While I’ve read a couple of books in the last year about the female reproductive system, the parts and even about periods, this is the first book I’veWhile I’ve read a couple of books in the last year about the female reproductive system, the parts and even about periods, this is the first book I’ve read from a purely gynecological perspective, written by a specialist, and I’m so so glad that I’ll always be able to refer back to this book in the future.
This is written in layman’s terms and is really helpful to women of all ages, from menarche to post menopause. The book is organized in a manner that lets the reader pick the chapters to read which maybe related to the conditions they suffer from or just pick any topic which is of interest to them. The book starts off with the dubious history of how women’s health has been sidelined for ages, how some very breakthrough gynecological procedures came to be, and how even now research dollars invested in finding out about conditions specific to women are very very less.
The second part of the book is a very informative encyclopedia of the various issues women/peope with uteri face including PMS, periods, fibroids, endometriosis, abortion, cancer and more. The author gives a helpful explanation of the various symptoms of each condition, how they can be diagnosed, the detailed procedures involved and pain management, the available treatment options available and how to choose among them. The chapters on birth control and abortion were quite detailed, busting some of the common misinformation about them which even prolife politicians and judges make liberal use of to get their desired outcome. The final part of the book is about how to advocate for ourselves when we meet a healthcare provider, what we can ask and how we can arrive at the treatment that best suits us, and also what to do when the providers don’t take our condition seriously.
Overall, this is a brilliant and one of a kind book that can work as a quick reference guide for everyone, maybe including medical professionals. The author also does a great job of being inclusive of transgender men and non-binary people, dedicating chapters to the importance of gender affirming care and how providers can support such patients. I’m glad I read this and I’m sure I’ll find it helpful for years to come. ...more
I don’t think I need to write a review for this. It’s feel good, with some sad moments but overall a very posiDefinitely a 4.5 which I’m rounding up.
I don’t think I need to write a review for this. It’s feel good, with some sad moments but overall a very positive vibe - exclaiming the power of books, libraries and librarians.
A must read book for the current times, especially in the US where we are going through a relentless attack on both books and libraries. ...more
With everything that’s happening these days about advances in AI, ChatGPT and more, I knew I had to read this book. But what the author presented hereWith everything that’s happening these days about advances in AI, ChatGPT and more, I knew I had to read this book. But what the author presented here is so much more. The implications of using black box AIs to diagnose adverse health conditions, the poor data laborers suffering from PTSD due to the incessant exposure to violent content, the uber drivers and gig workers not knowing how they are paid and why they may get suspended, or crime prediction AIs being used to put marginalized people further on lists and marking them for adverse outcomes, deepfake technologies, and extreme surveillance - while the author and many others are optimistic about the opportunities AI provides in various fields, the human stories necessitate the need to look at the consequences and impacts on lives, rights, and society as a whole from a moral and ethical POV.
This is a very accessible book about AI which explains technical stuff in a simple and nuanced manner, while going more into details about the humans directly impacted by it, positively or negatively. It’s immensely readable, very impactful, and leaves us with many questions to ponder as we go about our lives using various AI applications and supporting big corporations without thinking about their outsize societal impacts. Definitely recommend this, whether you are an avid reader about these emerging technologies or someone who just wants to learn about it all. ...more
I’m usually always up to read Tor’s novellas because they are just the kind of stories I enjoy and I love shorter reads when I don’t have much time. BI’m usually always up to read Tor’s novellas because they are just the kind of stories I enjoy and I love shorter reads when I don’t have much time. But I seemed to have missed the release of this one last year, but when I realized that it has a sequel coming soon, I had to give it a try and woah..!!!! This was an experience…
The writing is just sublime. It’s both beautiful and direct, packing a punch in just a few words. It’s been a while since I’ve highlighted so many lines in a book. The desert atmosphere is captured in its harsh glory, so much so that you can feel the dry heat. For such a short book, the story is fast paced but developed well, with a great arc and a very satisfying ending.
