Umrigar masterfully portrays the suffocating grip of tradition on individual lives in India. Meena's story lays bare the brutal reality of honor violence and the ostracization faced by those who dare to defy societal norms. Smita, despite her Western upbringing, also grapples with the expectations embedded within her own family history.

The novel explores love in its multifaceted forms, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of navigating cultural and religious differences. Meena and her husband's forbidden love story reveals the brutal consequences of transgressing societal boundaries. In contrast, Smita's budding relationship with Mohan showcases a more modern approach to love, where individual choice and freedom play a central role.

Both Smita and Meena embark on journeys of self-discovery, striving to reconcile their identities in a society that attempts to define them. Smita, caught between her Indian heritage and her American life, grapples with guilt, responsibility, and a sense of belonging. Meena, stripped of her family and former life, must rebuild her identity based on her own terms.