Pratap Reddy’s Weather Permitting and Other Stories

Pratap Reddy first got involved with Diaspora Dialogues as a mentee back in 2008 as part of our (soon-to-be-relaunched) short form mentorship program. In 2012, he participated in our long form mentorship, writing and revising Weather Permitting and Other Stories, with the help of mentor Cynthia Holz.

After a few years of hard work and revisions on Pratap’s part, Guernica Editions picked up his first novel. Its official release date is Friday, April 1, but you can pre-purchase the book today from Guernica Editions or Indigo.

Weather Permitting and Other Stories is a collection centred around new immigrants—spirited people prepared to leave their home and hearth to travel to distant lands in pursuit of dreams of a better life. But often times there’s a reality check, and they are left to grapple with unexpected challenges: cultural shock, lack of Canadian work experience and jobs, absence of affordable daycare, and non-recognition of their educational credentials. Despite this, the stories show the determination of these immigrants to survive on alien soil.

Pratap Reddy is an absolutely terrific writer, both human and humane, and he writes about the immigrant experience with an unpretentious intelligence that captures both the anguish and wild humour of it.
—Elisabeth Harvor

Guernica Editions will be holding an official book launch on Sunday, June 4. Stay tuned for more details.

Congrats on all of your hard work and success, Pratap!