Our thirteen year old young protagonist Tutu starts off hopeless and naive but determined, fueled by his love for his mama, but through the story, he learns to make friends and found family, understands some harsh truths of the world and decides his course of action to remedy it. Through Tutu, we too get to see the truths and lies that have built up the cities of the Forever Desert, the forgotten histories of the people, and what horrors the powerful can commit to maintain their hold on power and ensure that they’ll never be challenged. When Tutu realizes all this, it’s heartbreaking for him but also solidifies his purpose, leading to an epic conclusion.
I absolutely adored this novella and I’m very excited to know that there’s a sequel. With stunning and impactful writing, the author has managed to create a harsh and unforgettable world which deserves more stories, and I’m very excited to read the sequel. ...more
I’ve probably only read a couple of translated works by Anton Hur but I’ve followed him for a while now and know how much of a strong voice he is for I’ve probably only read a couple of translated works by Anton Hur but I’ve followed him for a while now and know how much of a strong voice he is for the translator community, so I was very excited for this debut novel. And it’s one of those rare occasions where I went into it not knowing anything, and I would recommend anyone do the same.
This book turned out to be an experience I feel unqualified to review. It may be a thrilling sci-fi dystopian adventure showing us the high technological advancements our world is hurtling towards, but more importantly it’s a treatise on what it means to be human, what it means to be an artist, what immortality does to humanity when there is no death, is anything more immortal than works of art and poetry that transcend time and lives, the impact of language and memory and art and poetry on the evolution of human consciousness when mortal flesh and blood gets replaced with technology- this book is full of thought provoking questions and pondering with no easy answers, but as it came to that stunning end, I was left tearing up while listening to the audiobook in the gym.
The writing is sublime, the journal entry format across time and generations and species a very unique way of making us feel for every pov we read through, and a full cast audiobook that makes for a truly immersive experience. And wow that end, the moment the relevance of the title hit me in the face - I’m still thinking about it days after. What a marvel of a book..!! ...more
I’ll be very honest, I just can’t write a review of this memoir. It is raw and honest and unflinching, while also carrying an essence of hope and soliI’ll be very honest, I just can’t write a review of this memoir. It is raw and honest and unflinching, while also carrying an essence of hope and solidarity, and it really moved me. I can only say that I highly recommend it. ...more
Another 4.5 read this year. January has been so good.
As I only read the first Emily Wilde book at the beginning of last month, I remembered everythinAnother 4.5 read this year. January has been so good.
As I only read the first Emily Wilde book at the beginning of last month, I remembered everything well and was very excited to get to this sequel. While I wish I could have gotten my hands the audiobook, the waitlist was just too long and I didn’t wanna hold out any longer. And I’m so happy I read it already.
The author continues to maintain the same charming and cozy vibes from the first book, this time transporting us to a setting in the Austrian alps. The journey to a new place in search of more fae (or in this case faerie doors) is quite similar to the first book but this time Emily and Wendell have company in Farris Rose, Emily’s superior at the dryadology department and Ariadne, Emily’s niece and also assistant. We are introduced to more new characters in a new idyllic but also gloomy village in the alps and to my delight, we also meet an old friend. While the purpose of this trip might be slightly more personal than scholarly, the author keeps the proceedings very familiar - so despite the stakes being dangerous, we know things will be ultimately alright. We meet even more new and deadly fae - fae assassins and guardians - and while there are some truly terrifying moments, things get resolved fairly quickly.
It was nice to see Emily try to be more communicative with Wendell, though she still hasn’t given him an answer to his marriage proposal. She is very much determined to find the door to his realm, both for him to go home and for her own research - and her quite impulsive nature gets them both into and out of troubles quite a bit. I love how even when she is scared and uncertain, she remains confident in her knowledge and believes that she will be able to find a solution somehow. At the same time, she trusts Wendell too to save them from dire situations, and is on the other hand resolved to protect his life from his stepmother.
