Who Are The Main Characters In 'Tell Me How To Be'?

2026-03-08 06:26:23
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4 Answers

Kara
Kara
Helpful Reader Mechanic
'Tell Me How to Be' by Neel Patel is this beautifully messy family drama that sticks with you—the kind where everyone’s flawed but trying. The story revolves around Akash, a queer Indian-American man who’s grappling with his identity, his fractured relationship with his mom, and this lingering guilt about his past. His mother, Renu, is just as compelling—she’s stuck between traditions and her own unfulfilled dreams, hiding secrets that unravel as the book progresses. Then there’s Bijal, Akash’s brother, who’s the 'golden child' on the surface but has his own struggles with perfectionism.

The secondary characters, like Akash’s ex-boyfriend Eric and Renu’s old flame Kareem, add so much texture to the story. Eric represents this 'what could’ve been' for Akash, while Kareem forces Renu to confront choices she made decades ago. What I love is how Patel makes you feel for every single one of them—even when they’re making terrible decisions. The book’s strength is in how it shows family as this tangled web of love, resentment, and missed connections.
2026-03-09 10:46:03
9
Knox
Knox
Plot Explainer Worker
The main trio in 'Tell Me How to Be'—Akash, Renu, and Bijal—are so vividly drawn that they feel like people you know. Akash’s sarcasm hides his pain, Renu’s rigidity masks her loneliness, and Bijal’s polished exterior cracks under pressure. Their interactions are loaded with years of unsaid things.

Kareem and Eric, though secondary, deepen the themes of love and regret. Kareem’s reappearance shakes Renu’s carefully built world, while Eric’s brief mentions remind Akash of what he walked away from. It’s a story about the weight of choices, told through characters who are gloriously imperfect.
2026-03-10 03:41:59
12
Kieran
Kieran
Bookworm Sales
If you’re into character-driven stories where no one’s purely good or bad, 'Tell Me How to Be' is a gem. Akash is the emotional core—he’s witty, self-destructive, and so achingly real. His journey back home after his father’s death forces him to face his mom, Renu, who’s this complex mix of sternness and vulnerability. Their dynamic is the heart of the book. Bijal, the older brother, seems like he has it all together, but you slowly see the cracks—his marriage is shaky, and he’s drowning in expectations.

Renu’s flashbacks to her youth in Kenya and her arranged marriage add layers to her present-day stubbornness. The way Patel writes her makes you oscillate between frustration and empathy. Even smaller characters, like Akash’s cousin Meena, who’s dealing with her own cultural clashes, feel fully realized. It’s one of those books where the characters linger in your mind long after you finish.
2026-03-14 08:28:19
5
Gregory
Gregory
Plot Detective Worker
Patel’s novel dives deep into the messy, beautiful chaos of family. Akash’s voice is instantly gripping—he’s raw, funny, and so flawed that you can’t help but root for him. His struggle with acceptance (both from his family and himself) hits hard. Renu, his mother, is equally fascinating; her chapters reveal this quiet rebellion against the life she ended up with. The tension between her past desires and her present regrets is palpable. Bijal’s role as the 'responsible' sibling adds another dimension—his perfectionism masks his own insecurities.

The supporting cast isn’t just backdrop, either. Eric, Akash’s ex, symbolizes the life Akash could’ve had if he’d been braver, while Kareem represents Renu’s lost love. Even the absent father, whose death triggers the reunion, looms large over the story. What makes these characters special is how their flaws make them relatable—their mistakes, their silences, their small acts of courage. It’s a book that makes you ache for them.
2026-03-14 13:21:02
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