PDF The Invitation: A Novel

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I thought towards the end the action was slightly ridiculous- especially in comparison to the rest of the book. Everything was just tied together so neatly. If you are interested in periods such as the Gilded Age, then this book rich in detail, with long descriptions of the lavish and opulent lifestyle of millionaires, you will fully appreciate.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release Nov 27, Kathy rated it liked it. I found it to be a bit slow and drawn out and not as much substance as previous books. Dec 04, Leanne Lovegrove rated it it was amazing. I loved reading about and learning of the Gilded Age in New York, fascinating period of time.

Nov 12, Sarah rated it did not like it.

I remember enjoying Belinda Alexandra's early books so I was looking forward to enjoying this one. Sadly, either my memory is foggy or her writing has deteriorated greatly. I found this book horrible to read, and I gave up trying about a quarter in and just skimmed the story to see if the ending satisfied it didn't. It's about a poor Parisian girl, Emma, a struggling but brilliant writer, who is promised that all her debts will be cancelled if she assists her ridiculously rich by estranged siste I remember enjoying Belinda Alexandra's early books so I was looking forward to enjoying this one.

It's about a poor Parisian girl, Emma, a struggling but brilliant writer, who is promised that all her debts will be cancelled if she assists her ridiculously rich by estranged sister and her niece in New York. A lot of reviews of this book have mentioned that it is a glittering representation of America's Gilded Age, and it certainly is big on gold and jewels and gleam.

I imagine the author was going for opulent. I found I needed to suspend reality entirely to swallow it. My biggest issue was the writing. There is no show, don't tell. In fact it's written where every movement, action, emotion and perceived emotion is written in childlike and boring detail. Is it meant to be journalistic? It just feels poorly done and treats the reader like they're stupid. There are so many naff turns of phrase like "my heart skipped a beat", "my heart was in my mouth", etc. On one page the main character has eaten a large meal now that she's rich and not having to chase mice around Paris sewers for a meal that doesn't actually happen, I would have liked it to though and she comments "It was going to take a lot of walking around New York to work off all this food".

If you're going to write a book set in the late 19th century don't use 21st century mentalities. I am sure no one thought or spoke like that in those times. Disappointed and won't read Alexandra again. Nov 26, Lauren rated it it was amazing. Belinda is a masterful storyteller and this was a beautifully written book.

Emma is an author, but when her grandmother dies she is left with a debt. Caroline agrees to pay this debt if Emma moves to New York to help her niece, Isadora. I really enjoyed the relationship between Emma and Isadora. Without giving anything away, I loved the ending and was left satisfied when I finished the book! Oct 13, Sharon Jarvis rated it it was amazing. Set in the late nineteenth century in Paris and then New York it vividly portrays the Gilded Age of wealth and richness beyond belief with characters to match.

The extravagance of the houses matched by the clothes worn was incredible. While some of the wealthy characters display a social conscience there are many who are totally self-indulgent ignoring the increasing and poorer population in New York who are struggling to earn a decent income and live in rundown housing owned by the very rich. The main character Emma takes us on her journey from Montmartre to New York City where she discovers a lot about her sister, niece and most of all, herself. The story kept my interest throughout and at times was very gripping and intense.

A highly recommended read.

Thank you to Netgalley and to HarperCollins Publishers Australia for an ebook copy to read and provide an honest review. Dec 15, Margaret Galbraith rated it really liked it. It took me a few chapters to 'get into this book' but about a third of the way in I really began to enjoy it. There are so many twists and turns and Carole the evil sister never ceased to surprise me of what she was capable of doing to her sister and even more so to her daughter Isadora.

Carole and Emma her younger sister are like chalk and cheese. Emma after 20 years of not seeing Carole who has now made her mark in society in New York is summoned from Paris to help her prepare Isadora for comi It took me a few chapters to 'get into this book' but about a third of the way in I really began to enjoy it. Emma after 20 years of not seeing Carole who has now made her mark in society in New York is summoned from Paris to help her prepare Isadora for coming out into society! The evilness and heights Carole goes to just to be the best she can to keep in with the elite group in NY and prove she had the best house and the best of everything, is a stark contrast to poor Emma but we do not find out until near the end why this is the case between the two sisters!

