The Inscrutable AmericansThis quirky novel - a besteller in India - chronicles an Indian student's year abroad at an American university. Gopal's hilarious misadventures with the American language, his flamboyant landlady, the ubiquitous hamburger, and, most of all, American women form the basis for this wonderfully truthful story. Faced with the relentless sexuality of his fellow college students, the quintessentially decent Gopal reacts with a mixture of disbelief, sly amusement, and hormonal overload. Throughout his battles with racism, his own insecurity, and his family's warning that he will be severely judged should he dabble in America's temptations, Gopal retains a dignity and surprising shrewdness, rejecting the worst of what American offers even as he recognizes the best. Following reluctantly behind the outrageous leadership of his American friend Randy, the naive but observant Gopal reacts with a wit that far transcends his linguistic limitations. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
actually American apartment appeared arrived asked assured began breath brother called carrying clearly clothes course dance decided don't door drove eyes face feel feet felt Finally followed friends front gathered girl give glass Gopal hair hand happened head heard heart hope India inside interest keep kind lady later laughed leave light living looked managed mean MICHIGAN mind mother moved nearly never nice night once opened Perhaps problem Randy Randy's reached remembered returned seemed seen sense sitting smiled stairs started stopped Stories suddenly Sunil sure tell things thought told took tried trying turned voice waited walked watched window women wondered young