If You See Me, Don’t Say Hi by Neel Patel

Genre: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Multicultural, Contemporary If You See Me, Don’t Say Hi by Neel Patel is a powerful and empathetic collection of eleven short stories highlighting the nuanced experiences of first-generation Indian-American lives in the U.S., navigating love, family, identity, and belonging. 📖 Synopsis Through these interconnected narratives, Patel portrays characters—siblings, friends, lovers—whose lives are shaped by cultural expectations, personal heartbreaks, and the struggle to reconcile tradition with modernity. Settings shift between small Midwestern towns and major cities, where arranged marriages clash with dating apps, cultural heritage meets new-world aspirations, and hidden secrets erupt into emotional reckonings. Each story dives deep into pivotal moments—estrangement between brothers, a gay love affair challenged by secrecy, and a couple weighed down by gossip and judgment—as characters confront the gap between expectation and authenticity. 🔑 Key Themes

• Culture Clash and Identity – Characters balance the old-world traditions of their immigrant families with the freedoms and pressures of American life.
• Love in Many Forms – From first love to heartbreak, infidelity and longing, romance is raw, complex, and unfiltered.
• Family Bonds & Tensions – Sibling rivalry, parental expectations, and generational friction come vividly to life.
• Breaking Stereotypes – Characters defy “model minority” clichés by embodying moral ambiguity, emotional depth, and imperfect humanity.

💡 Why Read It?

• Fresh, Compassionate Voice – Patel’s writing blends empathy with sharp insight into immigrant experiences and internal conflict.
• Emotionally Resonant Stories – Tender, melancholic, and occasionally laced with dark humor, each piece strikes a powerful chord.
• Culturally Timely – Tackles themes of gender, sexuality, tradition, and modern pressures in a way that feels both intimate and universal.
• Critically Acclaimed – A standout debut that explores identity and longing with honesty and elegance.

If You See Me, Don’t Say Hi is a poignant exploration of underrepresented voices—a literary debut offering glimpses into moments of transformation, loss, and self-discovery in the lives of young America-bound immigrants.