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atomicbritt's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
kelly_e's review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.5
Title: The Subtweet
Author: Vivek Shraya
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: April 7, 2020
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Original β’ Quick β’ Realistic
π S Y N O P S I S
Neela Devaki has built her career writing songs no one else is singing. When one of her songs if covered by internet artist RUK-MINI, becoming a viral sensation, the two musicians meet and a transformative friendship begins. Before long, the pressure that pit women versus one another begin. As RUK-MINI's star rises, Neelaβs peers out, leading to jealousy and self-doubt. A single tweet, will change everything, and they find themselves at the center of an internet firestorm. The Subtweet explores themes of race and gender, but also friendship, music and internet culture.
π T H O U G H T S
I wasn't expecting to enjoy a book centering around social media, but what is blatantly obvious coming out of this one is that Vivek Shraya is supremely talented! The Subtweet gives the reader an inside glance into the politics and workings of the Canadian music industry, and
captures the intricoes of female friendship. I appreciated the focus on female artists, and the explorations of arts and culture in Canada, something I have rarely come across in a book. With Vivek's dynamic writing style, I really got to know the characters in such an intimate way, so much so that I felt like I was standing between them. Due to it being on the short side, I was impressed by how Vivek managed to do so. Using social media, and detailing its power - both good and bad - was unique, and incredibly timely.
So much of this book was done right, but I really struggled with the structure. For me, long sections make for a less than enjoyable reading experience overall, and the same can be true here. At times this design made it seem disjointed.
Overall, a strong showing from an author on the rise, it definitely prompted me to reflect on my own privilege as a white cis woman in Canada.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ readers wanting a quick read
β’ music fans
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"For me to rediscover my independence, I had to slow down and tune into my body again."
"I wish we could go back to that moment. The discovering each other phase. The addictive self-revelation through another's eyes phase."
Author: Vivek Shraya
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: April 7, 2020
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Original β’ Quick β’ Realistic
π S Y N O P S I S
Neela Devaki has built her career writing songs no one else is singing. When one of her songs if covered by internet artist RUK-MINI, becoming a viral sensation, the two musicians meet and a transformative friendship begins. Before long, the pressure that pit women versus one another begin. As RUK-MINI's star rises, Neelaβs peers out, leading to jealousy and self-doubt. A single tweet, will change everything, and they find themselves at the center of an internet firestorm. The Subtweet explores themes of race and gender, but also friendship, music and internet culture.
π T H O U G H T S
I wasn't expecting to enjoy a book centering around social media, but what is blatantly obvious coming out of this one is that Vivek Shraya is supremely talented! The Subtweet gives the reader an inside glance into the politics and workings of the Canadian music industry, and
captures the intricoes of female friendship. I appreciated the focus on female artists, and the explorations of arts and culture in Canada, something I have rarely come across in a book. With Vivek's dynamic writing style, I really got to know the characters in such an intimate way, so much so that I felt like I was standing between them. Due to it being on the short side, I was impressed by how Vivek managed to do so. Using social media, and detailing its power - both good and bad - was unique, and incredibly timely.
So much of this book was done right, but I really struggled with the structure. For me, long sections make for a less than enjoyable reading experience overall, and the same can be true here. At times this design made it seem disjointed.
Overall, a strong showing from an author on the rise, it definitely prompted me to reflect on my own privilege as a white cis woman in Canada.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ readers wanting a quick read
β’ music fans
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"For me to rediscover my independence, I had to slow down and tune into my body again."
"I wish we could go back to that moment. The discovering each other phase. The addictive self-revelation through another's eyes phase."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
lily1304's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This story made me SO thankful I'm not on social media and SO hopeful that I'll never be any kind of public figure. Sometimes I'm Neela, sometimes I'm Rukmini - although both of them are infuriatingly insecure at times. I'm excited to read more by Vivek Shraya.
It's categorized as "lgbtqia+" in StoryGraph, probably because the author is trans and at least one of the characters is trans. But blink and you'll miss that detail - it's incidental to the plot. This is much more a story about Indian women then a story about queer people - even though, obviously, it's both. I think queer people deserve both stories where our identities are central to the plot, and stories where they aren't. I deeply appreciate that one of the main characters is trans without, like, a "reason" she needs to be trans. And magically, no one is weird about it. That's not very common.
It's categorized as "lgbtqia+" in StoryGraph, probably because the author is trans and at least one of the characters is trans. But blink and you'll miss that detail - it's incidental to the plot. This is much more a story about Indian women then a story about queer people - even though, obviously, it's both. I think queer people deserve both stories where our identities are central to the plot, and stories where they aren't. I deeply appreciate that one of the main characters is trans without, like, a "reason" she needs to be trans. And magically, no one is weird about it. That's not very common.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Racism
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
so. good!!! the subtweet is a biting, incisive story on ownership and culture. ive never smirked so much reading a book; its social commentary and portrayal of the systemic, structural problem through the personal lens are at once both realistic and irreverent - dealing w/ yts is indeed exhausting.
