The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev is a story about the complicated bonds and dynamics within families. It’s also about customs and empowerment.
My Overview
The Vibrant Years is a multi-generational family story about three women.
- Bindu: A widowed grandmother.
- Aly: Bindu’s daughter-in-law.
- Cullie: Bindu’s granddaughter.
Bindu and Aly have a close mother/daughter relationship. They even continued living together in Florida, after Aly divorced Bindu’s son. Cullie is a young adult living in California. She’s a successful app developer who struggles with anxiety. Although she now lives far from her mother and grandmother, the bond between them is strong.
When an unexpected event puts Bindu in a negative spotlight, and secrets from her past threaten to resurface, the three women do what they have always done best. They band together to support each other. As they face various challenges the dynamic of their relationship fluctuates, but their love and respect remains the same.
This is a multi-layered story, with various storylines slowly unraveling to create mystery throughout. As the storylines unravel, we slowly learn about the characters’ present day situations and background. I liked the vulnerable way in which the characters were presented, with flaws and all. Also, since the story’s told from the POV of Bindu, Aly, and Cullie we truly get to experience and appreciate their situations. Part of the story is told through journal excerpts at the beginning of each chapter, and I enjoyed that unique way of giving that character a voice.
Overall, I enjoyed this story well enough. It wasn’t quite what I’d expected, but I enjoyed the positive direction and growth the characters experienced. This story is a reminder that families are complicated. However, when life gets messy it’s family who is there for you.
My Recommendation
I read the Kindle edition, but wish I’d listened to the audiobook instead. Unfortunately, although I found the story interesting, it wasn’t engaging enough to keep me wanting to read. This is an instance where for me, the audiobook would’ve been better. Overall, I recommend this story. If you give this story a try but feel it’s dragging, give the audiobook a try. By the end, I think you too will appreciate having met Bindu and her family.
Have you read this story?
Dedra @ A Book Wanderer
Oooh, I have this one waiting on my kindle. Sounds like I might need to lower my expectations, which is fine. I’d rather go into a book with lower expectations than higher ones. 🙂 I hope you enjoy your next book more!
Lucy
Thanks 💛. I hope you’ll enjoy this story more than I did. Sometimes it’s a matter of timing too.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
Sorry to hear this wasn’t a better read for you. If I read it, I’ll take your advice and go the audiobook route.
Lucy
Thank you 💛. I hope you’ll enjoy the audiobook, if you get around to it.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
I think that a lot of books just seem to work better in audio. I will keep that in mind if I decide to pick this one up.
Lucy
I agree. Done well, audiobooks can truly bring the story to life.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Glad to hear you enjoyed the story overall. I don’t think I’ll add this one since it didn’t knock your socks off.
Lucy
Thank you 😊. I get it … so little time and all.
Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads
I’m curious about his since I haven’t read any multi-generational family stories before, but I think I’d indeed also would probably enjoy it more on audio.
Lucy
Definitely give the audiobook a try. It has multiple narrators.
Cindy's Book Corner
There are books where I wished I had started with the audiobook as well. Nice review.
Lucy
Thank you 💛. It does happen sometimes.
Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse
I can understand how this might be better listened to based on your comments. I would probably want to listen instead of read if I tried this one. Great review!
Lucy
Thank you 😊. The audiobook has three narrators, so I’d expect it to be pretty good.
Lark
Families are definitely complicated.
Lucy
They really are, and it becomes most obvious during family gatherings 😅.