There were several moments where I almost gave up on this story. Almost all the characters are so lost and miserable, but it was all leading somewhere and I’m glad I stuck with it. The very end of the book has one of the most realistic mother-daughter conversations I’ve ever read, filled with all the complexities and misunderstandings two hurt people who also love each other can have. It’s also an Indian travel journal, filled with rich and sometimes brutal descriptions of life traveling as an American - both with and without money. It’s also a story about grief, and how differently we all go through that process. I have spent a lot of time in waiting rooms this month, and this book was a great companion, with a story I could (eventually) get completely immersed in.