The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny is the latest novel by Kiran Desai. Desai is one of my favorite authors and this latest epic novel doesn’t disappoint.

Sonia, cold and lonely, studying far from her home in India at college in Vermont finds herself pulled into a relationship with an older artist who at first captivates her but then slowly begins to drive her into an even deeper isolation and depression. Sunny is struggling with corruption within his family in India, while trying to find his own place in the world outside of their grip. When the two meet unexpectedly and are drawn to each other, they realize their families had once tried to make a match between them. This drives a wedge between them and they are both off on their own journeys spanning continents across America, Europe, Mexico and India. Desai has created an epic tale, a journey of both the hero and heroine, bringing to light questions of family, place, culture, identity, isolation, art, and more.

A beautifully written novel that will fully transport you to another place and keep you thinking about Sonia and Sunny long after you finish the last page. Highly recommended.