Stories Of Nepali Immigrants

The In-betweeners by Khem K. Aryal consists of 13 stories, most of which revolve around the experiences of Nepali immigrants in America. These stories explore their daily lives, reflections, nostalgia, tensions, and mundane family matters, all shaped by the society they live in, the culture they come from, and the culture they interact with, as well as the politics of Nepal. Dr. Aryal, originally from Nepal, spent over a decade in the US as an international student and is now a professor, a role he also held in Nepal. He brings his personal experiences, reflections, and observations into many of his stories.

The characters in these stories face different struggles and hardships. While they may appear happy at times, a hidden dissatisfaction lies beneath their success stories. They often feel something is missing, despite their accomplishments. No matter how successful or luxurious their lives might have been in Nepal, they cannot replicate the same life in America. They work long hours from dawn to dusk to make ends meet, worrying about their cultural identity and how it affects their children—the second generation, born in America, who are influenced by a culture entirely different from the one their parents came from. This tension is brilliantly depicted in the story “American Son,” where the characters’ struggles with identity are palpable. Anyone, especially those from Nepal, can directly or indirectly relate to these stories.

For example, in “Laxman Sir in America,” Laxman Sir, who was once a respected teacher in Nepal, expects the same respect in America. However, an American, regardless of their junior status, calls him by his first name, which is considered disrespectful in Nepali culture. This cultural clash is portrayed beautifully, highlighting the nuances of immigrant life.

Another story, “Lost Country,” delves into the dilemma of whether or not to return to Nepal, reflecting the theme of dislocation in the lives of immigrants, reflecting on the idea of nationalism, patriotism, and missing home. “Rescued” examines familial tensions, reflecting on the difficulties of taking care of toddlers in America and dividing chores between husband and wife, emphasising how difficult it can be. Meanwhile, “Shopping for Glasses” illustrates the individualistic nature of American society. In Nepal, friends or relatives would likely guide you on which glasses to buy, but in America, the decision is entirely personal. These differences are subtly revealed through dialogue and character interactions.

In “Mrs. Sharma’s Halloween,” the cultural differences between immigrants and their American surroundings are explored. Mrs. Sharma, unfamiliar with Halloween, finds herself scared by the sight of children dressed as ghosts, while the children are perfectly at ease with the holiday. Over time, Mrs. Sharma comes to appreciate her grandchildren’s joy, signalling character development and adaptation to new cultural norms.

The story “The Lucky Plant” resonates deeply with the value of hard work, contrasting it with superstitions or beliefs in luck. Similarly, “The Social Worker” explores the immigrant experience of trying to maintain the same social status in a foreign land, a situation that often proves unworkable in reality. “American Son” reflects the generational gap and the struggle of immigrant parents to understand their children raised in a different cultural context. In “The Return,” Dharmaraj, an artist, struggles with the reality of not having time for leisure or cultural events, such as a concert featuring guests from Nepal. His decision to return to Nepal highlights the disillusionment of many immigrants who struggle with the realities of life abroad.

The collection captures the intricate, often painful, realities of immigrant life. The characters in these stories wrestle with their identities, torn between their home culture and the American culture they now inhabit. The author’s careful attention to dialogue and cultural nuances adds authenticity to the portrayal of Nepali immigrants in America.

The voice in Aryal’s stories resonates with an authentic and credible portrayal of true Nepali immigrants. Most of the characters, especially the protagonists, are originally from Nepal, and their conversations and dialogues reflect this reality in a way that is both natural and well-crafted. For example, typical Nepali phrases such as “oi hajur,” “dhila bhaisakyo,” “thukka mero hos,” “hera ta buddhi,” “Thulo Chhoro,” and “ke farak parch,” and so on are used. These expressions not only add depth to the characters but also provide an opportunity for English-speaking audiences to learn some Nepali, helping them understand Nepali culture better. Some of these phrases are directly used in Nepali, with translations provided or italicised to show how the characters speak and code-switch. This blending of languages and the careful choice of words create an authentic and relatable voice, allowing readers to connect with the characters, especially those from Nepal.

However, there are moments where the author could have developed the characters further or added more depth to the endings of some stories. Additionally, there are one or two typos, though these are minor and don’t detract significantly from the overall experience. Anyway, the collection is a passionate, compelling, and authentic representation of the Nepali immigrant experience.

Overall, The In-betweeners is a thoughtful and engaging collection that captures the complexities of living between cultures and navigating the challenges of identity, family, and belonging in a foreign land. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the immigrant experience, especially for those from Nepal.

 (Dr. Acharya is a writer and researcher.)