This book also gave us another side to her, by exploring her relationships with both Rose and Ariadne. Rose is an older professor, set in his ways and always questioning Emily’s methods and conclusions - so they are very argumentative with each other - we almost get a feeling that they don’t like each other but whenever the need arises, Rose is quick to give advice and help out Emily, and Emily too wants Rose to understand and approve of her research.
Ariadne on the other hand idolizes her aunt and wants to be a dryadologist just like her, but is not sure if there’s love from her aunt’s side. She is also very enthusiastic and full of questions, which kind of grates on Emily who needs her peace, but it also means Wendell loves chatting up Ariadne. But as the story progresses, we see how much Emily and Ariadne care for each other and it was refreshing to see Emily’s equation with her family.
Overall, I had a lovely time with this sequel, though there were some scares in between. The fae are tricky and dangerous, but the characters make an amazing found family, and together with the epistolary narrative style and beautiful setting, this book still firmly remains in the cozy fantasy territory. And with the way the book ended, I’m quite excited to know more about what the next and final adventure of Emily and Wendell will be and what it’ll mean for their future. ...more
After loving The Lies of the Ajungo, I just had to read this one immediately and though it’s a fundamentally different kind ofDefinitely a solid 4.5.
After loving The Lies of the Ajungo, I just had to read this one immediately and though it’s a fundamentally different kind of story, the author does a great job with the twists and turns in this one, even more than the first book.
I’ll keep this review short because I feel that this book works best if one doesn’t know what to expect from it. It did take me a while for me to start liking it though coz the protagonist Osi isn’t immediately endearing like Tutu, and it was only after finishing the book and going over his whole character arc (and especially reading the author’s note) that I realized what his character was all about.
If the first book was about what the powerful would do to hoard their power, this one is about the perils of distorted history and keeping a populace ignorant; how people believing naively in their own righteousness maybe gullible to manipulation; how realizing that one has been lied to all their life can lead to disillusionment and may have unforeseen far reaching consequences.
Overall, I’m just very glad to have read these two novellas now even though I missed the first one in 2023. But now I have to wait for probably a year for the final third and it’s gonna be long and eagerly awaited. I’m very impressed by the author’s writing and very excited to see what more surprises the author has for us in the next. And to anyone new to this series, you can start with either book first and experience this superb world and characters. ...more
Perfect way to say goodbye to this favorite duology. From how it all started in the past with the previous generation to how our three main charactersPerfect way to say goodbye to this favorite duology. From how it all started in the past with the previous generation to how our three main characters are doing in the future, this was every bit the lovely collection of stories I was craving for. And a perfectly narrated audiobook added the final delightful touch. Definitely recommend if you are a fan of the duology like me. ...more
At this point, I don’t think I even need to review a T. Kingfisher book because she is yet to disappoinDefinitely a 4.5 and sure I am rounding it up.
At this point, I don’t think I even need to review a T. Kingfisher book because she is yet to disappoint me. While I went into this having heard it’s a Goose Girl retelling and knowing nothing about the original tale, I have to say it doesn’t really matter. Coz this wonderful author is only here to wow us with her words.
What a horrific tale of narcissism and abuse, but with equal amounts of hope and resilience to tide us through. Evangeline with her absolute horrible control over her daughter and her scheming for an even richer life; sweet little Cordelia who has been sheltered and abused all her life but still knows right from wrong; Hester who may have been relegated to the life of a rich spinster but can still sense “Doom” coming from a mile away; Penelope with her charming repartee who deserved better; Richard and his unwavering love and loyalty - and more wonderful and absolutely unforgettable characters make up the heart of this thrilling, scary, dreadful but deeply satisfying tale of good triumphing over evil.
