Scan barcode
laughingvictorian's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
themandimonster's review against another edition
5.0
This was really great. Nikita Gill is wonderful writer and this book was a beautiful mix of poetry and short stories that told a great tale of life, love, pain, and a whole bunch of soul searching. Myth beautifully blended with life to make an overall wonderful story told in a unique way. I look forward to more of her work.
bookmarkedbybritt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is, by far, one of the best books I’ve read this year.
The Girl and the Goddess is a novel, written in verse, that follows a young girl from childhood to young adulthood in post-partition India. The story centres on Paro, our FMC, and combines her life with some incredible mythological tellings as Goddesses impart wisdom to carry her through the most harrowing times. This novel was so beautifully written with the verse moving in a way that moved you forward but also stopped you to take in the details when needed.
From the age of 5 onward, we journey through life with Paro and face the harsh realities of growing up female in a forcibly sexist society. The expectations on women to protect themselves from a young age were unfair and pervasive. Honestly, it has been a while since I had a book make me so mad I needed to put it down. I cried for Paro; I cried with Paro. Seeing assault being depicted as something to be entirely ashamed of, even blamed for, by other women and family was one of the most heartbreaking experiences I will ever have in reading.
The beauty in this novel came from Paro looking to and receiving strength from her belief. When she reached a hand for help, the divine stepped in to guide her and teach her until she was able to claim the Goddess hidden within her own spirit. I found the concept that a person themselves contains their own divinity such an empowering thing to read on, and will carry that message for a long time. Women in India/Pakistan lived such heroic lives despite the mountainous hurdles stacked against them. It was incredibly humbling and rage-inducing but also inspiring to be invited into a snapshot of what that experience was like.
I would recommend this to all fans of women’s lit, and especially fans of books like Know My Name. This is an important story, and I hope you give it a try!
CW: abuse, death, military conflict, sexual assault, racism, sexism.
The Girl and the Goddess is a novel, written in verse, that follows a young girl from childhood to young adulthood in post-partition India. The story centres on Paro, our FMC, and combines her life with some incredible mythological tellings as Goddesses impart wisdom to carry her through the most harrowing times. This novel was so beautifully written with the verse moving in a way that moved you forward but also stopped you to take in the details when needed.
From the age of 5 onward, we journey through life with Paro and face the harsh realities of growing up female in a forcibly sexist society. The expectations on women to protect themselves from a young age were unfair and pervasive. Honestly, it has been a while since I had a book make me so mad I needed to put it down. I cried for Paro; I cried with Paro. Seeing assault being depicted as something to be entirely ashamed of, even blamed for, by other women and family was one of the most heartbreaking experiences I will ever have in reading.
The beauty in this novel came from Paro looking to and receiving strength from her belief. When she reached a hand for help, the divine stepped in to guide her and teach her until she was able to claim the Goddess hidden within her own spirit. I found the concept that a person themselves contains their own divinity such an empowering thing to read on, and will carry that message for a long time. Women in India/Pakistan lived such heroic lives despite the mountainous hurdles stacked against them. It was incredibly humbling and rage-inducing but also inspiring to be invited into a snapshot of what that experience was like.
I would recommend this to all fans of women’s lit, and especially fans of books like Know My Name. This is an important story, and I hope you give it a try!
CW: abuse, death, military conflict, sexual assault, racism, sexism.
rosiefrog's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
tru5hna's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
happinessreads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
0ceanna's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
this book made me cry. 5 stars. so incredibly well written i couldn’t put it down.
sleenornenor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
styxx's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, Misogyny, Bullying, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Racial slurs, Body shaming, Colonisation, Sexism, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
avid_reader_96's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book of poetry. I loved how Gill weaved storytelling and poetry together. She's incredibly talented and Paro's story has a special place in my heart. If not for leading a busy life, I would've finished this book a lot sooner, it definitely deserved to not be put down and finished in one sitting. I would highly recommend this for anyone struggling with their identity or place in the world. Gill may write about mythological Gods and Goddesses but the lessons learned from them are real.