If Today Be Sweet

If Today Be Sweet is the latest offering by awesome author, Thrity Umrigar. She's an Indian woman who now makes her home in America, and her book is fabulous on so many levels. The story of an older woman, Tehmina, whose much-loved husband dies, and who subsequently leaves India to live with her son and his American wife in Ohio. It's a book about grief, loss, living, love and culture. Umrigar provides a nuanced view of a woman torn between wonderful memories and the past and the terror that comes with venturing outside of not only her comfort zone, but her country, her culture and all her accumulated experiences within India. Tehmina is a really fleshed out character, because not only does Umrigar's writing allow Tehmina a rich internal life, but a full external life, too. The premise of the book questions what life is for, and how humans show bravery and love in a variety of circumstances- not only through Tehmina, but through her son and the neighbor children, as well. I highly recommend it!