Anagram Destiny - by Grishma Shah (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When Aanya arrives in India, ready for a new beginning, she is in awe of the glitz and glamour of expat living. But on her very first day, in the still of her apartment, tears salt her welcome cake. The cake is supposed to be a celebration, a symbol of her career accomplishments, a salute to her triumphs-and yet she has never felt more alone, not even on her darkest days.

Luckily, when she pitches her work to Abhimanyu, the self-made, down-to-earth Director of Events at the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai, he is charmed. But before Aanya can find the strength to reciprocate, she is thrust into reconciling her past: a coming of age at a roadside motel in Georgia, where her Indian-immigrant parents and their best friends manifest the American dream by turning over a thirty-four-room motel as their children, Aanya and Ayaan, develop a bond and fate as entwined as their anagrammed names. Now, in Mumbai, thousands of miles from home, can the fear of another loss help Aanya move forward?

Review Quotes

"Grishma Shah writes an achingly beautiful story of lost love . . . While Anagram Destiny takes us on a journey through loss and grief, it is ultimately a compelling story of hope and of second chances." --Joani Elliott, author of The Audacity of Sara Grayson

". . . Shah weaves together narratives of earlier immigrant generations and their different journeys to the US. She captures well the nuances of the sacrifices, the pain and the joy those parents experienced, seeking a better safer future for their kids. Complex, thought-provoking, original, and unpredictable, Anagram Destiny is a testimonial to the struggle, resiliency, and triumphs of a generation of immigrants."--Lainey Cameron, author and host of The Best of Women's Fiction Podcast

"Anagram Destiny is a poignant immigrant story that delves into the deep-seated pains prompting people to seek refuge in a new land. Through its vivid storytelling, I was transported to India, experiencing its rich sights, scents, sounds, culture, and architecture from the comfort of my living room. This novel is a profound exploration of love and grief, offering a heartfelt and immersive journey that stays with you after the last page is turned." --Beth Biss, author of Redolent

"Aanya and Ayaan are endearing characters who immediately grab your heart and attention. Yet theirs is more than a simple love story; woven across continents and decades, it encompasses the real-life impact of terrorism, the nuances of cultural identity, the arc of grief, and the possibility that one can reinvent oneself. A book you won't quickly forget." --Jude Berman, author of The Die and The Vow

"In a complex, often dark, sometimes terrifying world, it is good to know we can take comfort in new love, that the heartaches of adulthood have roots in tender youth, and that there are storytellers, like Grishma Shah, ready to capture both the hard reality of our world and the sweet bonds that hold us together." --Alida Winternheimer, author of A Stone's Throw and the Story Works series

"Nestled in a tale of both the American Dream and the new and emerging Indian Dream, Shah's debut is a moving story about a woman's search for renewed hope. Readers everywhere will root for Aanya in this inspirational and emotionally charged story that captures the power of new beginnings."--Saumya Dave, author of Well-Behaved Indian Women and What a Happy Family

"Shah brings together two love stories that serve as brilliant mirrors for one another . . ." --Kirkus Reviews

"Through vivid prose that delicately navigates between two of contemporary history's most devastating tragedies, Grishma Shah crafts a visceral narrative of strength, vulnerability, and the enduring power of the human spirit that will resonate with readers everywhere." --Veena Rao, author of The Purple Lotus

"Anagram Destiny is a sweeping story of an immigrant family, love, loss and new beginnings. At once heartbreaking and hopeful, it is a book to be cherished and contemplated, long after the final chapter."
--Madi Sinha, author of At Least You Have Your Health and The White Coat Diaries

"Anagram Destiny is an expansive novel that explores identity in a unique and immersive way. Grishma Shah adds to the cannon of Indian American fiction in how she is able to fully capture the challenges and blessings of dual cultural identity."
--Namrata Patel, author of Scent of a Garden and Candid Life of Meena Dave

About the Author

Grishma Shah was inspired to write this story not only as a daughter of Indian immigrants who spent part of her childhood growing up in motels/convenience stores but also as an expert on culture and globalization. After spending years as an academic in New York City publishing, researching, traveling, and teaching, she believes that nothing educates, enlightens, informs, or propels us forward like a good story, which is why she moonlights as a storyteller. Shah works in New York City and lives in Monroe Township, New Jersey, with her husband and two daughters.