If You See Me, Don't Say Hi: Stories

By Neel Patel

A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice and an NPR Best Book of the Year

In eleven sharp, surprising stories, Neel Patel gives voice to our most deeply held stereotypes and then slowly undermines them. His characters, almost all of who are first-generation Indian Americans, subvert our expectations that they will sit quietly by. We meet two brothers caught in an elaborate web of envy and loathing; a young gay man who becomes involved with an older man whose secret he could never guess; three women who almost gleefully throw off the pleasant agreeability society asks of them; and, in the final pair of linked stories, a young couple struggling against the devastating force of community gossip.

If You See Me, Don't Say Hi examines the collisions of old world and new world, small town and big city, traditional beliefs (like arranged marriage) and modern rituals (like Facebook stalking). Ranging across the country, Patel’s stories -- empathetic, provocative, twisting, and wryly funny -- introduce a bold new literary voice, one that feels more timely than ever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jul 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781250183200

Neel Patel

Neel Patel is a first-generation Indian American who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. His debut story collection, If You See Me, Don't Say Hi, was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice and was long-listed for the Story Prize and the Aspen Words Literary Prize. He currently lives in Los Angeles. Tell Me How to Be is his debut novel.

Reviews for If You See Me, Don't Say Hi

[cariola_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Usually I enjoy novels and stories about the immigrant experience and the issue of first generation Americans. For example, I loved [The Namesake], [[Jhumpha Lahiri]]'s novel about a young Indian-American whose identity straddled two worlds. Patel's short story collection covers some of the same territory, but I found them much less appealing. Even more than they deal with ethnicity and intergenerational conflict, the stories focus on class and sexuality. A teenager who lives with his parents above their hotel compares himself to his wealthier classmates. A student destined by good grades and parental pressure is ashamed of his brother who drinks too much, abuses his wife, and hopes only to manage the hotel. A boy visiting his Indian family in Kenya falls in love with a houseboy. A woman who accuses her husband of being infertile thinks he has a mistress, only to find that he is donating sperm to a lesbian couple. An Indian-American college student falls for an Asian-American girl who, after great sex, dumps him; she ends up with a white man that, years later, he has the chance to take revenge upon. So lots of confused, angry, jealous people trying to find their place in the world, most of them not very successfully. I had a hard time empathizing with most of them.

[sidiki-8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a valid description of the plight faced by the Indian ( as well as all) immigrants in the US while trying to fit in with the mainstream kids And being embarrassed by the close knit Indian community. However I hope the sleeping around of young Indian girls is not that common as the author have us believe. In all 11 stories the protagonist is either a doctor or a motel owner and that can make the voice same in all the stories and to a point it has but the issues, the dilemmas faced by each are so engrossing and fun to read that that problem becomes minor. 1. The secret the wife shares with the reader is enthralling like a Bollywood movie. 2. True to life. The wife forgives her husband’s Infidelities again and again due to convenienc3. A successful doctor finds life has passed him by in the commitment compartment4. The relaying of the relationship is meticulously mapped out. how trust and honesty become the strongholds the protagonist adheres to and how those get shattered. 5. Interesting relationship of two brothers from youth to middle age. Did not understand the intimate embrace between his sister in law and himself. 6. I find this story quite far fetched. Male doctors being perverse, and looking for opportunities to get sexual favors is commonly known but female doctors? No I don’t agree. They can have flaws and insecurities but downright trying to get laid by any male? They have too much at stake to go that way. Women are thankfully not wired that way. However I liked how a man lower on the success ladder than her had more integrity.7. This is the one story I was most affected by. I have experienced such a scenario quite a few times and it is a torture to live with the aftermath of the mess I created. 8. In my eyes the protagonist becomes the hero when he blames himself for the sexual encounters he does not initiate but then plays along with it. Very subtle message9. The end was unclear to me10. And 11. Are like part 1 and part 2 of the story. Both their points of view are given. Great story and beautifully done.Eagerly waiting for his novel

[deeehmm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A nicely turned collection focusing sharply on the Indian-American experience, especially on characters on the verge of mainstream success. My favorite story is probably "Taj Mahal," a frenemy tear jerker--the main character, an outsider fiercely taking hold of inside privilege, represents a nondominant and slightly off-kilter point of view that broadens and deepens what might have been an unremarkable made-for-tv drama into a unique and devastating slice of American life. All the stories in If You See Me Don't Say Hi explore the "Taj Mahal" neighborhood--literally, in terms of its suburban setting, and literarily, in terms of themes and conflicts.

[debbiesbooknook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My TakeawayUp until around a year ago, I was not a huge fan of short story collections -- they're growing on me though. And when you read a collection such as, If You See Me, Don't Say Hi you begin to truly appreciate short stories! Patel does such an excellent job of breaking down many of the biases and assumptions we tend to have about Indian Americans or Indians living in America. I viewed each of his stories as a teachable moment or a lesson in empathy. Patel's stories included racism, sexuality, and religion (all sensitive subjects), but he does it full of compassion and with humor. Although I enjoyed every single story (they're honestly all great), the last two stories, World Famous and Radha, Krishna are my favorites. I loved how the last two stories are connected. I could definitely read an entire novel based on the couple (hint, hint). I absolutely look forward to this amazing author's future work!

[beamis12 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

LOVE AND LOSS, follow the characters in these eleven beautifully written stories. They follow various scenarios in the lives of characters of Indian descent, maintains their own customer, while navigating new lives in the states. The title story is so usual the one that stands out and concerns two brothers who once close fall out over a careless comment one of them makes. Their estrangement will last ten years.The last two stories are connecting stories, about a man and woman , once involved, and picks up at two different points in their lives. To be honest though, I enjoyed reading them all, which doesn't happen very often when reading g shorts. The Indian customs, culture, foods are explored iin different stories. An Indisn online dating service is featured in the first..The first offering by this author, and he is a very smooth writer, a natural storyteller. The stories flow, the prose gorgeous, with some wonderful insights. Looking forward to more from this author, and apparently he is now at work on his first novel.

[dknight0918 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful collection of short stories.