The Reading List

Aleisha is uncertain about beginning Pride and Prejudice, as she doubts a period novel full of “frills and dresses” will have any impact on her (201). As she settles down to begin the novel one night, she hears Aidan pacing in his room above her, as well as what she thinks is crying.

Summer is winding down, and it is nearly time for Aleisha to begin university. She tries to party with some of her old friends from high school, but she feels out of place, unable to slip back into the carefree days of binge drinking and all-night partying. She becomes the designated driver: “She’d wanted to be the carefree binge-drinking liability for once. Instead, she’d been the sensible one—doing the right thing, looking after others” (205).

Mukesh is shocked to receive a message from Aleisha. She is excited that the Austen novel is just an engaging and just as inviting as the other titles on the list. Mukesh is just completing Life of Pi and finds inspiration in the character’s perilous and lonely journey to enlightenment. He feels that Pi’s journey was “arduous,” certainly, but “revelatory” as well (208).

Nilakshi joins him for dinner.