A tragedy in Mira Singh's life has left her devastated and mourning. No one in her family knows how to confront the tragedy that befalls them, and they place the blame on each other, and even on God. Mira's parents do not understand the struggles of their children. Having immigrated from India in 1984, the family have all faced discrimination because of their religious background and practices. Mira's brother has faced the worst discrimination, and traumatized, he is estranged from the family.
Within this web of family tragedy and grief, forbidden love blooms in the hearts of the women in the story. Bittersweet romance, a heart-wrenching tale of love lost, and love attained tease the senses. The clash between old world sanctity and the new western world's temptations reveal the true test of character and strength in the family members. Each of them struggle not only to communicate with each other, but to understand each other's perspectives, or to relate to their different relationships with American culture and society. An exploration of assimilation and banishment, of the cost of difference and the value of family weave this powerful story together into a breathtaking novel of quiet beauty.