar Bahu’ she fails to see the adverse
effect on her son Girish, his wife and the rest of the family due to constant
comparison between the two. Then, Gouramma decides to visit her US-based son
and daughter-in-law. Once there, she sees how liberating life can be, away from
the strict norms that govern Indian middle-class life. But she also begins to
understand that mere dollars cannot buy the love and respect that she gets as
her due back in India.
Amazing read. Dollar Bahu is not one of the books
that may go on to win the Bookers and the Pulitzer awards, but it is definitely
a book that will keep you engaged till the end.
Must read - for those who aspire to go to US.
Though this book seems to have been written in way past but lot of things mentioned
in the book are still prevalent with Indians living in the USA.
Why should you read it?
1. Writing style of author, especially the parts
where she explains beauty of a small town Dharwad. Stark comparison between
what Gouramma sees at USA with Bangalore.
2. Sweet & simple story with which you can
relate easily. Will touch your heart
3. Size of the book – you can just complete it at
one go.
Why you might not like it?
1. Story is very predictable, no twists &
turns.
2. Character Girish – he has no stand of his own.
When author wants to emphasise more on daughter-in-law’s sufferings – this
character starts supporting his mother & when author wants to emphasise
more on daughter-in-law’s intelligence & her adjusting nature – this
character starts supporting his wife.
3. This is a translated book from Kannada. At some
places you feel that the dialogues or situations could have
been written more effectively.
My Rating: 
Keep shattering keys...
K
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