Category: Feminist

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Representations of Women in Crime:  My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

‘My Sister. The Serial Killer.’ by Nigerian writer Oyinkan Braithwaite is a quick and gripping  read. It is about two sisters; Ayoola, the serial killer and Korede, the meticulous healthcare professional and an accessory to murder. Ayoola’s seemingly endless killing sprees test Korede’s loyalty and reserve.

Some would say that the ending disappoints as it doesnt allow you to neatly categorise this book at horror, crime or murder mystery. In fact it is probably better described as a family drama along the lines of ‘my sisters keeper’. Except with a much darker storyline. 

The story centres not on the serial killer but her sister, Korede. She is the fierce protective older sister and through her eyes the author builds up a story of a deep and intense sibling relationship. Characterised by the usual insecurities and rivalries but also bound by a deep loyalty that these murders test. Korede and Ayoola’s relationship dynamics is central to the plot. It humanises the situation, if not the killer.  

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Book Review: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

In  a world where I am increasingly feeling overwhelmed by the amount of content available, Convenience Store woman was a sharp and clear breath of fresh air. Originally written in Japanese by the best selling author Sayaka Murata, Convenience Store Women is the first of her 10 best sellers to be translated into English. The … Continue reading Book Review: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

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The Self and Motherhood : Abandon by Sangeeta Bandopadhyay

Reading this book reminded me why I love reading, it reminded me that literature has the power to connect with you deeply. Panty (which I have reviewed earlier here) is the first book I read by Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay and completely loved. So when I heard that Tilted Axis were publishing another one of her works in English I couldn’t wait! I’m always a bit worried when there is a book I really want coming out, you never know if a book is a one hit wonder (this is also the reason why Harper Lee’s Go set a Watchman is still on my bookshelf unread). I shouldn’t have worried though, once again Bandyopadhyay knocked me off my feet with this complex take about a woman struggling with her many Selfs.

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Review: Ishara Deen’s God Smites and Other Muslim Girl Problems

So much YES!

Although I haven’t stepped into the YA genre for a while I’m glad I got the chance to read and review this gem. I loved so much about this book. I found myself nodding and laughing out loud at so many points in the story. It was like speaking to an old friend who you just lost touch with but you meet after years and nothing has changed, you guys can reminisce about the old days and still complete each other’s sentences.

Ishara Deen is so right to dedicate this books to ‘all the girls that never got told they could, not even in books’.

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The Female Gaze , showing Fifty Shades How its Done and Other Mind Blowing Things

I’m so excited to write about this I don’t know where to start…

I went into London Book Reviews on my lunchbreak to get a copy of Island of Lost girls which has been recommended to me by many people but I just haven’t got around to getting it for some reason. Instead I bought Panty, on a whim, and I’m so glad I did!

Panty is originally written in Bengali by Sangeeta Bandhyopadhyay (SB) and has been translated into English by Arunava Sinha. SB is described as “the woman who reintroduced hardcore sexuality into Bengali literature”[1] so I was both intrigued and bit wary of a mills and boonesque horror awaiting me. Instead, I was met with a no-nonsense portrayal of contemporary Indian society, which explores female sexuality as only one of its themes. Among other things Panty deals with issues of nationhood, religion and questions what it means to be a feminist through a complicated relationship between the protagonist and her lover/boyfriend/partner? (we never find out).

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