It explores many of the same emotional and cultural themes as Lahiri's Pulitzer Prize-winning short story collection Interpreter of Maladies.

The novel moves between events in Kolkata, Boston, and New York City, and examines the nuances involved with being caught between two conflicting cultures with distinct religious, social, and ideological differences.

The story begins as Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, a young Bengali couple, leave Kolkata, India, and settle in Central Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The delivery is successful, but the new parents learn they cannot leave the hospital before giving their son a legal name.

With many broken bones and no strength to move or call out, dropping the crumpled page is the only thing Ashoke can do to get the attention of medics looking for survivors.

Shortly before leaving for college, Gogol legally changes his name to Nikhil Ganguli.

During his college years, he smokes cigarettes and marijuana, goes to many parties, and loses his virginity to a girl he cannot remember.

After graduating from Columbia University, Gogol obtains a very small apartment in New York City, where he lands a job in an established architectural office.

At a party, Gogol meets an outgoing girl named Maxine, with whom he begins a relationship.

Eventually, Moushumi has an affair with Dimitri, an old acquaintance, the revelation of which leads to the end of their marriage.

As Ashima prepares to return to India, Gogol picks up a collection of the Russian author's stories that his father had given him as a birthday present many years ago.

The Daily Telegraph reported on reviews from several publications with a rating scale for the novel out of "Love It", "Pretty Good", "Ok", and "Rubbish": Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Times, Independent, Observer, Sunday Times, Independent On Sunday, Spectator, and TLS reviews under "Love It".