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ambershelf 's review for:
Habitations
by Sheila Sundar
Gifted by the publisher
full review:
Sometimes, a book sneaks up on you when you're least expected and hits you so hard you're at a loss for words on how to describe it to do it justice. Sometimes, a book is so close to your heart that verbalizing how it resonates with you seems impossible. HABITAIONS is one of those books, and oh my heart.
Written with a quiet and contemplative narrative reminiscent of Weike Wang sprinkled with some Sally Rooney, HABITATIONS tells the story of Vega Gopalan, an Indian woman reeling from the death of her sister and immigrants from South India to New York City for grad school. Vega finds herself adrift as she moves in and out of a series of relationships to find the meaning of home.
HABITATIONS is a poignant exploration of identity, grief, untethering, and the quest for belonging. At its core, this debut appears to follow the familiar trajectory of an immigrant story, yet it distinguishes itself through Sundar's nuanced portrayal of Vega's emotional landscape. Through meditative prose infused with searing clarity, HABITATIONS delves into the complexities of uprootedness—Vega's struggle to reconcile her sister's death, adapt to a new country, and forge connections amidst the fear of inevitable loss.
Personally resonant for many immigrants, especially those who grew up elsewhere, HABITATIONS delves into the subtle nuances of navigating cultural identity and the weight of representation as an adult. Sundar delicately addresses the experience of feeling scrutinized and judged, subtly unpacking the expectations and stereotypes imposed upon immigrants. As Vega grapples with the pressure to perform for the "white gaze," the novel prompts readers to confront their own experiences of cultural assimilation and the unspoken complexities therein.
Grief, a central theme in HABITATIONS, is explored with profound insight as Sundar navigates Vega's relationships—a tapestry woven with threads of longing, connection, and the fear of vulnerability. In Vega's journey, we witness the intricate layers of loyalty and the hesitance to establish roots, echoing the multifaceted nature of one's experiences with loss. Sundar's poignant observation that "sometimes we don't realize we still have so many options ahead of us" strikes a poignant chord, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of grief.
In its evocative portrayal of melancholy tinged with moments of love and connection, HABITATIONS evokes the spirit of works like MY FRIENDS (Hisham Matar). I wholeheartedly recommend this profound and nuanced debut to readers seeking introspective literary fiction who want to read between the lines and marinate with one's thoughts.
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quick reading thoughts:
A quiet and contemplative novel. This story about an Indian immigrant is so close to my heart. It’s about grief and untethering, but not from overwritten assimilation tropes. As someone who immigrated to the US for grad school, I see so much of myself in Vega, and it spoke to me on so many levels, especially the aspect of watching my parents grow old from an ocean away gave me all the feels.
The writing reminds me of Weike Wang and has some Sally Rooney vibes. It’s a more vibe than plot book that’s heavily focused on Vega’s character, and I loved every moment reading it. I recommend HABITATIONS to those who want to spend time savoring a meandering, quiet, yet profound story.
full review:
Sometimes, a book sneaks up on you when you're least expected and hits you so hard you're at a loss for words on how to describe it to do it justice. Sometimes, a book is so close to your heart that verbalizing how it resonates with you seems impossible. HABITAIONS is one of those books, and oh my heart.
Written with a quiet and contemplative narrative reminiscent of Weike Wang sprinkled with some Sally Rooney, HABITATIONS tells the story of Vega Gopalan, an Indian woman reeling from the death of her sister and immigrants from South India to New York City for grad school. Vega finds herself adrift as she moves in and out of a series of relationships to find the meaning of home.
HABITATIONS is a poignant exploration of identity, grief, untethering, and the quest for belonging. At its core, this debut appears to follow the familiar trajectory of an immigrant story, yet it distinguishes itself through Sundar's nuanced portrayal of Vega's emotional landscape. Through meditative prose infused with searing clarity, HABITATIONS delves into the complexities of uprootedness—Vega's struggle to reconcile her sister's death, adapt to a new country, and forge connections amidst the fear of inevitable loss.
Personally resonant for many immigrants, especially those who grew up elsewhere, HABITATIONS delves into the subtle nuances of navigating cultural identity and the weight of representation as an adult. Sundar delicately addresses the experience of feeling scrutinized and judged, subtly unpacking the expectations and stereotypes imposed upon immigrants. As Vega grapples with the pressure to perform for the "white gaze," the novel prompts readers to confront their own experiences of cultural assimilation and the unspoken complexities therein.
Grief, a central theme in HABITATIONS, is explored with profound insight as Sundar navigates Vega's relationships—a tapestry woven with threads of longing, connection, and the fear of vulnerability. In Vega's journey, we witness the intricate layers of loyalty and the hesitance to establish roots, echoing the multifaceted nature of one's experiences with loss. Sundar's poignant observation that "sometimes we don't realize we still have so many options ahead of us" strikes a poignant chord, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of grief.
In its evocative portrayal of melancholy tinged with moments of love and connection, HABITATIONS evokes the spirit of works like MY FRIENDS (Hisham Matar). I wholeheartedly recommend this profound and nuanced debut to readers seeking introspective literary fiction who want to read between the lines and marinate with one's thoughts.
-
quick reading thoughts:
A quiet and contemplative novel. This story about an Indian immigrant is so close to my heart. It’s about grief and untethering, but not from overwritten assimilation tropes. As someone who immigrated to the US for grad school, I see so much of myself in Vega, and it spoke to me on so many levels, especially the aspect of watching my parents grow old from an ocean away gave me all the feels.
The writing reminds me of Weike Wang and has some Sally Rooney vibes. It’s a more vibe than plot book that’s heavily focused on Vega’s character, and I loved every moment reading it. I recommend HABITATIONS to those who want to spend time savoring a meandering, quiet, yet profound story.