michromeu's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
So I loved a lot of this book, and could really identify with the main character feeling "too Indian for Americans, and too American for Indians" (roughly paraphrasing) - just replace "Indian" with "Latin" and you've got the story of my life. I feel like a lot of the cultural confusion rang true and I was really drawn in by Dimple's voice throughout the entire story. I also really enjoyed how Dimple's relationship with her parents evolved throughout the story, and how our perception of her parents changed by the end, as well. I thought the characters were well-drawn and dynamic.
My two main gripes are these: one, this book is set in the early 2000s, but for some reason it felt dated to me instead of nostalgic. This could also be due to the fact that it was also written in the early 2000s, but something about it felt off to me.
Two, the character of Dimple's white best friend Gwyn made me deeply uncomfortable throughout the novel. The issue of her appropriation of Indian culture is brought up briefly at a couple of points, and it may be that the author was presenting her as an example of what is wrong with cultural appropriation. Regardless, there were too many times where I was blatantly shocked at the ways in which she was exploiting Dimple and her culture, and it felt as though the narrative was saying it's ok. If you're going to put in a character and use her as an example of what NOT to do, then maybe you should make it more obvious that you're not condoning it?
In the end, I liked the novel, but the message regarding cultural appropriation and exploitation was unclear, which preventing me from fully enjoying it.
So I loved a lot of this book, and could really identify with the main character feeling "too Indian for Americans, and too American for Indians" (roughly paraphrasing) - just replace "Indian" with "Latin" and you've got the story of my life. I feel like a lot of the cultural confusion rang true and I was really drawn in by Dimple's voice throughout the entire story. I also really enjoyed how Dimple's relationship with her parents evolved throughout the story, and how our perception of her parents changed by the end, as well. I thought the characters were well-drawn and dynamic.
My two main gripes are these: one, this book is set in the early 2000s, but for some reason it felt dated to me instead of nostalgic. This could also be due to the fact that it was also written in the early 2000s, but something about it felt off to me.
Two, the character of Dimple's white best friend Gwyn made me deeply uncomfortable throughout the novel. The issue of her appropriation of Indian culture is brought up briefly at a couple of points, and it may be that the author was presenting her as an example of what is wrong with cultural appropriation. Regardless, there were too many times where I was blatantly shocked at the ways in which she was exploiting Dimple and her culture, and it felt as though the narrative was saying it's ok. If you're going to put in a character and use her as an example of what NOT to do, then maybe you should make it more obvious that you're not condoning it?
In the end, I liked the novel, but the message regarding cultural appropriation and exploitation was unclear, which preventing me from fully enjoying it.
caitatoes's review against another edition
4.0
the use of fake expletives is what gets me most about this book, it reads too much like what an adult thinks a kid would cuss like. but maybe i'm just out of the loop with how the kids cuss in Jersey. also, the bit at the end where Dimple gets the brunt of the blame for her and Gwen's fight, despite the fact that Gwen was, for the whole back half of the book (and as only one character mentioned and then immediately dropped, and was never mentioned again) fully appropriating Dimple's culture and was trying to be more brown because of it. Even in their fight, and subsequent make-up, Gwen still comes out shining and on top, and nothing ever happened because of or to solve her bad behavior. meanwhile Dimple gets the boy (and was fully willing to let him go if that's what he and Gwen wanted, meanwhile Gwen accuses her of, basically, sabotage or something close to it) but she still is the only one who actually feels negative emotion because of the way she acted. this is partially because the book is written from Dimple's point of view, sure, but if Gwen truly did feel bad about openly, explicitly, and meanly dumping on Dimple in order to win a boy from her then something should indicate that other than one single apology at the end. Dimple should have been more open about her feelings, yes, but Gwen shouldn't have been just, like, a huge bitch the whole time.
marpesea's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhere between two and three stars. The writing was lovely, but the book itself was bloated--so many times emotions were described brilliantly and then blatantly stated.
kricketa's review against another edition
5.0
this book is so good that kaavya viswanathan lifted entire passages of it for her book "how opal mehta got kissed, got wild, and got a life," and when i read the latter i actually recognized where they were from.
first read: april 2007
second read (in anticipation of the sequel!!): august 2014
this book is just as good, maybe even better, the second time around. i love desai hidier's style and how easy it is to get caught up in. found myself yellling "frock!" instead of my usual f-bomb the other day when i stubbed my toe. super excited for bombay blues!
first read: april 2007
second read (in anticipation of the sequel!!): august 2014
this book is just as good, maybe even better, the second time around. i love desai hidier's style and how easy it is to get caught up in. found myself yellling "frock!" instead of my usual f-bomb the other day when i stubbed my toe. super excited for bombay blues!
samiism's review against another edition
3.0
I thought I would be reading a fluffy YA book. I was wrong. Born Confused is actually quite deep. The downside is it becomes angsty and drawn out at times. The main character, Dimple, was written in such a way that I felt a connection with her. It felt like she and I were friends, and there were many times when I wanted to help her deal with what she was going through. I don't often encounter this kind of writing, which isn't a bad thing. I liked that the author was able to help me engage with the story.
catpingu's review against another edition
5.0
Best Asian-culture read ever! So accurate in its portrayal of the problems of Asian-American (or Asian-subcontinent) kids in modern-day America!
Not only is the language unimaginable hilarious, but it's also a very thought-provoking book.
The ending just sort of surprised me, and yet it didn't, it because at the end, it proved that there are sides to people that we haven't seen yet, and that we are always admiring of our friends.
Not only is the language unimaginable hilarious, but it's also a very thought-provoking book.
The ending just sort of surprised me, and yet it didn't, it because at the end, it proved that there are sides to people that we haven't seen yet, and that we are always admiring of our friends.
alinurursahar's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
daisey's review against another edition
2.0
This is an interesting coming of age story from a different perspective and with different influences than I've read before. I liked seeing how Dimple slowly learned to be herself and accept herself for who she was as she learned more about the people around her and accepted them as they were. The main plot line was fairly predictable, but I enjoyed how she used her photography to connect, learn, grow, and share throughout the story. In addition, although some of the scenes were wonderfully described in rich detail, other parts just seemed to drag on. I sometimes found myself skimming rapidly ahead.
Due to the length, writing style, and some more mature content, I would consider recommending this book to high school students, but not most middle school students.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
Due to the length, writing style, and some more mature content, I would consider recommending this book to high school students, but not most middle school students.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.