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dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the audiobook, so I can't comment on the illustrations, or how they tied in to the narratives. I would like to borrow a physical copy to see the artwork at some point.
I listened to the audiobook read by the author. It was powerful, and I listened to it in sections. It alternates between the point of views of the goddess Parvati, in first person, and an unnamed "he", in third person. I loved how those POVs reflected each narrative - Parvati's story, though mythological, became both more personal and more accessible. "His" story felt more distant and more indistinct, which was how "he" felt about "himself".
A beautiful, powerful queer story.
I listened to the audiobook read by the author. It was powerful, and I listened to it in sections. It alternates between the point of views of the goddess Parvati, in first person, and an unnamed "he", in third person. I loved how those POVs reflected each narrative - Parvati's story, though mythological, became both more personal and more accessible. "His" story felt more distant and more indistinct, which was how "he" felt about "himself".
Spoiler
While "he" comes to accept his bisexuality, the body dysmorphia is never resolved. There was the strong implication that "he" is trans, which makes it that much more powerful that "he" is named only by pronoun, because "he" may not resolve his identity until "he" stops being "he" at all.A beautiful, powerful queer story.
charvi_not_just_fiction's review against another edition
4.0
She Of The Mountains is a beautiful re-imagining of Hindu mythology and my favourite part about this book is how beautifully parts of the mythology are explained and connected to the story for the ease of non-desi readers.
The story is about a young boy upon whom the gay label is flung ruthlessly, no matter how hard he tries to get rid of it he can't. And when he develops feelings for guys he accepts the label and tried his best to live with it. But he can't get her out of his mind and hence he starts questioning his whole identity and existence. The bi-erasure leaves him completely unsure and strips him of every bit of self-confidence. This book is his journey towards self love and self-discovery. I just can't get over how beautifully the author penned down this book. A true underrated gem.
The story is about a young boy upon whom the gay label is flung ruthlessly, no matter how hard he tries to get rid of it he can't. And when he develops feelings for guys he accepts the label and tried his best to live with it. But he can't get her out of his mind and hence he starts questioning his whole identity and existence. The bi-erasure leaves him completely unsure and strips him of every bit of self-confidence. This book is his journey towards self love and self-discovery. I just can't get over how beautifully the author penned down this book. A true underrated gem.
timtamslam13's review against another edition
3.0
i liked the premise of the book more than the execution. listened to it as an audiobook, so it’s possible that some transitions would be smoother if i was reading?? the audiobook version didn’t make it clear that there were some illustrations.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful short, haunting story that incorporates a retelling of the Hindu story centering around the creation/birth of Ganesh with a story centering around identity and growing up in Canada as the son of immigrants.
merenr's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a beautiful example of loving dearly, nearly, and queerly.
jmass's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
rewo's review against another edition
4.0
worth it
A quick read that shows a life perspective that is sorely lacking from mainstream reads. 4/5 as I would have loved more plot (author attempts to cover a wide range of experience, with little depth). Give it a try!
A quick read that shows a life perspective that is sorely lacking from mainstream reads. 4/5 as I would have loved more plot (author attempts to cover a wide range of experience, with little depth). Give it a try!
janaaier's review against another edition
4.0
This was a short, bittersweet, beautiful experimental work. I would recommend it to anyone seeking lyrical prose exploring mythological themes and queerness.