I bought this book as it's this month's @dotheworkbookclub pick. In amongst everything else that was reading slumpy about this month, nothing about this book (mostly the cover) was grabbing me about it. I didn't feel desperate to read it.
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I can't believe I delayed it all month! I LOVED this book. It goes against my instincts because I hate long chapters, but this was written so beautifully it didn't feel like a slog. Whilst the book is not a memoir, everything about it feels like it. It's split into six stories - all at a different point on the protoganists childhood. There are two key themes running throughout the book. The political unrest in Sri Lanka and the fact that Arjie is gay. His family refer to him as 'funny' and seemingly try to gently push that side of him away. But he's happy dressing up as the main event in games of bride-bride at the tender age of 7. As we go through each story, which start off so sweet and innocent and lose that light heartedness as we go deeper through the book, we learn that this isn't just a phase and he is most definitely gay. He battles with it himself after his first 'experience' - the depth of emotion is written so beautifully. The final story is written as a series of journal entries and although his sexuality is referenced, this chapter of his life is extremely eye opening as we're told of the unrest in Sri Lanka between the Tamils and the Sinhalese.
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This books is so perfect. It's written exquisitely and Selvadurai truly takes you on a heart breaking journey with Arjie and his family.