No spoilers here but it's well worth a read if you like 19th century drama? Sep 19, Gloria Birdsall rated it really liked it. Emma has instant rapport with her niece but learns some dark and disturbing truths as she tries to establish a better relationship with her sister. Her new, luxurious life opens her eyes to the opulence and excesses of wealthy New Yorkers, but also eventually to the largely hidden inequality of the age. Aug 14, Rosa rated it really liked it.

At the turn of the century, the bohemian Paris scenes are in stark contrast to the excesses and lavish lifestyles of the upper class of New York. The author describes both these locations with detail and historical accuracy. When Emma finds herself at her sister's home in New York she is faced with challenges, unanswered questions and social situations completely foreign to her. H "The Invitation" is a tale of two sisters, long separated, set against a backdrop of two cities, Paris and New York.

The Invitation

How the story of the two sisters plays out makes for a compelling read. The author has, once again, skilfully woven a tale of secrets, mysteries and a touch of romance. A great read and highly recommended. Aug 30, Sandra W. Once more Belinda Alexandra transports the reader into another time and place with characters and situations so enthralling one is unable to put the book down.

The Invitation by Belinda Alexandra

Characters, situations and places are so well described they come to life through her in-depth research into psycholocical profiles, social customs, architecture, decor and fashion of the period. The cover-note in 'Gilded Ne Once more Belinda Alexandra transports the reader into another time and place with characters and situations so enthralling one is unable to put the book down. The cover-note in 'Gilded New York' gives the clue that 'not all that glitters is solid gold' - with intrigues and scandals aplenty.

Aug 08, Clare rated it it was amazing. The invitation is a heart-warming nostalgic novel that reminds us how important family really is. As with all of Belinda's novels you are quickly transported away to another era filled with decadence, opulence and whimsy - suddenly its 1am and you realise you are going to be late in the morning! The detail Belinda describes is a testament to her as a writer and has me wishing I'd seen gilded-age New York myself! A perfect holiday read or just curl up with a cuppa The Invitation is a must read fo The invitation is a heart-warming nostalgic novel that reminds us how important family really is.

A perfect holiday read or just curl up with a cuppa The Invitation is a must read for all woman, sisters and lovers of Belinda's books. Nov 08, Toni rated it really liked it Shelves: This is a beautifully descriptive novel set in France and New York at the turn of the 20th century. Societal hierarchy was in full swing but social reform was making headway. This is a story of two sisters who are caught up in both struggles, one who will stop at nothing to be the queen of New York society and the other who is struggling to be an independant woman in a male dominated world.

Oct 22, Tracey Russell rated it it was amazing. I loved The Invitation. I read it from cover to cover in two days as I could not put it down; I just had to find out what happened. Belinda is a master of creating worlds within worlds for the reader to become a part of, to watch the dynamics of the characters play out as if you were there witnessing the scenes unfold before your eyes. For Belinda Alexandra fans, this one's a must and for those who have not read any of her books yet, this is a great book to start on.

Dec 16, Heidi rated it liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Finally finished this novel. A busy time of year meant this took me a while to read and made it seem like a bit of a slog. Really, though, it is quite a good novel without being extraordinary. I liked the Gilded Age descriptions and the 'good triumphs over evil' premise was appealing. Sep 01, Linda rated it really liked it Shelves: Two estranged sisters living totally different lives, one as a struggling writer in Paris, the other who's life's goal is to be the head of society in New York.

Another wonderful historical novel by Belinda Alexandra. Nov 01, Julie Jane rated it it was amazing. Another wonderful book by Belinda Alexandra. I picked it up, and I couldn't put it down! I could have been in Paris or New York, so vivid were the pictures painted in my mind. It was fascinating, I learned so much about the time from the historical setting of the book. I loved the intricacies of the characters, and the relationships between them.

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Bill said: Reading The Invitation was another experience of time travel such as I read and reviewed Lucy Foley's debut novel, The Book of Lost and Found on. The Invitation has ratings and 86 reviews. Vanessa said: I really liked her other novel The Good Indian Wife, but this one didn't pull me in at all. Perhaps I.

An excellent read - 5 Stars, Highly recommended. Steph rated it liked it Dec 12, Marina rated it liked it Dec 15, Brenda Spencer rated it really liked it Dec 07, Had potential, but the characters are all unlikeable and keep expressing the same thoughts over and over and over again. Nov 30, Rosemary rated it liked it.

