Welcome to Litsy!

This landed on my radar thanks to @Singout ‘s #AuldLangSpine list and how thankful I am! I normally avoid short stories (because “give me more!” or “what was that?”). BUT! These stories are fully realized and effective in storytelling. Haunting and often full of magical realism heightening everyday emotions: sibling jealousy, a teen being bullied, neglected stepdaughter (Cinderella!), divorce. Centers women & lgbtq+ experiences. Excellent!

Such a powerful collection of 13 short stories: almost all with South Asian/Canadian characters reflecting complex issues related to queerness, family and relationships, racism, transformation out of oppressive identities and expectations (hence “Chrysalis”), abuse, and paranormal/Magical realism/spiritual elements. Each one is very different, and a few fall flat for me, but the lyricism and deep explorations of complex issues are captivating.

Somewhere in the city, the family into whose hands I was born mourns the boy I never was, fails to see who I am, who I've always been. The failure is theirs, not mine, and I am strong enough to let them go, to speak of my body with gentle words, to make of myself a woman who is sparkling and strange and whole. There is space for all these things. This too, after all, is love.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
“The first time lightning struck Bhupati's shrine to Goddess Lakshmi, it set her face on fire.”