Overview

When Tulasi Acharya returns home to Nepal from the United States to celebrate his daughter's first birthday, he does not expect his world to be turned upside down. But when his mother-in-law dies suddenly, a joyful reunion becomes a season of mourning-and a journey through the fragile space between life and death. As his wife grieves and observes traditional rituals, Tulasi finds himself caring for his father-in-law, whose health is rapidly declining. What follows is a deeply personal account of a son-in-law's struggle to balance love, duty, and distance-caught between two continents, two families, and two ways of being. Amid hospital visits, cultural expectations, and the crushing weight of unspoken truths, Tulasi wrestles with questions of masculinity, caretaking, and how to tell someone they're dying. Set against the lush yet turbulent backdrop of Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic, Like Water on Leaves of Taro weaves together themes of loss, resilience, identity, and hope. The memoir honors sacred rituals and everyday heartbreaks, from the thirteenth-day death feast to a father's wish to spare his daughter further grief. Through poetry, reflection, and memory, the author invites readers to witness the quiet strength of family, the complexity of Nepali culture, and the universality of sorrow. This is not just a story of illness and loss-it is a meditation on what it means to be human, to mourn, to endure, and to carry love forward in a world that feels constantly in flux. For readers of When Breath Becomes Air, The Year of Magical Thinking, and The Long Goodbye, Like Water on Leaves of Taro offers a moving cross-cultural perspective on grief, devotion, and the enduring lessons of death.

Full Product Details

9781964271286

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Mesmerizing and deeply human."" -The BookLife Prize ""Acharya's memoir shines with love and hope even in life's darkest places.""-Anthony Grooms, Georgia Writers Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning author ""A moving meditation on resilience, responsibility, and the fragile beauty of everyday life."" -Robert Gwaltney, award-winning author of The Cicada Tree ""A fresh, honest perspective on grief, family, and cultural tradition."" -Prakash Sayami, Nepali film director ""A health awareness toolkit woven into a family tragedy."" -Gita Tripathee, poet and literary critic ""Mastery of mystery and suspense grips the reader through the final page."" -Gopi Krishna Dhungana, Annapurna Post ""Meditative and literary... a yearning for meaning that lingers long after reading."" -Narayan Ghimire, Editor, RSS ""Heart-stopping and poignant... reveals the intimate process of death and ways to heal after great loss."" -Bridget Pupillo, Editor ""Simple yet profound reflections on life and death."" -Badri Prasad Dhakal, Author ""A poignant read that I highly recommend."" -Elizabeth Howard, Calhoun-Gordon County Library ""Quiet reflection on what gives life real meaning-good health, presence, and love."" -Kristine F. Anderson, author of Crooked Truth

Author Information

Tulasi Acharya, PhD, originally from Nepal, began his American journey in 2008. He holds a Master's in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University, a Master's in Women's Studies, and a PhD in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. He also earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College. Dr. Acharya currently teaches English at South Georgia State College. An accomplished multilingual author, Dr. Acharya has published over a dozen books across multiple genres. His debut English novel, Running from the Dreamland, received critical acclaim, and his bestselling Nepali novels, Mochan and Swapnabhumi, reflect his literary versatility in both Nepali and English. His academic and creative work has been published by leading publishers, including Routledge and Lexington Books, an imprint of Bloomsbury Academic.Dr. Acharya's short stories have earned honors such as the Certificate of Excellence from the University of New Hampshire and have appeared in numerous literary journals and newspapers, including The Kathmandu Post, The Himalayan Times, The Rising Nepal, and the MSU Roadrunner Review. His writing is driven by an unwavering passion for storytelling, cultural connection, and the written word. You can learn more about his work at: Website: www.tulasiacharya.comTwitter: @tulsiramesFacebook: facebook.com/apersonwithbhav

Tab Content 6

Countries Available