The writing is just instantly immersive right from the get go, and I just had to continue reading/listening every free moment I got. The feeling of impending doom just keeps us on our toes, guessing what’s gonna happen next. The vibe is perfectly reflected in the narration of the audiobook by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens, making this a thoroughly enjoyable book in any format. Can’t wait to soon jump into another T. Kingfisher book coz I can’t get enough of them. ...more
Wow this was just so beautiful. It’s been a while since I’ve read Ken Liu’s short stories but I’ve loved everything I’ve read of his before and this oWow this was just so beautiful. It’s been a while since I’ve read Ken Liu’s short stories but I’ve loved everything I’ve read of his before and this one is no different. The writing is lyrical and beautiful and every line is brimming with meaning, I almost wanted to have it in physical form so I could highlight the many inspiring sentences here. The theme of this story is about the subjectivity of art, the relationship between an artist and their audience, and the importance of realizing that every single person who views an art piece will bring their own biases with them while appreciating or not liking it, and no opinion is really wrong. It’s a very thoughtfully written story which is highly relevant to our current social media culture of pile-ons, with many insisting that their opinions are objective and right and everyone else is wrong.
Truly, I think most of us who review books or consume art in any form should give this story a try and realize that art can have myriad of interpretations based on the eye of the beholder, and we shouldn’t be spending our time arguing about the validity of a single pov. It’s time we accept and appreciate diversity of thoughts and opinions, not only about art, but everything else in life. ...more
Lost You Forever was a drama that I didn’t think I wanted to watch because I had heard it was gonna be very angsty. Also one female lead with four guy Lost You Forever was a drama that I didn’t think I wanted to watch because I had heard it was gonna be very angsty. Also one female lead with four guys seemed like a perfect recipe for heartbreak. But I kept seeing clips and highlights about it all across my socials and couldn’t resist, instantly falling in love with the drama. After almost coming closer towards the end of season 1, I found the completed fan translation of the book and just had to binge read it every second of free time I had, because who knows when the second season will air.
And wow was the book absolutely brilliant. It’s been a while since I’ve read a new cnovel, so it was exciting to dive into it. Also, I like going into these books after watching a bit of the drama, because I like visualizing the actors while reading and it was such a wonderful experience here. The writing and translation were great, with amazing dramatic moments, so much emotion throughout, complicated relationship dynamics, and overall a very heart wrenching story. I didn’t know that there was a prequel book with the previous generation as the main characters and I loved that the translator gave enough background (and sometimes even some important scenes from the prequel), so that we could understand the stakes of the current characters better. It made for an even more meaningful read and I really appreciated getting the little details which aren’t necessarily in the drama adaptation.
But the heart of this book are the characters. The author is clearly very talented at creating an ensemble of characters, every one of whom is impressive and unique in their own ways, making the reader unable to pick our favorites. I obviously went into the book with already my favs in mind coz of the drama and that didn’t change much as the book progressed deeper. I definitely appreciated Xiaoyao much more because all she wants is a simple happy life with the man she loves and she has to suffer so much to get there. Tushan Jing is definitely not in my top 3 but I can totally see how he is the one and only for Xiaoyao. Feng Long is a lot of fun to follow along, so I didn’t actually predict the way his character arc would develop.
Ultimately though, my heart is swayed by the stunningly written characters of Zhuan Xu (Cang Xuan in the drama) and Xiang Lu. They both look cold and keep their feelings buried deep in their hearts, but the lengths to which they’ll go for the sake of their loved ones is beautiful as well as heartbreaking. For the most part of the book, I absolutely adored the relationship between Xiaoyao and Xuan, and how much they were devoted to each other. While I did like Xiang Lu’s character and imagining Tan Jianci playing him in the drama is amazing, I completely fell in love with him towards the latter half of the story, and I can’t wait to see all that angst on screen in season 2 and bawl my eyes out.
On the whole, I really didn’t think this would become a favorite but now I can’t imagine not having experienced this brilliant story. It has an interesting world, very captivating storyline of fighting for your love in various ways, and characters to die for and who are utterly unforgettable. I’m gonna remember this story for a long time to come and let’s see, maybe I will checkout if I can find any other translations of this author’s works. ...more
I’ve been eager to read this third installment of the Regency Faerie Tales since I got a copy last year but it jAnother 4.5 read this month, yay !!!!
