A Great Country

It was supposed to be a relaxing evening for Priya and Ashok Shah. After immigrating to America and initially struggling to survive the have finally moved on up to an exclusive and pricey neighborhood. Older daughter, Deepa, a social activist, resents the move away from a neighborhood that gave her a sense of belonging and feels that her parents have abandoned it. Her younger sister, Maya, a high school freshman who has been befriended by a well off peer at summer sports camp is enjoying her new social world, hoping that her embarrassing family will stay out of it. Only son. Ajay, 12, immersed in robotics and attempting to build a drone, doesn't really care one way or another. Although he has never been diagnosed, he shows lots of signs of being on the autism spectrum. Priya and Ashok, confident that Deepa is taking care of her younger siblings, are at an adults only dinner at a friend's house.
They're still at the dinner when Priya gets a phone call telling her that Ajay is in police custody at the downtown county jail. He's been arrested at an airport, considerably roughed up a police officer who has him pegged as a terrorist, and thrown into the adult jail. "He destroyed the evidence and tried to run. Made furtive gestures. Resisted arrest. That's plenty guilty behavior for me." The initial charges are trespassing, arrest, and destroying evidence. But since Ajay had a drone near an airport more serious, even federal, charges may be forthcoming. His arraignment may be in two weeks.
In those two weeks the family must comply with police demands and avoid the press camped outside their door. This is made harder when an advocacy group takes on Ajay's arrest as a cause. This seriously bothers Priya who doesn't want her son and family lumped in with "those people"
Ashok and Priya have built their life around the belief that playing by the rules will protect them and assure them of success. Now that their faith has been shattered they must face a lot of difficult questions.
Meanwhile Deepa has been questioned by police about her involvement in a protest. And Maya, desperate to fit in with her new peer group, is making some decisions that could get her in deep trouble.
The characters and conflicts are well developed. Issues of racism and classism are interwoven into the narrative. Gratuitous violence and sex don't make an appearance. A Great Country is the rare adult novel as relevant and engaging as YA books. In fact, since the issues are so relevant and several of the protagonists are teenage or younger, I recommend to the YA set as well as their parents. In fact it would be a great two generation book club read.
On a purrrsonal note, it looks like Eugene and I will be up to camp this weekend. Since Eugene never lets me help with any of the work I guess I'll have to sit on the porch and read. I've made a trip to Orono Public Library to stock up.
A great big shout out goes out to you, my readers, with best wishes for a safe, fun, and relaxing three day weekend.
Jules Hathaway