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)
"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."
“Compelling and witty…Gives voice to a new generation of Americans.”
“Complicated, chaotic, and absolutely charming.”
“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.”
“Narrator Gavin gives a rousing performance. She handles the accents with aplomb—Indian, British, American—individualizing each character…Gavin’s stellar performance is impressive.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“[A] feast for the senses, creating a reading experience that is unusual in YA literature today.”
" 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 "
" 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... "
" 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. "
" Meh. Pretty good in some parts, but not consistently. "
" 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. "
" Very good! I liked how it dealt with issues like jealousy and coming to terms with cultural identity while still remaining fun. "
" 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. "
" 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. "
" I like Tanuja Desai Hidier's style of writing, but it is too adult for the content of her book. "
" REALLY GOOD! It was took a little while before I really got into it but once I did it was so good! "
" 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. "
" In my opinion, this book had it ups and downs. It had very poor grammar and a very absurd plot line. Even though it was sometimes hard to understand, I think that it is the moral of the book that makes me want to rate it three stars. "
" Interesting and cute little love story.. "
" Poor Dimple LaLa! Her best friend is kind of a ho. "
" I did not like this book at all "
" I wanna go dancing! "
" Different look on modern society. "
" I really luved this book, it touched my heart! Srry Im being dramatic, but its the truth, I luved it! "
" This was a fantastic read of a teenage Indian girl rebelling against her parents choice of a suitable boy. It was well characterised and very emotional in parts. "
" This was an interesting story about an Indian girl growing up. I can't remember much about it, but I do know that I enjoyed it, it was easy to follow, and that I would recommend it to others. "
" I have been searching for this book for years! I read and loved it in high school. I forgot the title but came across it at the library when I was living in Chicago. I forgot the title again but not the book. I am so glad to find it again and look forward to checking it out as soon as possible. "
" i thought it was a really good book. it was very easy for me to feel connected to dimple and it takes u inside a truly confused girl. "
" This book is really long but still good. It was really slow in the beginning but it slowly got better and better untill I was at the edge of my seat. "
" Excellent writing, just didn't like it that much. "
" An overall well written teen-angst type bit with the cultural flair of India thrown in for a book like no other. A truly unique read that accurately portrays modern teenagers. "
" really really good book. helped me with my own Born Confused issues. lots of heart and wisdom. little bit disappointed with the romantic bend of the ending. but aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawesome! "
" This book was difficult at times because of the Indian perspective but I really enjoyed it. A great book about finding your identity and learning to embrace your culture as well as finding your place in the world. "
" First book I read with a South Asian heroine. It rocked my socks, though it was a little ridiculous at certain points.Still, a solid YA book "
" One of those books that just always sticks with me for some reason. "
" A book that defines the struggles of an ABCD (wink to all desi's) teenager! "
Tanuja 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.”
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