China Room: A Novel

"Sunjeev Sahota’s third novel has dual narratives: One set in 1929 Punjab (inspired partly by the author’s own family history) and told from the viewpoint of a young bride, Mehar, and one set in 1990s Punjab and England with Mehar’s great-grandson, known simply as S. Mehar is one of three new wives of three brothers; due to some unusual circumstances, none of the women know which brother they’ve married. Mehar tries to solve this husband mystery, which results in tragic events. Meanwhile, S. struggles to recover from an addiction linked to a difficult childhood in England where he deals with racism, violence and estrangement as the son of immigrant shopkeepers. The novel weaves back and forth smoothly to illuminate certain common themes and differences but doesn’t give in to easy answers."