I’ve been eager to read this third installment of the Regency Faerie Tales since I got a copy last year but it just never worked out. But I definitely needed something sweet to get through my troubles this month and this book turned out to be the perfect medication.
The writing is as charming, witty, whimsical and lovely as the first two books and I was instantly delighted to be back in this world. It was also nice to be back in this world among familiar characters, because this is kind of a direct sequel to Half A Soul. Abigail is the adopted daughter of Elias and Dora and their relationship is one of the sweetest in the book, along with Abby’s dynamic with Hugh, her cool ghost brother. It’s just such an endearing family and I loved following their quest to solve murders involving the ton in this book. Abby is ably assisted by Mercy who is as mysterious as her shadow magic and while they both start off as adversaries, the development of their love story absolutely adorable.
While family and love are the core of this book, I also liked how the author tackled important themes without them overwhelming the cozy tone of the story. We see the kind of classist and snobby behavior the ton exhibits and how Abby has to lie or trick her way through conversations even when she is investigating murders among their own. The other theme that is quite deeply explored is the idea of death and while it’s true that it’s inevitable for everyone, it doesn’t mean that it’s wrong for a person to want to fight to live, or even want to remain a ghost without moving on from their loved ones. The author integrates these ideas through character development and I thought it was masterfully done.
Overall, this was a delightful read and something that made me very happy. While the first two books of the trilogy can work as standalones, you’ll enjoy this book more if you’ve read both of them. If you are in the mood for a regency sapphic romance, some delightful family moments, as well as some cool magical and ghostly sleuthing, do pick up this book and I promise you will not be disappointed. ...more
This was intense !!!!! It was definitely a tough match to root for because even though Nick is my favorite, Kally is a sweetheart and I wanted none ofThis was intense !!!!! It was definitely a tough match to root for because even though Nick is my favorite, Kally is a sweetheart and I wanted none of them to lose. It was nice to see all the support for Kally, it shows this team is definitely capable of more than just hazing.
And the confrontation I was waiting for was finally here. I totally understand Nick’s hatred for Jesse but he is definitely quite obsessed with Seiji. I hope his feelings will develop into something more very soon. And Seiji again proves he is so observant when it comes to Nick and let’s see how soon he’ll figure out the truth about Nick.
That was a totally unexpected cliffhanger but I’m much more interested in Harvard’s insinuation... Did he really mean that 🤔🤔🤔
Merged review:
This was intense !!!!! It was definitely a tough match to root for because even though Nick is my favorite, Kally is a sweetheart and I wanted none of them to lose. It was nice to see all the support for Kally, it shows this team is definitely capable of more than just hazing.
And the confrontation I was waiting for was finally here. I totally understand Nick’s hatred for Jesse but he is definitely quite obsessed with Seiji. I hope his feelings will develop into something more very soon. And Seiji again proves he is so observant when it comes to Nick and let’s see how soon he’ll figure out the truth about Nick.
That was a totally unexpected cliffhanger but I’m much more interested in Harvard’s insinuation... Did he really mean that...more
Another wonderful issue and this was definitely on the funnier side.
After the way Nick entered at the end of the last issue, it was obvious he was goAnother wonderful issue and this was definitely on the funnier side.
After the way Nick entered at the end of the last issue, it was obvious he was going to win. But his confidence and sheer speed was marvelous and everyone was surprised. And Aiden cheering for him (without even knowing his name) is hilarious.
And wow is Coach just brilliant. Her trick to getting Seiji motivated after his loss is so surprising, but it worked and I guess that’s why she is the Coach, and she definitely knows the strengths and weaknesses of every single one of the players.
