Critical Praise

"Rich prose and vibrant descriptions of India…The Weight of Heaven is a bold, beautifully rendered tale of cultures that clash and coalesce."

—Booklist (starred review)

"Powerful…Twisty, brimming with dark humor and keen moral insight, The Weight of Silence packs a wallop on both a literary and emotional level…Umrigar is a master of delineating the ethical lines Frank and Ellie cross, with, at least at first, the best of intentions…Umrigar, a journalist for the Boston Globe, is a descriptive master."

—Christian Science Monitor

"Umrigar carries a burden as heavy as the title by using a tale of personal tragedy to depict the balance of power in global economics…Her observations are dispassionate and astute enough to deliver at both levels. This is a morality tale tuned to our times."

—Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Umrigar continues her exploration of cultural divides in this beautifully written and incisive novel about an American couple’s experience in India…Umrigar digs into the effects of grief on a relationship and the many facets of culture clash --- especially American capitalism’s impact on a poor country --- but it is the tale of how Frank’s interest in Ramesh veers into obsession and comes to a devastating end that provides the gripping through line. Umrigar establishes herself as a singularly gifted storyteller."

—Publishers Weekly (starred review)