Passage West
Passage West
- Author: Rishi Reddi
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publisher: Ecco Press
- Published: 2020-04-21
A sweeping, vibrant first novel following a family of Indian sharecroppers at the onset of World War I, revealing a little-known part of California history
1913: Ram Singh arrives in California's Imperial Valley, reluctantly accepting his friend Karak's offer to come work on a small cantaloupe farm. Ram is unmoored: fleeing a traumatic incident in Oregon, he desperately longs to return to his wife and newborn son in India--but is duty-bound to make his fortune first.
In the Valley, civilization is still new and the rules are ever-shifting. Alongside Karak, his uncle Jivan, and Jivan's nephew Amarjeet, Ram joins in the struggle to make ends meet as a sharecropper in the unforgiving desert. The Valley is full of immigrants from other continents and the stakes are unceasingly high--just one bad harvest or unfair sale could destabilize the entire family. As anti-immigrant sentiment begins to rise among the white Valley residents, and as new laws are passed to support their position, all immigrants are threatened and there is murder in the air. The livelihood for which the family sacrificed everything is suddenly at risk. And when a simmering rivalry develops between Ram and Karak, the tensions of life in the West threaten to finally boil over.
In this unforgettable debut novel, Rishi Reddi unflinchingly asks the foundational question: Who is welcome in America? Atmospheric and richly told, Passage West offers a profoundly moving portrait of a cobbled-together family in search of belonging.
The More Than Words double bottom line: Every purchase provides hands on job training opportunities, and all revenue supports our nonprofit to empower youth to take charge of their lives.
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We offer standard and express shipping starting at $5.99. Live local? We offer local pickup on select items at our Boston Store and Mobile Bookstore location.
Returns
Returns
We accept returns within 30 days of purchase for a refund. Simply reach out to us if you have any trouble with your order.
Care Instructions
Care Instructions
We are here to help with any questions or concerns you may have at any time. Reach out to us and we can't wait to help!
can't find what you are looking for...
We Can HelpJoin our list to learn more about our mission We promise never to sell your information to another party and we promise we won't spam your inbox!