this is not a perfect book, but it does its own thing rly well. my main issue lies w/ rukmini, whom i feel a lot of things related to her gets glossed over or goes unaddressed by the end of the novel. i feel like she's a lil too far up her own a55 to consider others' feelings, though absolutely no one in this story is perfect (but who is?). for example, why doesnt she show any public support for selfhood? she obsesses over listening to it early and even subtweets abt it, yet is absolutely silent when her friend's album drops. or when she takes ages to reply to neela's texts. the main problem isnt even abt miscommunication but lack of communication here. the ending's also a lil too abrupt imo.
still, this is a book refreshingly filled w/ complex brown characters; exploration of the internet maelstrom and our social media-obsessed age; and an interesting inside look into the music industry (and its many duplicitous, eyebrow-raising practices). i rly enjoy this book and will be checking out vivek shraya's back catalogue for sure.
this is not a perfect book, but it does its own thing rly well. my main issue lies w/ rukmini, whom i feel a lot of things related to her gets glossed over or goes unaddressed by the end of the novel. i feel like she's a lil too far up her own a55 to consider others' feelings, though absolutely no one in this story is perfect (but who is?). for example, why doesnt she show any public support for selfhood? she obsesses over listening to it early and even subtweets abt it, yet is absolutely silent when her friend's album drops. or when she takes ages to reply to neela's texts. the main problem isnt even abt miscommunication but lack of communication here. the ending's also a lil too abrupt imo.
still, this is a book refreshingly filled w/ complex brown characters; exploration of the internet maelstrom and our social media-obsessed age; and an interesting inside look into the music industry (and its many duplicitous, eyebrow-raising practices). i rly enjoy this book and will be checking out vivek shraya's back catalogue for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying and Racism
Minor: Death
fronkiekong's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Sexual content
n_asyikin_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
TW: racism, cyberbullying
An enlivening exploration that brought to the forefront some issues relating to online culture, especially with the immediacy & intensity in engagement towards social discussions (e.g. racism, accountability, etc).
Shraya wrote in a compelling manner, evoking the same reactive emotions in me, the sorts one might feel when using social media sites. In other words, her writing was full of conviction; you'd find yourself being absorbed into the storyline with the line between what the characters went through, & what you perceived, blurring. I was engaged emotionally, but was also left contemplating a lot of the astute observations & commentaries made even hours after I've completed the book. I know I will still think about them for some time after.
Aside from the social commentaries, I thought this book explored well how the uncertainties & insecurities that may exist in our everyday interactions can be exacerbated by the internet. What should be a private misunderstanding or issue between two individuals can become a platform for unrelated audiences to engage & speculate sans valid evidences, reflecting a form of toxic entertainment. And critically, the book also pointed out how this toxicity could also be found done under the name of social justice. It highlighted how we tend to approach things in apathy & often, free of nuances - giving people no room for growth. That being said, how can people grow when we, the online community, cannot even agree on what one can do to show remorse? Furthermore, Shraya also pointed out how the unjust system (e.g. the privileged stay privileged, the powerful still exploits every day people) could be uphold while we were distracted by the chaos.
The book was well balanced out in terms of being driven by the plot & characters. Though at the end, there were one resolution that felt a bit like a cop out: why Kasi has not been responding to Neela. That being said, I did thought the (primarily) open ending was just perfect, though some might feel frustrated. However, I'd say don't let that stop you from reading this rather astute book. My mind & heart were opened wide to absorb it all in.
The harmony was not just between the progress between the plot & characters, but also between the insightful views & the humanity within the persons (i.e. characters) that are the nexus to this story. The Subtweet was such an engaging read!
An enlivening exploration that brought to the forefront some issues relating to online culture, especially with the immediacy & intensity in engagement towards social discussions (e.g. racism, accountability, etc).
Shraya wrote in a compelling manner, evoking the same reactive emotions in me, the sorts one might feel when using social media sites. In other words, her writing was full of conviction; you'd find yourself being absorbed into the storyline with the line between what the characters went through, & what you perceived, blurring. I was engaged emotionally, but was also left contemplating a lot of the astute observations & commentaries made even hours after I've completed the book. I know I will still think about them for some time after.
Aside from the social commentaries, I thought this book explored well how the uncertainties & insecurities that may exist in our everyday interactions can be exacerbated by the internet. What should be a private misunderstanding or issue between two individuals can become a platform for unrelated audiences to engage & speculate sans valid evidences, reflecting a form of toxic entertainment. And critically, the book also pointed out how this toxicity could also be found done under the name of social justice. It highlighted how we tend to approach things in apathy & often, free of nuances - giving people no room for growth. That being said, how can people grow when we, the online community, cannot even agree on what one can do to show remorse? Furthermore, Shraya also pointed out how the unjust system (e.g. the privileged stay privileged, the powerful still exploits every day people) could be uphold while we were distracted by the chaos.
The book was well balanced out in terms of being driven by the plot & characters. Though at the end, there were one resolution that felt a bit like a cop out:
The harmony was not just between the progress between the plot & characters, but also between the insightful views & the humanity within the persons (i.e. characters) that are the nexus to this story. The Subtweet was such an engaging read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Racial slurs, Bullying, and Death
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