That conversation between Nick and Seiji is definite foreshadowing for some explosive chemistry in the future. And I can’t believe that Seiji is so observant of everything related to Nick. Is something brewing already 😜😜😜
And Bobby Bobby Bobby... the best friend and cheerleader possible and the sweetest person ever 😍😍😍 And his “indirect kissing” quote was so funny, I was laughing out loud.
Nick vs Aiden is coming up next and I can’t wait 😁😁😁
Merged review:
Another wonderful issue and this was definitely on the funnier side.
After the way Nick entered at the end of the last issue, it was obvious he was going to win. But his confidence and sheer speed was marvelous and everyone was surprised. And Aiden cheering for him (without even knowing his name) is hilarious.
And wow is Coach just brilliant. Her trick to getting Seiji motivated after his loss is so surprising, but it worked and I guess that’s why she is the Coach, and she definitely knows the strengths and weaknesses of every single one of the players.
That conversation between Nick and Seiji is definite foreshadowing for some explosive chemistry in the future. And I can’t believe that Seiji is so observant of everything related to Nick. Is something brewing already...more
I am totally absolutely in love with this issue. This was the match I was tensely excited for and it didn’t disappoint.
We’ve only seen Aiden as the fI am totally absolutely in love with this issue. This was the match I was tensely excited for and it didn’t disappoint.
We’ve only seen Aiden as the fun loving playboy till now but watching him take on Seiji was just wow. He is sly and underhanded and manipulative but Seiji also needs to learn to keep his cool. This match definitely showed to everyone that Seiji too has chinks in his armor and this will obviously make for some more interesting matches in the future.
However, the best part of this issue was Coach Williams’s conversation with Nick. Her wisdom and advice is very important and relevant to everyone and I think it’ll have a good impact on Nick and I can’t wait to see his next match.
Bobby is still the cutest. And all the panels with Aiden’s fan club cheering for him with pink heart eyes were so adorable. I mention this every time, but the artwork in this series is just beautiful and I can’t stop gushing about it.
But... STOP WITH THE CLIFFHANGERS PLEASE !!!!
Merged review:
I am totally absolutely in love with this issue. This was the match I was tensely excited for and it didn’t disappoint.
We’ve only seen Aiden as the fun loving playboy till now but watching him take on Seiji was just wow. He is sly and underhanded and manipulative but Seiji also needs to learn to keep his cool. This match definitely showed to everyone that Seiji too has chinks in his armor and this will obviously make for some more interesting matches in the future.
However, the best part of this issue was Coach Williams’s conversation with Nick. Her wisdom and advice is very important and relevant to everyone and I think it’ll have a good impact on Nick and I can’t wait to see his next match.
Bobby is still the cutest. And all the panels with Aiden’s fan club cheering for him with pink heart eyes were so adorable. I mention this every time, but the artwork in this series is just beautiful and I can’t stop gushing about it.
But... STOP WITH THE CLIFFHANGERS PLEASE !!!!...more
While I finished reading this book a while ago, it’s taken me this long to write this review and tbh, even now, I don’t have the right words to descriWhile I finished reading this book a while ago, it’s taken me this long to write this review and tbh, even now, I don’t have the right words to describe my feelings about this book which is definitely gonna make my top favorites list at the end of the year.
I’m usually more of a wuxia fan and haven’t actually watched more than a couple of xianxia dramas. But this book is like my kind of xianxia drama in prose - serene and poetic with just enough angst and a low key romance between two demisexual individuals. I could totally see everything playing out in front of my eyes, which really shows the beauty and vivid nature of the writing and the Cang Lan Jue vibes and a minor nod to Wei Wuxian completely have my heart.
The world the author creates is very interesting, with mortals and celestials and demons, their politics and enmities, the hypocrisy of these immortals who look down on mortals for their “emotions” but are equally susceptible to all kinds of corruptions themselves. We get to meet all kinds of immortals - the ones who are entrenched in their power and can’t see reason, ones who can be persuaded and finally ones who can see the truth and treat all beings - mortal and immortal alike.
