When Vikram invites three ofhis college friends to his son's graduation from MIT, they accept out ofobligation and curiosity, viewing the party as a twenty-fifth reunion of sorts.Village genius
Vikram, now the founder of a lucrative computer company, ishaving the party against his son's wishes. Frances and Jay regret accepting:Frances, a real estate agent, hasn't sold a house in a
year; Jay's middlemanagement job isn't brag worthy; and their daughter is failing the eleventhgrade. Lali plans to hide the fact that her once-happy marriage is crumblingbecause her American
husband is discovering his Jewish roots. Each had leftUCLA expecting to be successful and have even more successful children. AtVikram's Newport Beach mansion, the showmanship they anticipate
dissolves aseach is forced to deal with his or her own problems. The follow-up to A Good Indian Wife, Anne Cherian's novel resonates with the poignancy ofreal life colliding with
expectations unmet.