Dimple Lala doesn't know what to think. Her parents are from India, and she's spent her whole life resisting their traditions. Then suddenly she gets to high school and everything Indian is trendy. Now things are more complicated than ever. At seventeen, she's still recovering from a year-old break up and her best friend isn't around the way she used to be. To make matters worse, her parents arrange for her to meet a "suitable boy." Of course, it doesn't go well—until Dimple goes to a club and finds him spinning a magical web of words and music. Suddenly the boy is suitable because of his sheer unsuitability, and complications ensue.
This is a funny, thoughtful story about finding yourself, finding your friends, finding love, and finding your culture—sometimes where you least expect it.
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"I love this book so much. It is the perfect mixture of reality, hope, beauty, truth, and a unique coming of age story. Born Confused offers outsiders a glimpse into the difficulties of growing up in two different cultures. As a photographer, I loved reading the passages of the darkroom and the 'dance' of chemical development. I re-read this book at least once a year, the story a favorite of mine."
— Chani (5 out of 5 stars)
“Compelling and witty…Gives voice to a new generation of Americans.”
— USA Today“Complicated, chaotic, and absolutely charming.”
— Seventeen“The author poetically captures the essence of her characters and the richness of seemingly insignificant moments. Absorbing and intoxicating, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Narrator Gavin gives a rousing performance. She handles the accents with aplomb—Indian, British, American—individualizing each character…Gavin’s stellar performance is impressive.”
— Kliatt (starred review)“A breathtaking experience…The exuberant, almost psychedelic linguistic riffs will catch readers up in a breathtaking experience that is beyond virtually anything being published for teens today.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Colorfully recounted by Marguerite Gavin, who reads with the rhythm of ankle bells and sitar in her soul…The quality of Gavin’s voice is most appealing, and her regional accents make the scenes picturesque.”
— AudioFile“This involving story, filled with detail about the protagonist’s life and background, will reward its readers. The family background and richness in cultural information add a new level to the familiar girl-meets-boy story. Teens will be rooting for Dimple and her quest to find her own place in her family and country.”
— School Library Journal“[A] feast for the senses, creating a reading experience that is unusual in YA literature today.”
— Booklist" This book is a great book that expresses the daily life of being a teenager and struggling with how you look, religion and of course boys. I did feel that the book was slow reading and there were many Indian words that aren't easily understood. Overall a really enjoyable book "
— Amanda, 2/13/2014" it's nothing special or particular "epic" or "amazing" but there is something about this book that sticks with you...ad you're not entirely sure why, even at 26 every so often I think about going back to it... "
— Donna, 2/11/2014" Really liked it--especially that her parents weren't always the bad guys and some of her realizations about herself (definitely a coming-of-age/identity book)--very poetic, but some of the poetry and musings were a little long-winded. "
— Libby, 2/7/2014" Meh. Pretty good in some parts, but not consistently. "
— Katryn, 1/29/2014" I really liked this book. It mirrored many American born Asians struggles for their identity. I really connected with the main character. The book also explored "sacred Cow" issues, like gays. It was really enlightening and fun to read. It took me through an emotional, hormonal rollercoaster that I haven't been able to see for a while. "
— Klymene, 1/23/2014" Very good! I liked how it dealt with issues like jealousy and coming to terms with cultural identity while still remaining fun. "
— Brooke, 1/16/2014" this book is so good that kaavya viswanathan lifted entire passages of it for her book "how opal mehta got kissed, got wild, and got a life," and when i read the latter i actually recognized where they were from. "
— Kricket, 1/15/2014" Don't know what you got til it's gone. How to blend many cultures and feel okay about it. What to do when a boy breaks your heart. Why parents are the best people in the world. How music can make a soul come alive. "
— Avisha, 1/12/2014" I like Tanuja Desai Hidier's style of writing, but it is too adult for the content of her book. "
— Jill, 1/5/2014" REALLY GOOD! It was took a little while before I really got into it but once I did it was so good! "
— Cali, 12/29/2013" This book is okay but I found characters to be based on stereotypes which made them annoying, and this book contains so many awkward scenes. I would not recommend this book to anyone. "
— Lavanya, 12/19/2013Tanuja Desai Hidier was born and raised in the United States. She has worked as a filmmaker and a magazine editor. She now lives in England where she is the lead singer/lyricist in a rock band.
Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. She has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career. With over four hundred titles to her credit, her narration spans nearly every genre, from nonfiction to mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and children’s fiction. AudioFile magazine says, “Marguerite Gavin…has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion.”