Girl Woman Other [Winner:Man Booker Prize 2019] [Book Review]
Title: Girl, Woman, Other
Author: Bernadine Evaristo
This is a beautiful work of intersectional literature. At the outset, inter-sectionalism was a term first defined by Kimberlie Krenshaw. Briefly put, it believed that feminine experiences were not limited to a monolithic experience, such as, the life of a caucasian woman living in an upper-middle-class neighbourhood being a definitive indicator of feminist struggle that over shadows the experiences of women in different strata of society and from various backgrounds.
The book pivots around the narratives of 12 women: black women and women of mixed heritage. It vibrates with the energies of all the women who have suffered and have risen above their suffering(s). .Overall it is representative of the the experiences of women in a myriad of sexualities and forms that come together in London. The novel reverberates with a cadence of restlessness owing to a desire to be heard, to be accepted, to belong and to rise above the xenophobia being directed towards those who are considered to be the "Other".
The book succinctly captured the fragmentation and anarchy that has enveloped feminism in recent decades. Some examples of this confusion and fragmentation are reflected in the relationship between Nzinga and Dominique. While reading Dominique's chapter I felt that their relationship really brought forth the splintered underpinnings of feminism especially the realisation that abusive partners are not relegated to a heteronormative realm; they are pervasive and universal. Similarly, Amma's worry that her desire to have a child and her love for being a mother will be viewed as a hypocritical contradiction to the feminist cause, is a very real and very apt example of the essentialist nuances inherent within certain aspects of feminism.
Aside from the feminist discourse, the book is also a treasure trove of London as it was, how it came to be, how it is now and how it is still evolving. The predominant idea of London conveyed in literature is that it is a city governed by the posh upper class and the westernised creatives. The other aspects of London, the one that people who live and have lived in it are aware of, the edgy, woke, rule-breaking cultural melting pot side of London, is often not so ably described. The excerpt of Amma's lodging in King's Cross and the eventual gentrification of the area illustrates this. Any one who has walked through King's Cross will have glimpsed the large buildings with a rebellious little night-spot somewhere in the middle of the institutional grey, that will suddenly have people gravitating towards it like homing pigeons post 11pm.
The author captured the present day confusion, angst and optimism of the generations beautifully. From Carole's concerted effort to change her accent to Yazz and Megan coming to grips with the world around them and trying to slowly find a foothold in it.
I found the book incredibly readable with the words flowing in form of a verse with a mild lilt that allows the words to carry the reader (rather than the other way around). However, if you are someone who inherently does not believe in a woman's right to self determination, then you will really dislike this book.
*Melody actually stands for a delicious toffee that is available in India. In other words, this book is a treat.
Author: Bernadine Evaristo
Girl Woman Other: A Long Awaited Intersectional Melody*
The book pivots around the narratives of 12 women: black women and women of mixed heritage. It vibrates with the energies of all the women who have suffered and have risen above their suffering(s). .Overall it is representative of the the experiences of women in a myriad of sexualities and forms that come together in London. The novel reverberates with a cadence of restlessness owing to a desire to be heard, to be accepted, to belong and to rise above the xenophobia being directed towards those who are considered to be the "Other".
The book succinctly captured the fragmentation and anarchy that has enveloped feminism in recent decades. Some examples of this confusion and fragmentation are reflected in the relationship between Nzinga and Dominique. While reading Dominique's chapter I felt that their relationship really brought forth the splintered underpinnings of feminism especially the realisation that abusive partners are not relegated to a heteronormative realm; they are pervasive and universal. Similarly, Amma's worry that her desire to have a child and her love for being a mother will be viewed as a hypocritical contradiction to the feminist cause, is a very real and very apt example of the essentialist nuances inherent within certain aspects of feminism.
Aside from the feminist discourse, the book is also a treasure trove of London as it was, how it came to be, how it is now and how it is still evolving. The predominant idea of London conveyed in literature is that it is a city governed by the posh upper class and the westernised creatives. The other aspects of London, the one that people who live and have lived in it are aware of, the edgy, woke, rule-breaking cultural melting pot side of London, is often not so ably described. The excerpt of Amma's lodging in King's Cross and the eventual gentrification of the area illustrates this. Any one who has walked through King's Cross will have glimpsed the large buildings with a rebellious little night-spot somewhere in the middle of the institutional grey, that will suddenly have people gravitating towards it like homing pigeons post 11pm.
The author captured the present day confusion, angst and optimism of the generations beautifully. From Carole's concerted effort to change her accent to Yazz and Megan coming to grips with the world around them and trying to slowly find a foothold in it.
I found the book incredibly readable with the words flowing in form of a verse with a mild lilt that allows the words to carry the reader (rather than the other way around). However, if you are someone who inherently does not believe in a woman's right to self determination, then you will really dislike this book.
*Melody actually stands for a delicious toffee that is available in India. In other words, this book is a treat.
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