This is a Bollywood soap opera,the story of 4 Indian friends who met at UCLA and are seeing each other again at a son's graduation party. They are competitive, jealous, insecure and full of secrets as they approach this gathering together after so many years. The touches of humor and humanity keep the story going. Nov 22, Mathis Bailey rated it it was ok. DNF I was bored.

The plot doesn't go anywhere. I really liked her other novel The Good Indian Wife, but this one didn't pull me in at all. Perhaps I wasn't in the mood. I might revisit it and give a proper review. Oct 19, Lucia Idiata rated it really liked it.

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Enjoyed the book but not as much the ending. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I am a cover page person. I do judge a book by its cover. Though in this case, I was not drawn by its cover page, rather I picked this book on a whim, without any expectations.

And this book sure took me by surprise. This immigrant fiction is about a group of four friends, complete with their imperfections, the hidden truths, their insecurities and everyday real issues about family. The author takes time to dwell into the lives, I am a cover page person. The author takes time to dwell into the lives, present and past, of each of these characters. I was instantly drawn to their stories.

Frances and Jay or Jayant Bakshi are college sweethearts who married right after finishing college. They have three children — Mandy, Lily and Sam. Frances is a real estate agent, while Jay works in the middle management for a computer company. The couple, who considered themselves the best during college, is struggling to provide a decent lifestyle to their family while also trying to understand the dramatic change in their first born, typical of teenage years.

Vikram, the prodigious son of a farmer, starts his own computer company after completing his course at UCLA, and is a successful entrepreneur. Though successful in terms of money, he is battling his own childhood issues, imposing his aspirations on his MIT graduate son Nikhil. He is married to Priya; their marriage arranged by their parents.

Lali married Jonathon, a cardiologist and has a son Aaron. She finds herself distanced from her husband due to his new-found passion. All of them are going to meet after 25 years, so they are apprehensive about their relative success or failure in their personal and professional lives while also extremely curious to know about each other.

For most of the book, I loved the way the author has let the characters unfold for her readers. I found the writing rich and nuanced, while the narrative was engaging. The ending seemed a bit hurried though. There were quite a few unanswered questions and loose ends. A few questions which came to my mind at the end: I was sure he would decline.

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Why he never came back to marry Frances? Though he was not a major character in the book but his story remained incomplete. There should have been a logical closure. Somehow I got the feeling that he was a good guy but misunderstood. We never get to know. Like Frances and Jay, we have to assume that she wanted to break the stereotype, as pointed out by Nikhil; but we never get to know for sure. I have pointed out a few points but those are really not the big issues when you read the book. I definitely loved the book for the level of engagement it provides.

The first books are usually the best works. Feb 02, VaultOfBooks rated it liked it. They are more reluctant than enthusiastic to meet, however. For, after leaving UCLA with dreams of success and vast ambitions for what their children might achieve, things have not turned out quite as they had imagined. As their lives are cracked open in the course By Anne Cherian.

As their lives are cracked open in the course of an evening, the showmanship they anticipate from each other dissolves, revealing in its stead long suppressed vulnerabilities and betrayed hopes They pass out with their respective degrees, but do not remain in much contact with each other.

Until twenty five years later when Vic invites them to celebrate his son's graduation from MIT. They look at it as a reunion of sorts and accept the invitation, mainly out of curiosity about their friend's lives. The Invitation by Anne Cherian Jay, brought up in a rich Indian household, adapts to the American lifestyle more easily than the others, as he was more western and forward thinking.

Frances, a Goan, believed strongly in finding a match for herself. She did not ultimately complete her Ph. D after getting married to Jay, and getting pregnant. She ends up working as a Real Estate agent, and has not managed to sell even a single house in a year due to the declining economy. Meanwhile Jay works as a middle level manager. Neither of them achieved the success they had aspired for, and strive to make ends meet comfortably. Vikram, hailing from a small Indian village, knew very clearly what he wanted from life.

He started his own software company vikRAM Computers, and was an extremely successful businessman. Lali, who had an unfortunate sexual experience while at UCLA, had decided that there was to be no love in her life. However, after graduating, she met and got married to a Harvard-graduate Cardiologist. The story has been narrated in three parts: I was instantly enthralled by the intertwining lives of the four friends. Their imperfect lives and daily problems; and also their moral conflicts between abiding to their Indian roots and culture, and adapting to the modern ways of America made for a very real read.