And among all these characters are our MCs - lonely, orphaned Xue who can mesmerize anyone with her qin playing, and the mysterious Duke Meng who keeps a lot of secrets but is slowly creeping into her heart. It’s a slow building of trust and friendship between them which I appreciated, slowly turning into love for the ages and lifetimes. There are revelations and twists aplenty in this story, with little tales and legends in between that both help flesh out the world building and also weave the complete narrative together.
I know this review doesn’t really showcase how much I loved this book but I promise you, if you are a xianxia fan, you’ll love this. Despite the angst and the very typical cdrama ending, I was only left feeling satisfied at the end of it. Now all I need is a qin playlist for the book which I’ve already requested from the author, and hope I’ll get to listen to all the musical pieces the author feels will go well with this amazing story. ...more
I neglected writing this review for more than a month, so I don’t have the words or energy to write now. But I tDefinitely a 4.5 and I’m rounding up.
I neglected writing this review for more than a month, so I don’t have the words or energy to write now. But I thoroughly enjoyed this mostly cozy, cute romance and family story about finding love, grieving your losses, and still moving on. Totally worth winning the SPFBO award this year. ...more
CW: sexual assault, communal riots, honor killing, burning, Islamophobia, religious extremism
Another definite 4.5 star read of the month.
I’ve actuallCW: sexual assault, communal riots, honor killing, burning, Islamophobia, religious extremism
Another definite 4.5 star read of the month.
I’ve actually never read any Thrity Umrigar book before because I know she’s a popular literary fiction author and I wasn’t just into the genre. But since the first time I read the premise of Honor sometime last year, I’ve really wanted to check it out. And when I got the audiobook from my library, I couldn’t stop.
As it’s been happening to me quite frequently these days, this was another one of my sleepless nights, so I just spent all night listening to the audio. It obviously helped that the narrator is Sneha Mathan who is my absolute top favorite and it’s hard not to feel engrossed in a book when she is telling it. And the writing is equally captivating from the get go. The author is immensely talented at hooking the reader from the first page, not just with the shocking incidents and themes being explored in the plot, but also the compassion and empathy she exudes for her characters who are suffering so much. The pacing may feel a bit slow but the story actually takes place within a few days, and the feeling is only so because this book involves a lot of contemplation by the characters. The author also does a masterful job making the setting feel extremely real - I could feel the noise that you are bombarded with as soon as you land in an Indian airport like Mumbai, strolling through a huge marketplace like Colaba being stormed by people trying to sell their wares, cherishing the sunset near a beach, the disparity of life in rural villages.
We are told this story through the eyes of two women, who are almost on the opposite sides of the spectrum. Smitha is an Indian American who hasn’t lived in India since she was a teenager, and has some bad memories from before she left which has colored her perception of the country and especially Mumbai. As she is unexpectedly given the job of following up on an honor killing case, she not only has to confront the purpose of her journalism - she finds it important to show the truth about injustices happening across the world but is also in a dilemma if it’s just a way for her readers way back in America to feel better about themselves; but she also is conflicted about her feelings about India on the whole - a modern country whose metropolises rival any American city but the villages are still the epitome of caste and religious and gender discrimination. She is accompanied on this journey by Mohan, an IT guy who loves his country but is also confronted with the truth that there are pockets in his beloved India which don’t feel like the country he loves. Their developing friendship, with hints of wariness in between felt very real and organic but the romance felt like it came too out of left field.
Meena on the other hand is a woman who has been burned and disfigured badly by her own brothers because she dared to get married to a Muslim man and have a child with him. Now her husband is dead from the burning, her mother in law blames her for losing her son, and she wants justice if only to prove to her daughter that she fought for her dead father. It’s clear that she also blames herself for her beloved’s death and doesn’t really see much of a future for herself, but hopes that her daughter will get to live in a more egalitarian and secular India, just like how her Abdul imagined. It’s very easy to feel pity for her because of her circumstances but she is so brave and compassionate and I only kept hoping she’ll finally get some respite. Her story reminded me of the book The Newlyweds by Mansi Choksi (which I haven’t finished reading) which tells the stories of four real life couples who also had to run away from home because of choosing inter caste and interfaith marriages and had to hide from their families.
