In Leaving Yuba City, groups of interlinked poems divided into six sections are peopled by many of the same characters and explore varying themes. Here, Divakaruni is particularly interested in how different art forms can influence and inspire each other, and there are series of poems based on paintings by Francesco Clemente, on photographs by Raghubir Singh, and on Indian films, including Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay and Satyajit Ray's Ghare Baire. As with all of Divakaruni's writing, these poems deal with the experience of women and their struggle to find identities for themselves.

This collection is touched with the same magic and universal appeal that excited readers of Arranged Marriage. In Leaving Yuba City, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni proves once again her remarkable literary talents.