The Babu, along with a good many baffled readers in India, has been wondering why Ali and Lahiri are so sensitive about the whole Indian thing–Indian critics, Asian origins, et al. This was before he learned that someone actually asked Monica Ali: “Were you raised black or white?” (Link found on Maud Newton.) And before he read the opening lines of this Lahiri/ Hariharan review (that’s right, pair two books that have pretty much zilch in common on account of the national origins of the authors). “You don’t have to read science fiction to experience alien worlds. They can be just beyond your doorstep, as shown by two new and notable novels from writers of Indian heritage.” (Link found on Bookslut.) Just call me Hurree Babu, resident alien, from now on.