In the end, I don’t know how to feel about this book. It’s brilliantly written, very engaging, rage inducing and thought provoking - I could especially feel a lot in common with Smitha because of being an immigrant in America myself and feeling conflicted about loving my homeland but seeing the deteriorating political reality over there and feeling helpless about it. Ofcourse this is not a book to enjoy - it’s here to show us a mirror to the real world, where whatever progress we make, there are also many things going backwards. Do read it if you feel you can handle the subject matter. And if you enjoy the audiobook format, then Sneha’s narration is a great way to experience this story. ...more
I’m usually not one to read award winning books, especially something like a Booker Prize because they mostly tend to be literary fiction and that’s nI’m usually not one to read award winning books, especially something like a Booker Prize because they mostly tend to be literary fiction and that’s not a genre I’m frequently looking for. But when the news of this book winning the award came about and I realized that it’s both South Asian and speculative fiction, I knew I had to give it a try. And it also felt like a big oversight on my part that I purport to support Asian/South Asian authors and books on my blog but I truly don’t remember reading anything set in Sri Lanka except a couple of short stories last year. When I finally got the audiobook from my library yesterday, I just didn’t wanna wait anymore and gobbled up the whole thing in just a few hours.
I truly don’t have words to describe what kind of a book this is. It’s totally political because it’s set in the 80s with various political factions like the government and the JVP, as well as liberation movements like the LTTE - each committing horrific violence on the other side, and no one more so than the ruling party - but it’s also supernatural with the main character being dead at the beginning and his soul (or ghost maybe) trying to figure out his afterlife (and in between); as well as a murder mystery because our ghost doesn’t remember how he died.
The story might start with ghosts and afterlife but it is so rooted in its Sri Lankan setting that you can’t help but feel like you are wandering those streets with our main character, watching that horrific violence unfold in front of your eyes, and wonder what even is the point of it all. At the same time, we also get some spectacular supernatural world building, with its inspirations from Hinduism and Buddhism, making it seem both familiar and new to me - so many different creatures with their own functions, many souls who haven’t gotten over the violence of their deaths, and the souls deciding between doing something about the injustice or forgetting it all and moving on into the Light. It’s all a mix of fascinating concepts to read about and the author’s satirical writing style makes it all very engaging even when we can see that the situation is all bleak.
Our main character Maali is a gay man in a country in strife who won’t agree to either call himself a queer person and at the same time won’t agree that the situation in his homeland is hopeless. He is a photographer who has captured many horrific scenes, even at the behest of those committing the violence and using his pictures as propaganda, but he still believes that someday his photos will lead to a reckoning. It almost feels like his naïveté that such a thing is possible but when he tries hard to make his work known even from the other side of death, we are very much inclined to root for him. Through his endeavors, we get to meet the people in his life who have had significant impacts on him but whom he probably didn’t appreciate enough when alive. We also meet the many souls with their own grievances along with him, as he traverses his new reality. And along with it all, we also kind of get a mystery, with Maali trying his best to reminisce his last moments and piece together the truth of his death and the ones responsible, which when revealed did come as a shock to me.
Overall, I can just say that I was left marveling at the author’s genius both while reading and at the end. This is a book that packs a punch and takes a quite no holds barred approach to showcasing political violence, but is also funny and whimsical and sad and everything in between. The audiobook narrator Shivantha Wijesinha did a spectacular job with his voice and bringing this world to life and I’m just so glad I got to experience this book through his narration. I can’t pinpoint who will exactly appreciate this book but if you are someone who love inventive speculative fiction/ magical realism with a very realistic political setting, then this will be a great choice for you. ...more
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