Love Stars and All That

by Kirin Narayan

Book Overview

By the author of Storytellers, Saints, and Scoundrels, Love, Stars, and All That is Kirin Narayan's unforgettable novel.

For Gita, a shy Indian graduate student at Berkeley, life is a complex whirl of new friends, culture shock, creative survival on a graduate stipend, and, of course, romance. Gita's beloved Aunty has consulted her astronumerologist and, according to the stars, Gita is soon destined to meet her jori--or,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671793969
• ISBN13: 9780671793968
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Washington Square Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

a terrific read

As I wonder about Manil Suri (The Death of Vishnu), when is this equally fine writer ever going to come out with another novel?? I keep checking and am beginning to despair. I loved this book and would snap up another one by Kirin Narayan.

Wonderful

I read Love, Stars, and All That for a class at the University of Virginia. The entire class seemed to really enjoy this book. I absolutely adored it. It is warm, funny, realistic, and not only intellectually stimulating, but emotionally fulfilling as well. It is about a girl named Gita who leaves India to attend college at Berkely. However, you don't have to be from India, or female to enjoy this book. I feel this book transcends any specific gender or nationality, and finds a common thread to relate to everyone. The characters are very realistic, and the plot moves with ease. It is such an intimate reading experience. You will find yourself laughing, and at the end, you will have found you have learned as well.

Awesome!

I simply love this book. Love, Stars, all That, is a book about Gita who came to study in Berkly, California and her experiences in a culture which is way different than her own. I can relate to her experiences in an American college. The situations she goes through reminded me of my own experiences in an American school as well as my cousins and friends who came as international students. The incidents she encounter are hilarious.......definitely a good book to read.

Very enjoyable.

I enjoyed this book very much. Halfway through, I was unable to put the book down. I should tell you that that I did not like the book so much at first--until I realized that the discomfort was my own. Gita's insecurities and constraints reminded me of how I was raised--which I think falls under the label of Indian. I was often feeling embarrased for her/me in her newfound American situations. I find this interesting since I went to American Public schools and not Indian Convent schools. The details recalled by Gita are vivid in my mind's eye.Gita's adventures with men have already provided groundwork for discussions among my friends, who are Indian and American at the same time. I think others will find that it may be useful for opening such discourse.The author's writing style was a bit disruptive to me at first, with a fast forward between sections, and then flashback. Ultimately this technique was very effective, allowing highlighting of key events.I have already recommended this novel to several of my friends, and will recommend it to my book club.

Extremely easy to relate to and highly amusing!

I've read this book a few times and written papers on it, and it gets better each time I read it! I even got the chance to see Ms. Narayan speak, and she was just as witty and charming in person as in her writing! This book is about Gita, a 23-year-old who has grown up her whole life in India but has recently come to Berkeley, California to do a graduate degree. The book is chock full of her experiences in adjusting to American culture. Especially amusing are her efforts to not appear as the innocent, naive girl that she is! The plot takes an interesting, unpredictable turn about midway through the book. Overall, the reader comes away with a hilarious and thought-provoking book that is a very enjoyable read.