readingwithhippos's review against another edition
3.0
If you don’t have a dark sense of humor, this book probably won’t be funny to you. Scaachi Koul’s humor is anything but lighthearted, and the subjects she tackles include rape culture, racism, and life as the child of immigrants. I listened to the audio version, as I almost always do with personal essays and memoirs, but in this case I’m not sure I’d recommend it. Koul’s delivery is as morose as her subject matter, stifling any potential laughs and turning my reading experience kind of emo. Although this particular brand of funny doesn’t work for me, Koul is smart and perceptive and has a lot of important things to say, so I'm glad I read it. If you like dry humor with an edge, or hell, if the title makes you smile instead of cringe, then this could be the book for you.
karimorton33's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun and insightful book! I really enjoyed the mix of personal stories and linking those to larger issues in society. The essays about immigration and longing for the past, and hair, were probably my favourites. I laughed out loud quite a bit reading this book which is always appreciated when reading about potentially heavy topics. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of Scaachi's relationship with her parents. A great read!
mariahhanley's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. I loved the stories about her parents and her anxieties, coming home, leaving home, growing up, and figuring out what adulting is. The book made me laugh out loud and smile in understanding.
haylstormer's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book while on vacation and it was quite a delightful pool-side read.
Scaachi has a captivating voice that is quick-witted and well humored. She speaks well to a modern audience and to any milennial. Much of this book is about the challenges she faces with traditional Indian parents and growing up as a modern American woman. Some of the practices in dating and traditions just don't gel with life today...She makes me laugh when she talks about upsetting her dad and he gets grumpy and gives her the silent treatment. She talks a lot about her wonderful boyfriend and their life together.
This book is nice. 4 stars.
Scaachi has a captivating voice that is quick-witted and well humored. She speaks well to a modern audience and to any milennial. Much of this book is about the challenges she faces with traditional Indian parents and growing up as a modern American woman. Some of the practices in dating and traditions just don't gel with life today...She makes me laugh when she talks about upsetting her dad and he gets grumpy and gives her the silent treatment. She talks a lot about her wonderful boyfriend and their life together.
This book is nice. 4 stars.
sarasofraz's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it!!!! SO funny, cute, sad, relatable, and well-written essays about living the life of a brown woman in western country. I mean any woman who can get both of her hands stuck in two different salsa jars at the same time is relatable.
I literally wanted to call my mum as soon as I read this:
Nothing bad can happen to you if you're with your mom. Your mom can stop a bullet from lodging in your heart. She can prop you up when you can't. Your mom is your blood and bone before your body even knows how to make any.
Other great tidbits are:
But the sound that's made when someone, say, cuts an item of clothing they weren't supposed to is criminal. It's the dying scream of someone you love. It is the final whisper of your pride. It is the quietest slap in the face you will ever feel.
white people love skiing: they're always doing weird shit with snow.
James works in finance now. He lives in Boston. We are all eventually punished for our sins.
The piece about indian weddings is TOO REAL. Anyone having been to weddings since their childhood having to sit in uncomfortable chairs and uncomfortable clothes and waiting for the ceremonies to end knows that it is HELL and one day you will be the one everyone keeps pulling and pinching and doing things to as a rag doll.
The piece about online harassment and rape culture is just fucking sad. I hate the world sometimes.
I literally wanted to call my mum as soon as I read this:
Nothing bad can happen to you if you're with your mom. Your mom can stop a bullet from lodging in your heart. She can prop you up when you can't. Your mom is your blood and bone before your body even knows how to make any.
Other great tidbits are:
But the sound that's made when someone, say, cuts an item of clothing they weren't supposed to is criminal. It's the dying scream of someone you love. It is the final whisper of your pride. It is the quietest slap in the face you will ever feel.
white people love skiing: they're always doing weird shit with snow.
James works in finance now. He lives in Boston. We are all eventually punished for our sins.
The piece about indian weddings is TOO REAL. Anyone having been to weddings since their childhood having to sit in uncomfortable chairs and uncomfortable clothes and waiting for the ceremonies to end knows that it is HELL and one day you will be the one everyone keeps pulling and pinching and doing things to as a rag doll.
The piece about online harassment and rape culture is just fucking sad. I hate the world sometimes.
cokechukwu's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fantastic debut essay collection from a promising young writer. Koul's essays are at turns hilarious and vulgar, tender and warm. She expertly finds the absurdity in the mundane, in the style of David Sedaris (one of her idols), and brings the same deft touch to topics like dressing room mishaps and knuckle shaving as she does to weighty issues like racism and rape culture. I think all brown/immigrant girls will see a little of themselves and their families in her and hers.
The real MVP of the book though is Koul's father, whose stubbornness and sardonic humor make him difficult to live with, as she tells it, but have also been inherited by his fiery, funny daughter.
The real MVP of the book though is Koul's father, whose stubbornness and sardonic humor make him difficult to live with, as she tells it, but have also been inherited by his fiery, funny daughter.
jessicapc's review against another edition
3.0
Quite unequal, but I feel like the chapters on alcohol consumption and rape culture are must-reads.