Everything Was Good-Bye (33 page)

As adults Liam and Meena rely on the intensity of their early relationship to strengthen their adult relationship. Their love in many ways resembles faith and represents the unconditional love that they had sought when they were young. They have an understanding and an acceptance of each other that is rooted in their mutual desire to belong with someone, and the fact that they choose each other regardless of the circumstance or consequence certainly qualifies them as soul mates. I’ve never thought about soul mates in the traditional sense. I think you can have many soul mates and the definition needn’t be limited to the romantic. A soul mate can be anyone you have a connection to, anyone whose impact has changed you or created a perspective shift. In that way, I think Kal may even qualify as one of Meena’s soul mates.
Lahiri, and Nicole Krauss.
A Fine Balance
and
The History of Love
are two books that I return to as examples of excellence. The writing is honest, beautiful, and humble. It doesn’t call unnecessary attention to itself. I admire those sensibilities in writing and in life.
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If I’m restricted to giving one piece of advice it is that talent can only take your writing so far. Writing a novel takes fortitude, stamina, and a willingness to learn through revision. Sometimes tenacity is just as important as talent. There are many gifted writers who don’t write because they simply cannot find the motivation to move through the entire writing process. They imagine the process should be easier than it is or they are too attached to the outcome and rush the process. But writing is like most other vocations, and to do it well you must exercise your talent and be willing to practise and learn from others. ■

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. The death of Meena’s father left the family in a tough situation—a single mother struggling to raise six daughters in a new country. Discuss how her father’s death shaped Meena’s relationship with her mother.

2. Meena is the youngest of six daughters and in many ways has experienced more freedom than her other sisters. Do you think they feel any jealousy or resentment toward her?

3. Liam confides in Meena that he went to see his mother after she had abandoned the family. Do you think that was a mis-take on his part?

4. Meena’s sisters Serena and Harj both experience what could be seen as a betrayal of trust by their mother. Serena is sent home to her husband who assaulted her, and Harj’s insistence that she didn’t willingly get into a car full of men fell on deaf ears. How do you explain Serena’s and Harj’s different reactions to this betrayal?

5. Marriage plays a large role in the lives of many of the characters. What does the author reveal about each of the characters through these relationships?

6. Before they’re married, Sunny admits to Meena that he still cares for his ex-girlfriend, Jasmine, and that his parents wanted to keep him away from her. In what ways do you think his feelings for Jasmine affected his feelings for Meena? Do you think he would have ever loved Meena?

7. When Meena learns that she is carrying Liam’s child, she tries to hide the truth from Sunny. Could she have handled the situation better? What would you do in her position?

8. When Meena unexpectedly runs into Harj at the store, they agree to sit down for coffee. During this reunion, there are a number of awkward moments with many things left unsaid. Do you think Harj will ever reconcile with her mother? Is the bond between sisters unbreakable?

9. Do you believe that Meena will one day marry Kal? Discuss what reasons Meena might have to change her mind? What could be her reasons to continue their current relationship?