Indian Country - a moving story of an immigrant couple.

Janavi and Sagar are both from the town of Varanasi, India, close to the Ganges River. Janavi is an independent woman dedicated to helping children. Sagar is a hydraulic engineer who has been fascinated by rivers since childhood. After Sagar is hired to work on a dam removal on the Cotton River in Montana, he marries Janavi, honoring family duties, even though they'd never met before. The couple, who barely speak to one another, make the journey to America. Sagar develops friendships with a few colleagues, including Renny, who is a member of the local Native American tribe. Janavi and Sagar's struggle to adjust to their new life takes a turn when a death occurs in the river, leading to a murder mystery. Threaded throughout the novel are historical tales about the colonization of India and the American West. Set along the rivers, these allegories highlight the struggles of women. 

Shobha Rao's Indian Country is a deeply touching, beautifully written work of literary fiction. While it deals with the tough themes of colonization, racism, and violence against women, the book is a hopeful one. If you are looking to be swept away by a book as deep as the rivers, I highly recommend this one. 

Many thanks to Crown Publishing for providing an advance copy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Literary Fiction.

Publication Date: August 5, 2025.

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