52 pages • 1 hour read
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359
Novel • Fiction
Coastal town, India • 1990s
2000
Bloomsbury Publishing
Adult
18+ years
The Hero's Walk by Anita Rau Badami follows Sripathi Rao, a man in southern India whose life changes when his estranged daughter Maya dies in a car accident, leaving behind a granddaughter, Nandana. Sripathi brings Nandana to India, and the family grapples with grief, financial struggles, and the path to healing and connection within a fractured household. Themes include death, family conflict, and cultural displacement.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Heartwarming
4,478 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Hero's Walk by Anita Rau Badami has garnered praise for its rich character development and evocative depiction of an Indian family's struggles. Reviewers appreciate the emotional depth and relatable themes of loss and resilience. However, some criticize its pacing as slow. Overall, it is viewed as a poignant exploration of familial bonds and cultural identity.
Readers who appreciate richly-woven family dramas set against an Indian backdrop and enjoy delving into intricate character relationships would find great pleasure in reading The Hero's Walk by Anita Rau Badami. Comparable to Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake, it targets those interested in cultural identity and diaspora narratives.
4,478 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sripathi Rao
A 58-year-old man who works in advertising and is torn between traditional family duties and modern values. He struggles with his family relationships, particularly with his activist son and his late daughter, whose decisions once conflicted with his own ideals.
Nirmala
A woman raised with traditional values, who initially follows the will of her husband but gradually finds her own strength and independence after their daughter’s death.
Putti
A 42-year-old woman who desires marriage and is constrained by traditional family roles. Her aspirations are often overshadowed by her mother’s disapproval and her brother’s indifference.
Arun
An activist in his late 20s and Sripathi's son, who is pursuing a doctorate in social work. He represents the younger generation that challenges traditional roles and seeks social justice.
Maya Rao
Sripathi's and Nirmala’s intelligent and ambitious daughter, whose untimely death serves as a pivotal point for change within the family dynamic.
Nandana
The young daughter of Maya and Alan Baker, who becomes an orphan and moves to India after her parents' death. She struggles with her new life and serves as a symbol of redemption for her grandfather.
359
Novel • Fiction
Coastal town, India • 1990s
2000
Bloomsbury Publishing
Adult
18+ years
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