This collection of short, independent stories centers around Indian and Indian-American families. Many of the stories are about the breakups of couples or families. I really liked that it wasn't focused on cultural differences or difficulties- rather, the themes of the stories could be from anywhere.
The stories that have really stuck with me I found to be pretty depressing. The couples are always troubled, committing adultery or just being unhappy. They make great short stories- they'd be too depressing as full novels, rather than just glimpses of sad lives. An excellent example of the short story form.

This is one of my favorite books. Each of her short stories successfully describes the intricacies of another cultural facet of Asian Indian people. Some are immigrants in the US. Some are immigrants in the UK. Some are Americans visiting Asia. Some are Asians in Asia. Jhumpa Lahiri vividly reflects the tones, textures, and colors of India throughout this lush work. She doesn't tell, she shows. And what she shows is uncommonly beautiful. Well-deserved Pulitzer for this work.

In varying degrees, Lahiri explores "Indianness" in all her stories, wherever they are set. Some, such as "A Real Durwan," take place in urban settings in or near Calcutta. Others deal with immigrants at different stages on the road to assimilation. In "A Temporary Matter," Lahiri's sensitive portrayal of a troubled marriage, the fact that the couple is Indian seems almost incidental. In the title story, Mr. and Mrs. Das, both born in America, are taking their children to visit India for the first time. One of Lahiri's gifts is the ability to use different eyes and voices. I need to read this one again as the stories have become a bit hazy, but I do remember liking it.

i read it because it was recommended to me by my new friends in my book club- it's beautiful.