Dear readers,
Having recently watched "American Fiction," a compelling contender for this year's Best Picture nomination at the Oscars, we were drawn into the narrative of Monk. A disillusioned novelist, Monk rebels against the publishing industry's exploitation of Black culture by crafting an outlandish book that is inundated with stereotypes. Despite his intention to mock, the outcome surprises him with adoration and accolades.
Around the halfway point of the film, we revisited a question we danced with in the early days of BGB: Is it the responsibility of writers to avoid the reinforcement of cultural stereotypes in their book(s)?
We believed North American readers (and perhaps beyond, although our perspective is primarily U.S.-based) often encounter one-dimensional portrayals of South Asia. Nevertheless, the public’s appreciation for these stories remains. By spotlighting a wide range of voices and narratives from the subcontinent, we aim to foster a richer and more nuanced appreciation of South Asian literature, transcending mere commercial considerations - a perspective Monk would likely support.
We asked our audience how writers can consider avoiding stereotypes in their writing. Here are elements readers shared they value in challenging yet significant books:
Introduce characters who embody a range of voices and experiences
Situate cultural trauma within broader historical and societal frameworks
Highlight individual agency and resilience
It is evident that stories like "American Fiction" serve as poignant reminders of the importance of nuanced narratives while recognizing that crafting them has its complexities.
Until next time,
Mishika and Sri
Adorned Narratives: Storytelling Through Jewelry
When: Thursday, March 21; 6pm ET
Where: TAGMO, Front Street, New York, NY, USA
🎟️ Buy your ticket(s) here.
Join the founder of The Jewelry Edit, Rosena Sammi, and the co-founder of Brown Girl Bookshelf, Mishika Narula, for an event where jewelry becomes the medium for storytelling. Explore the unique stories carried by pieces, as Rosena shares the cultural and historical context behind the collections she curates and talks about the value in collaborating with fellow South Asian brands and voices. Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to shop items from renowned brands including Misho, Deepa Gurnani, Amrapali London, Atelier Mon, Ritika Sachdeva, Agaro, Estaa, and Tara Fine Jewellery, with special offers available at the event.
Engage with fellow storytelling enthusiasts, savor Indian appetizers, and enjoy a mocktail while exploring the synergy of creativity and craftsmanship.
The Feminist Killjoy Handbook by Sara Ahmed
Reviewed by: Raina Kadavil
Sara Ahmed's "The Feminist Killjoy Handbook" is a reckoning. It holds a megaphone to the “killjoys” of the world — those who refuse to conform to play along with oppressive norms that ask women to fake a smile at being called darling or force a laugh at sexist jokes. With incisive analysis and unyielding truths, Ahmed positions being a "killjoy" not as a mere label, but as a courageous stance against a world constructed to privilege the perspectives of cisgender, white men.
Ahmed's examples paint a vivid picture, striking a chord with readers through relatable scenarios: from confrontations with sneering patriarchs at dinner tables, to grappling with family members who impose their will under the guise of benevolence, and navigating professional environments where male authority figures exploit their power while espousing hollow feminist rhetoric. This handbook speaks to those who have been urged not to be too serious or assertive, labeled troublemakers for speaking out against injustice, and those who have felt compelled to conform to narrow standards of straightness or whiteness, straining themselves to invisibility in the process.
She encourages brown women to reclaim the space owed to us, challenging doors of opportunity and leadership that are often kept closed. Citing the words and perspectives of queer and transgender killjoys of color, Ahmed emphasizes that readers are not alone in their journey. The hope is that the killjoy community will flourish as readers pass on the book, “dog-eared and coffee-stained," sharing stories and survival tips that foster a chain of empowerment among proud feminist killjoys.
📚 Get your copy of “The Feminist Killjoy.”
This Is Salvaged by Vauhini Vara
Reviewed by: Malavika Praseed
In this dynamic collection of short fiction, “This Is Salvaged,” Pulitzer finalist Vauhini Vara skillfully explores the pitfalls and wounds of girlhood. These stories encompass characters of a variety of ages, life experiences, and ethnicities, but center Vara's Indian-American identity and her talent for portraying the lost and bewildered.
In "The Irates," two teens lose themselves in a phone sex operation, using the guise of adulthood to mask inner grief. In "The Eighteen Girls," Vara takes on a swathe of unnamed girl characters to sketch out their lives in broad strokes narrative distance method of writing reminiscent of Daphne Palasi Andreades's “Brown Girls.” In "The Hormone Hypothesis,” Vara departs girlhood for the perspective of a middle-aged woman, still just as seeking in her new friendship with an intriguing Colombian woman.
However, the standout story in Vara's collection is undoubtedly the title story, and this is the one most removed from South Asian identity and girlhood. Marlon, a struggling artist dealing with the dissolution of a long term relationship, pours himself into the grandiose task of recreating Noah's Ark from recycled materials. Despite his self-imposed artistic exile, Marlon forges relationships with the townsfolk. He experiences an allegorical rebirth, similar to the forced destruction and cleansing of the arc during the original biblical flood. The tragedy of this story is more palpable than some of the others, and it is clear why this story serves as a fulcrum in Vara's collection.
In all these tales, Vara incorporates heritage in casual, unassuming ways: subtle mentions of dosa and pesaruttu, wailing funeral customs, familiar South Asian names. This representation is more than welcome, as identity takes a step back to subtle characterization without being lost entirely. While perhaps not eclipsing “The Immortal King Rao,” Vara's short story collection displays her craft talents and her willingness to never waste a word. These stories are quiet yet incisive, and keep you turning pages till the end.
📚 Get your copy of “This Is Salvaged.”
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