Our Best Intentions by Vibhuti Jain is a book that will have you second-guessing your own intentions and biases about the world and the people in it. As you read, you will become more and more immersed in the world of the Kitchewan community and its inhabitants.
I don’t usually enjoy domestic thrillers, but this novel offers so much more than what you’ll typically find in a domestic thriller. As I was reading, I was often reminded of the novel Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Although this novel is very different in its own right. Our Best Intentions also offers insight into individuals (especially second-generation immigrants) who find themselves torn between having to decide between two different worlds whether they want to or not. And that it’s not as easy or straightforward as people want to assume it is.
At first, I was frustrated that I wasn’t hearing more from characters like Chiara and her aunt Didi. However, once you get past page 200 or so, it will become clearer why this is the case and is what ends up making this novel more meaningful and insightful.
There were times I felt the narrative drug on a bit, which took me out of the drama and emotional turmoil that some of the characters were experiencing. This didn’t happen too often, but often enough to prompt me to question my belief in some of the characters and how they were developed at certain points during the story when they needed to be believed. At times, the characters were complex. But there were times when they seemed more one-dimensional.
Overall, I would recommend this novel to others due to its emotional and intellectual effectiveness. It will have readers contemplating their own biases and how they would (or have) navigated similar instances the characters in the novel experience. And that is incredibly valuable.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
For more information about this novel, see the summary of Our Best Intentions on Goodreads.
Find more of my book reviews on the blog and connect with me on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KE_Creighton.
Like this review? Leave a tip of $1 or more to show your appreciation. Every dollar helps keep this blog going. Thank you!