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mezzano's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Radiant Fugitives is a unique book with a lot going on. Told in the perspective of the main character's unborn child, the baby-in-the-womb is somehow privy to all of his mother's family history and traumas. This story is beautifully written and an example of modern and inclusive literary fiction. Seema is a complex character, whose lesbian identity cost her a solid relationship with her Indian family. When Seema becomes pregnant, both her mother and sister come out to support her, however hesitantly. What ensues is the dredging of hurt feelings, jealousy, and confusion.
As the story continues and twists from past to present, there are honestly great moments that I deeply connected to. Seema's memories of her current and past lovers were raw and showed a perspective of the LGBT community many don't represent in literature: the person who doesn't quite know what label to identity as. Seema is incredibly flawed in this book, and while there are plenty of times I grew frustrated at her choices, I couldn't help but understand why she felt so determined to follow through with her original declarations. When you lose people close to you, you tend to cling closer to the things that divided you from them.
Seema's sister and mother were interesting in their own right. I loved the challenge Seema's mother had with supporting her daughter and also her husbands wishes for the household. I thought it was special that at the news of a big life event, Seema's mother would fly all the way from India to Seema's home to support her, even when it was against the family's wishes. The jealousy Seema's sister experiences due to this was also very frustrating. Seema's sister seemed to be there only for the mother, and she serves as a point of stress for Seema, even when Seema tries her best to reconnect with her family. The fact that Seema's sister and mother are almost always together in the narrative paints a tragic "what could but will never be" scenario. By the time this novel started, Seema will not be able to fix the hurt that has already been established. She will always be a mark, and by extension, so will the narrator of this story.
Be aware that this story doesn't end happily. This is a literary tragedy, set in Obama-era USA. If you want a new piece of literary fiction which tells a complex story with a different perspective, however, Radiant Fugitives will be comfortable on your bookshelf.
As the story continues and twists from past to present, there are honestly great moments that I deeply connected to. Seema's memories of her current and past lovers were raw and showed a perspective of the LGBT community many don't represent in literature: the person who doesn't quite know what label to identity as. Seema is incredibly flawed in this book, and while there are plenty of times I grew frustrated at her choices, I couldn't help but understand why she felt so determined to follow through with her original declarations. When you lose people close to you, you tend to cling closer to the things that divided you from them.
Seema's sister and mother were interesting in their own right. I loved the challenge Seema's mother had with supporting her daughter and also her husbands wishes for the household. I thought it was special that at the news of a big life event, Seema's mother would fly all the way from India to Seema's home to support her, even when it was against the family's wishes. The jealousy Seema's sister experiences due to this was also very frustrating. Seema's sister seemed to be there only for the mother, and she serves as a point of stress for Seema, even when Seema tries her best to reconnect with her family. The fact that Seema's sister and mother are almost always together in the narrative paints a tragic "what could but will never be" scenario. By the time this novel started, Seema will not be able to fix the hurt that has already been established. She will always be a mark, and by extension, so will the narrator of this story.
Be aware that this story doesn't end happily. This is a literary tragedy, set in Obama-era USA. If you want a new piece of literary fiction which tells a complex story with a different perspective, however, Radiant Fugitives will be comfortable on your bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Grief, Death, Body shaming, and Blood
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