The story is bestseller by an Indian author. `Inscrutable Americans` is basically a humorous story concentrating on the mishaps and misadventures of a village Indian in the USA, and many true observations, which are humorously told in a nice way. This book was written way back in late 80s. There are some things, which were strange at that time but now days these don`t look strange as lots of foreigners stays in India. The author has portrayed the then America and moreover the perception of an Indian very nicely.
Delhi born Anurag Mathur was educated at Scindia School, Gwalior, St. Stephen`s College, Delhi and also at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. He is a journalist in the print and electronic media as well. Music, eating out and tennis are the prime interest in Anurag Mathur`s life. He is popularly known for his novel `The inscrutable Americans`. This novel often described the comical adventures of a young Indian student who are freshly arrived in the United States. It was a best seller by an indian author. He has made a career in journalism and publishing and contributes to various Indian magazines and newspapers. He is also the author of a travel guide called 22 days in India.
Synopsis:
The story starts from a point where a small town boy from Jajua in India arrives in America for studies. He wanted to do a higher diploma in chemical engineering so that he can improve his family business of making hair oil. He talks about his experience in Eversville and in general his experience of a different culture. Eversville is a small town in USA where his college is located. He sees the difference between the life style of Indians and the life style of Americans. This book competently captures the cultural and social difference in a very nice way. He finds some of the Americans very strange. He doesn`t understand why they have made wooden houses instead of concrete houses. He doesn`t understand why American women are so different from American girls. His English is disastrous and he conveys confidently in his style. He never feels ashamed of his ignorance. His writing letters to his brother, bargaining with sales girl at malls are really hilarious. He also sees some serious things in America. He finds a black American in his college. That person takes him to their colony in America and there he sees a poor and dirty America. He sees how black Americans live in a very piteous environment. He came to know that America only preaches others about humanity they themselves don`t follow it. When the boy visits his friend Randy`s house, he finds his mother very sweet. Her attitude attracts him a lot. He also came to know that fundamentalists are not only present in third world. They are very much active in America also. He also takes another aspect of girlfriend boyfriend relation and the behavior of women in an explicit manner.
New world Library in the July 1997 published the `Inscrutable Americans` written by Anurag Mathur.
