Classic fairytales have always been a grey area. With damsels in distress, Prince charming in carriages, evil queens and whatnot. We have been told princesses need saving by a perfect prince, there are evil queens and kings and witches. They always tried to separate right from wrong. But what if, this differentiation of right and wrong is not that easy? What if the princesses don’t need saving and can save themselves? What if the princes are not always kind-hearted and charming but are evil ones? What if the evil queens and witches had a reason for being so? What if we see all these fairytales from a different perspective?

This is what Nikita Gill is trying to show in Fierce Fairytales and is reimagining a few classic fairytales like Peter Pan, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, The Little Mermaid etc., and showing their darker and fierce versions. Following a feminist approach, and good vs bad debate, Gill has put a much-needed twist on these stories while bringing up important themes such as self-love, mental health, abuse, love, friendships, and women empowerment.

There is a lot of emphasis on being kind and brave and accepting to love yourself and to be equally receptive and have solidarity towards other women instead of viewing them as our competitors and not friends. We as women often forget this.

The writing style of Gill is so good that she makes you believe in the other side of those who were turned into villains because of the narratives. What if these villains were like that because of the hardships they went through and May be that’s the only way they taught themselves to survive in this cruel world?

Written in verse, this poetry collection has poems for everyone. If you love fairytales and want to see a different approach to them, definitely pick this collection. If you often find yourself in that ‘grey’ area thinking about what’s actually good or bad, right or wrong, then definitely pick this poetry collection to spring up your brain cells.

This was my first book by Nikita Gill but it definitely won’t be my last ☺️ 

American Born Chinese had been on my tbr for ages and the recent series adaptation pushed me to finally cross this from my reading list. It is a captivating and introspective read that explores themes of cultural identity, assimilation and the impact of stereotypes, by weaving together three distinct storylines.

The first storyline explores the experiences of Jin Wang, a Chinese-American boy navigating the challenges of fitting in at a predominantly white school. The second storyline revolves around the legendary Monkey King, a character from Chinese folklore who faces discrimination and seeks acceptance among the gods. Lastly, there is the story of Chin-Kee, a stereotypical and offensive caricature of a Chinese exchange student who visits his all-American cousin.

Yang skillfully weaves together humour, mythology, and social commentary to create a thought-provoking narrative. The incorporation of the Monkey King's story and the character of Chin-Kee is quite clever as it exposes and deconstructs the harmful effects of cultural and racial caricatures.

The book's artwork is a blend of traditional comic book styles with influences from Chinese folklore and culture and perfectly complements the storytelling. They not only capture the emotions of the characters but also enhance the exploration of the themes.

That being said, I had an issue with the overall execution of the story, especially the ending. I loved how the three different storylines were merged in the end, but the way that was done was abrupt and fell flat. It was rather quick. I wanted to see more of Jin Wang coming to terms with his cultural identity and accepting himself as he was.

However, it is a heartfelt exploration of the struggle to balance cultural heritage with societal expectations and what it means to navigate between two cultures. It reminds readers of the importance of embracing one's true identity and heritage while challenging harmful stereotypes. Definitely worth reading. 

Kim Jiyoung is me. Kim Jiyoung is almost every woman around me. Kim Jiyoung is the sum total of all the prejudices and hardships a woman has to endure in this patriarchal society!

Set in Korea, this story is not unique per day. You might have read many stories talking about patriarchy, sexism and feminism. What is unique though is it’s backed up by statistical data from the country. Throughout this Novella, I didn’t feel like I was reading the experiences of Korean women and sexism and gender discrimination they face in day-to-day life — be it be their home, education or work environment — but rather my own and so many other women. The intensity might be different, but it is all there rooted in the society.

I don’t have a brother, we are two sisters. And since childhood, I have seen the various reactions of people when they hear that there is no son. Like Jiyoung, I have seen the male members of the family getting the first servings, better things. It is not unusual and so deeply rooted that even I am ingrown in those customs.

The things we hear in schools, the discrimination we face in the working environment, and the expectations of us as a mother, are all too well similar to that of Jiyoung. Sure we have come a long way as a country, but still we have such a long path ahead of us to travel.

Jiyoung’s story is a cry for help, to make society understand the way it has been/is treating women. The ending brings the story to a full circle; it ended where it started. Cho Nam-Joo’s writing isn’t extraordinary per se, but it will enrage you and will make you see Jiyoung as yourself.

Give this book to men in your lives, give this to your sons, give this to women, for it is a reflection of the society we live in and the work we still need to do to gain gender equality. 

#kimjiyoungborn1982 #koreanliterature #chonamjoo