Thrity Umrigar: The Museum of Failures

Thrity Umrigar joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES, which is set in India. It’s a Bookreporter Bets On selection, as was her previous book, HONOR. In it, Remy Wadia has come back to India from his home in Columbus, Ohio, to adopt a child; a young woman who his friends know is pregnant and wants to give up her child. Remy is conflicted about this trip as he has had a long, contentious relationship with his mother, and this is his first time back in India since the death of his father, who was his champion. He and his dad shared a warm loving relationship. His mom was colder and more guarded with him.

Thrity talks about her plotting and the building of her characters, as well as the multiple references to “the museums of failures” in the book. Like Remy, Thrity is Parsi, part of a very small sect, and she delves into their history. There is also a discussion about how infrequently many Americans contemplate the nuances of the larger world, and how little is taught in school about much of it.

Book discussed in this episode:

THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES by Thrity Umrigar

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-museum-of-failures

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