A NATIONAL BESTSELLER
From the internationally bestselling author of Secret Daughter and The
Golden Son comes a poignant, unforgettable novel about a family's growing
apart and coming back together in the wake of tragedy
The Olanders embody a modern family in a globalized world. Jaya,
the cultured daughter of an Indian diplomat, and Keith, an ambitious banker
from middle-class Philadelphia, meet in a London pub in 1988 and make a life
together in suburban California. Their strong marriage is built on shared
beliefs and love for their two children: headstrong teenager Karina and young
son Prem, the light of their home.
But love and prosperity cannot protect them from sudden, unspeakable
tragedy, and the family's foundation cracks as each member struggles to seek a
way forward. Jaya finds solace in spirituality. Keith wagers on his
high-powered career. Karina focuses relentlessly on her future and
independence. And Prem watches helplessly as his once close-knit family drifts
apart.
When Karina heads off to college for a fresh start, her search for
identity and belonging leads her down a dark path, forcing her and her family
to reckon with the past, the secrets they've held and the weight of their
choices.
The Shape of Family is an intimate portrayal of four
individuals as they grapple with what it means to be a family, leaving a
painful past and entering a hopeful future. It is a profoundly moving
exploration of the ways we all seek belonging—in our families, in our
communities and ultimately, within ourselves.
