There is a diversity of South Asian voices in
The Banyan and Her Roots. The durable, predictable themes of our world emerge small rebellions, forbidden or simply problematic love, the indifference of power, and the tug of family ties against the siren song of opportunity but there is little to justify the lavish promotional quotes on the cover. Still, disappointment is the lot of any reader of a short story collection, since we will inevitably disagree with the particular taste of the compiler. Perhaps it’s best to remain politely silent on the sub-par stories in this lot and pick up some that have pith to them.