The events that were set in India were also very true - from the high expectations of Indian parents from their children, to the nosy neighbours who are forever interested in the problems of others. On the downside, though, umpteen books have been written on the confused Indian lost in the big America.

The characters, too, are a bit stereotypical. Moreover, the ending was too abrupt and vague, and a bit too melodramatic, a lot like a Bollywood movie. However, these are my only complaints from the book. Overall, it was an enjoyable and interesting read. Originally reviewed at www. May 02, Marnie Kaplan rated it really liked it. Cherian writes such thought-provoking and compelling accounts of the Indian immigrant experience in the United States. The Invitation, allows her the opportunity to present four different accounts of this experience.

Frances is a Goan who was raised to believe in love matches and who schemed to find a way to study in the US. Jay grew up in a wealth Cherian writes such thought-provoking and compelling accounts of the Indian immigrant experience in the United States. Jay grew up in a wealthy Indian family that wanted him to accept an arranged marriage and return to India to work for a family friend, and has struggled economically in the US. Jay and Frances had easier initial transitions to the US than their two friends but twenty-five years later the former "golden couple" which united the foursome is struggling both personally and professionally.

In contrast, Vikram, the nerd who was one of the first to leave his small village in India and who embraced an arranged marriage, has been wildly successful in America. Lali took a totally different path, after a youthful sexual experience made her believe she would not be a suitable match for an arranged marriage, and moved to San Francisco and married a white man. While she has the trappings of success-- a Harvard-educated cardiologist husband and a son enrolled at Harvard--she is at a cross roads as an empty nester and feels disconnected in her marriage when her husband rediscovers his Jewish roots.

The four friends are forced to examine their divergent choices when Vikram sends out an invitation to a graduation party for his oldest son. I love reading about different cultures especially Indian culture. I was particularly excited to read about the Goan experience, as my former roommate's family is from Goa and it is something I'd like to learn more about.

Cherian is able to explain so much about the different castes and cultures in India through this one constrained narrative. The novel also vividly depicts the varied experiences of first generation Indian Americans and the conflicts between their dual cultures. For example, Vikram's son has followed the path his father has outlined for him. He studied hard, got into MIT and graduated with honors. But he has grown up in the US and wants to pursue his own passion.

Jay and Frances's oldest, Mandy, was once a gifted student but is floundering academically as she faces the stereotype that all Indians perform well. That one idea was something I wanted to read more about. I wish the story had given even more attention to the experiences of the children, possibly providing some of their own voices.

My other criticism is that I wanted more from the ending of the story. It was wonderful to see the four friends interact with one another twenty-five years later. And I understand some of the choices the author makes in terms of why she chose her open-ended closing, but I still longed for more of a neat wrap-up. Overall, I highly recommend both of Cherian's novels.

I was left wanting more closure for the characters, but I found them to be incredibly well-drawn and realistic. She does not complete her PhD, studies to become a real estate agent and starts working as one. They have three children Amanda, Lily and Sam. Lali Chacko is a Jacobite Syrian Christian from Cochin in Kerala, having studied in a girls school and college in Bangalore, studies to be a copywriter. She starts working and advertising and quits it when her only child, Aaron, is growing up. Sixteen years later, starts working as a secretary in the English department of a college.

Jonathan is a Jew who has rediscovered Judaism and is spending his free time attending classes or going to the synagogue. He gets married to Priya, a girl chosen by his parents and they have two sons, Nikhil and Nandan. He is a very successful person.

When Vikram invites his friends to Santa Barbara to the graduation his son does not want a party , they accept. They feel it would be a reunion of sorts after 25 years. It is time when they are undergoing crisis in their respective marries live, and deep inside, they all have something to hide from each other. When they go for the party, they come closer to their respective spouses and also open up to their friends. Each character has been described very well, I could actually picturise them and somewhere in each character, I felt there was a part that I could relate to.

Though, the book ends a little abruptly and left me wanting for more. A sequel would be apt and very welcome. But overall, a very interesting book. May 21, Larry H rated it liked it. All four had come to the U. All four expected to be tremendous successes in life and have even more successful children. Frances and Jay, who met during college, married shortly after graduation and had three children while Frances sold real estate and Jay worked in management.

