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A review by knkoch
China Room by Sunjeev Sahota
emotional
sad
medium-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
3.75
A deeply sad look at the way oppressive societal structures can make human life almost impossible, particularly for those at the bottom of the hierarchy. It’s a twin tale from the perspective of a young Sikh bride and her eventual great grandson: she lacks the freedom to even look her husband in the eye, and he is choking under the weight of intense racial discrimination in Britain. Both resist as they search for some kind of freedom or transcendence of their circumstances.
These two narratives are well paired, but it was a hard read for me. I found Mehar, the young woman, more compelling, and sometimes her story ended in suspense with a sudden shift to the unnamed young man’s narrative. The story overall angered and saddened me.
These two narratives are well paired, but it was a hard read for me. I found Mehar, the young woman, more compelling, and sometimes her story ended in suspense with a sudden shift to the unnamed young man’s narrative. The story overall angered and saddened me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Racism