A review by kikireads
Valmiki's Daughter by Shani Mootoo

4.0

The simplest plots can take on the world. With the two families Mootoo charts cultural, political, social, and sexual histories and identities. She broaches topics specific to a particular Trinidadian context. (Tobago don't figure at all, tbh. Not in a way I could decipher.) With this book, obviously in dialogue with A House for Mr Biswas, Mootoo goes beyond its limits, using gender, sexuality, and aspects of T&T's colonial past, to emphasise the multiplicity that can and does exist in the most conservative East Indian families.

Viveka identifies as non-binary (even though she doesn't use that term). I was so glad Mootoo made it explicit. First time reading a Caribbean novel with a genderqueer MC. We need more please.

This is not my final review. Just had to get some words out about this marvellous novel. Thanks, Kay!