Mira Acharya's life is irrevocably altered when her father dies, intensifying the already complex challenges faced by her Indo-Canadian family. Her older brother, Ravi, who is autistic, requires significant care while yearning for normalcy. Their mother juggles full-time work to maintain their home with the demands of parenting both an overachieving daughter and a developmentally challenged son. Mira, despite her love for her family, resents the limitations their circumstances impose on her own life. It is only as she matures that Mira begins to understand that the bonds holding her unconventional family together are, in fact, universal.

Shashi Bhat's debut novel, 'The Family Took Shape,' is characterized by its touching, hilarious, and endearingly honest portrayal of a unique family's search for happiness. The narrative delves into the intricacies of the Indo-Canadian immigrant experience, focusing on the profound impact of a father's death on a family already navigating the challenges of raising a child with autism. Readers are likely to connect with Mira's journey of resentment and eventual understanding, appreciating the universal themes of love and familial bonds that Bhat weaves throughout the story. The novel is noted for its authentic voice and its ability to find humor and heart in the everyday struggles of its characters.