Unaccustomed Earth
What is a short summary of the story, Hell-Heaven, from the collection, Unaccustomed Earth?
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In “Hell-Heaven,” Usha recounts her family’s experiences with Pranab, a recent Indian immigrant to Cambridge, Massachusetts, who fast became a family friend. Bright, friendly, and social, Pranab became irresistible to Usha’s mother, who fell in love with him. Her feelings were never acted upon, nor were they returned. Usha’s mother became heartbroken when Pranab married a white girl named Deborah. Usha disliked Deborah intensely, especially whenever Pranab brought Deborah around. Years later, Pranab cheats on Deborah, and Deborah takes comfort in speaking to Usha’s mother.
When Usha deals with her own heartbreak, her mother reveals that following Pranab’s marriage, she intended to commit suicide by lighting herself on fire in the backyard. She was stopped by a neighbor who happened to come outside at the right time.
Unaccustomed Earth