Lali married an American cardiologist and the two had one son, and Vikram founded his own successful computer company and never stopped pursuing his desire to have colossal success. Twenty-five years later, Vikram has invited his old friends to attend a party celebrating his son Nikhil's graduation from MIT. And while Jay, Frances, and Lali decide to attend the party more out of curiosity than anything else, none of their lives have been as smooth as they believe Vikram's is. Frances, who abandoned the pursuit of her PhD when she started having children, now sells real estate, although she hasn't sold a house in more than a year, Jay's middle-management job isn't quite what he imagined he'd be doing, and their oldest daughter is failing 11th grade.

Lali's marriage is struggling as her husband begins to explore his neglected Jewish roots, and her son decides he wants to take a year off from college. And while Vikram is mostly concerned with the appearance of success, his son is not interested in pursuing the path Vikram feels he should. As the four prepare for the party and then meet at Vikram's mansion in Newport Beach, they need to decide how much truth they'll divulge to their friends, not realizing how the truth reveals itself in ways you never expect. The plot of The Invitation is certainly familiar, but Anne Cherian's adept storytelling hooks you quickly and immerses you in each of the characters' lives and struggles.

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I felt like Cherian did a good job in trying not to have her characters adhere to cultural stereotypes, although you see how easy it is to slip back into old habits. Ultimately, however, the story veered a bit into melodramatic territory, which I felt undercut the book's effectiveness.

I think Cherian is a very good writer, but it seemed to me that she lost a little steam as the book neared its end, although it is still an enjoyable read. May 04, Laura rated it really liked it Shelves: Vik invites his three college friends to come celbrate his son's graduation from MIT. Vik is extremely proud of his some and sees this as proof of his success as well as his son's. Unfortuantley, Nik does not want the party and has other plans for what he wants to do with his life and it doesn't include taking over his father's company.

Frances and Jay accept with hesitation, they are excited to see thier friends but are afraid as well. They thought that success would come easily to them but ins Vik invites his three college friends to come celbrate his son's graduation from MIT. They thought that success would come easily to them but instead they are struggling to make ends meet.

The one area that they thought they could brag about - their children is also not going to work. Their oldest daughter, is struggling in high school and a top college for her is no longer a possibility. Lali is also apphensive. While financially she and her husband are doing well, her personal life is another story. Her son is unsure if he wants to return to Harvard and her marriage is going through a challenge as her husband is rediscovering his roots.

She reaches out to an old flame and makes arrangements to see him before the party so she can see if the romance is still there. This is a story that looks at the lives of four Indian immigrants and the children that they raise in the U. Each of them had differnt backgrounds before heading to UCLA and each of them had the thought they they would be the most successful in their group of friends. But while this looks at the relationship between friends and family from the point of view of the Indian culture, it is very similar to how many people feel when reconnecting with old friends.

Each of them tries to put their best foot forward and gloss over the bad. I enjoyed this book because I think it was story that many people could relate to even if they are not familiar with Indian culture. Read as part of the Goodreads First Read program. Dec 05, Fleme Varkey rated it it was ok. Immigrant fiction always attracts a good readership, but Anne Cherian somewhere falls into a set pattern. Umpteen books have been written on the confused Indian in America syndrome. The Invitation by Anne Cherian belongs to that category. Thrown into the cauldron are a mix of Indians, influential and poor , a couple of stereotypes like Goans, South Indians, Jews and the virginity factor.

That is garnished with the perennial Indian parent concern-Is my child doing better than the neighbour's child Immigrant fiction always attracts a good readership, but Anne Cherian somewhere falls into a set pattern. That is garnished with the perennial Indian parent concern-Is my child doing better than the neighbour's child? It also brings out the Indians' obsession with big names. Frances and Jay are couple struggling to come to terms with their daughter Mandy's sudden change of form from rank holder to Cs and Ds. Lali and her Jewish doctor husband, Jonathan are coping with the empty nest syndrome as well as Jonathan's new fascination for the Jewish religion.

Vikram and Priya are handling a rebellious son who despite being an MIT graduate wants to be a cook. An idea that Vikram detests. Vikram holds a party on his son becoming a valedictorian. This party becomes a reunion of sorts as the three meet up after a year-gap and there begins the tale of unravelling the slender threads that bind these families.

The party makes them face their fears, which so long they had hidden by keeping up pretences.