July 1, 2024
In 1992, Stanford freshman Gita Desai dreams of becoming a doctor. Gita is motivated in part by the encouragement of Pinky Auntie, her father's sister who lived with Gita's family for a few years before abruptly returning to India when Gita was 9. Pinky's disappearance haunts Gita, as do unsettling memories involving Neil, Pinky's husband, and Neil's friend Bhavin. At college, Gita meets fellow freshmen Jane West and Marisol Walter, and they immediately form a trio. Gita, whose family is Gujarati, cherishes these new friendships but is exasperated by the endless attention that her two charming, beautiful friends receive from men--attention that never extends to her. Gita's realization that she longs to be desirable coincides with her first sexual encounter, which turns into assault. She blames herself and tells herself she must "work hard and fix it," but subsequent sexual encounters end similarly, with Gita unable to vocalize her refusal and dissociating. As Gita's self-shaming intensifies, so does the return of disjointed childhood memories--until she arrives at an awful truth. The sense of dread builds until an explosive, cathartic confrontation occurs. Patel, whose own experiences inform this story, infuses Gita's first-person narration with thoughtfulness and humor that make her growing confusion and self-loathing cut deeply. Thankfully, Gita's friends are there to support her when she finally finds her voice. Funny, messy, gut-wrenching; a tough read that's worth the discomfort. (author's note, resources) (Fiction. 15-18)
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July 8, 2024
Informed by personal experience, as addressed in an endnote, this searing 1992-set novel by Patel (Bloody Seoul) explores the ways that prolonged abuse can shape behavior. Though her Gujarati-Indian immigrant parents would rather she get married than attend university, premed student Gita Desai is excited to start her freshman year at Stanford, where she plans to keep her head down and her grades up. But Gita doesn’t expect to befriend and attend frat parties with her across-the-hall neighbor Jane or beautiful model Marisol. Yet even as she immerses herself in college life, she’s distracted by memories of her and her beloved auntie, and of the man who abused them both. Gita’s family has always said “chup-re” (Gujarati for “be quiet”) when she tried to talk about difficult topics; now, she lacks the tools to make sense of her desires and struggles to speak up for herself in intimate situations. While Gita’s journey toward finding her own voice is plagued by male characters who—both intentionally and unconsciously—cause her physical and mental harm, bright spots in the form of her kindhearted older brother and supportive gay peer help to carry the burden. Ages 14–up. Agent: Victoria Wells Arms, HG Literary.
September 1, 2024
Grades 10-12 For freshmen Gita Desai, Stanford isn't just fulfilling her premed dreams; it's also postponing the arranged marriage expected by her Gujarati parents. But like her inquiries about why her aunt Pinky and uncle Neil disappeared from her life when she was nine, Gita is told to "chup-re," or shut up, about her feelings about arranged marriage. At Stanford, Gita is welcomed into the carefree fold of the 1990s by "it girls" Jane and Marisol. Envious but equally unnerved by the attention both attract, Gita's yearning sweeps her into many firsts and a drunken night that ends with her sexual assault. Afterward, self-blaming and shame-filled, Gita begins having flashbacks of disturbing dormant childhood memories. The fragility of Gita's encounters with men grows, to the point where tamping down her feelings is no longer an option. Although she sounds quite young at times, Gita's naivete and repressed sexual desires match an upbringing devoid of trust and open dialogue. Autobiographical in part to Patel's own story, many passages can be uncomfortable, but Gita reclaiming her voice is worth the journey.
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