New Novel Tells a Whale of a Traveler's Tale (Minus the Whale)
The Californer/10314656

LOS ANGELES - Californer -- Indian-born author Sharon Arpana Edwards recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her becoming a US citizen with the release of her debut novel, Gullible Travels. The fast-paced comedy depicts a world tour with a twist. Inspired by an international beauty pageant, the solo female protagonist embarks on a quest to discover which nations feel most superior and why.

Sometime during the odyssey, our modern-day Odysseus is shipwrecked on an enchanted island. Later aboard an ocean liner, she becomes embroiled in a misadventure involving a handsome stranger, a celebrated detective, and a priceless stolen artifact. Her interactions with the publisher who buys her travel journal form the book's subplot.

"I've always enjoyed writing comedy," said the author when asked why she chose this genre for her debut novel. "I hope my many hours of writing pleasure will provide the world with many hours of reading pleasure."

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A lifelong lover of literature, Edwards holds MA's in English and Creative Writing. Her novel is sprinkled with literary allusions, from the title to the opening sentence: "Call me Lemuelle."

"I was only telling the story as I felt it should be told," she explained. "But in hindsight, I hope the allusions will inspire younger readers and aspiring novelists to pick up the great literary classics, which shape us as writers and as human beings."

Edwards, who moved to Los Angeles from Mumbai in 1999, became a naturalized US citizen on April 29, 2005. Her first book, Pioneer Boulevard, a collection of stories set in LA's Indian community, explored the themes of immigration and acculturation. The 2023 Tenth Anniversary edition includes a bonus Q&A section with book insights and writing tips.

Gullible Travels is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and elsewhere. For bookings, please contact the author via her website, sharonarpana.com.

Product Details
Title: Gullible Travels
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
ISBN: 978-0989323376
Pages: 304
Trim Size: 5.5" x 8.5"
Binding: Trade paperback
US Retail Price: $20.00