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A review by wenwanzhao
Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Magical realism has always been my favourite genre. It is nice to imagine that in a world that looks like mine, there can exist mystical things deemed improbable by scientific explanation. Sanjena Sathian expertly weaves her creative point of magic into the world she has written. The concept of "gold digging" is explored not only through the gold lemonade concoctions created by Anjali, but in the history Neil uncovers, in the music the teens listen to, in the culture and gossip of their community.
Sathian writes about a culture familiar to me and many others. The pressure and desire to do well, to fit in and succeed in the world, is immense. If all the edge you needed to win was skimming the gold off of the success of others, would you do it? It's easy to say that I would not. Any drug will hurt more than it helps. The withdrawal effects of the gold drink seemingly never going away. Even still, the question lingers...
The writing in the novel is very satisfying to me. It doesn't try too hard to sound pretentious or smart, and doesn't fall into the trappings of trying to be too modern or relatable either. The narration Neil gives is clearly coloured by his perspective, but leaves room for greater understanding of other characters. The two time periods that the characters reside in are ones that remain distinct in my mind in different ways. Sathian doesn't explicitly drop details about 2006 or 2016, but the little things she does include bring me back to those respective times all the same.
The story detailed to us in Gold Diggers is odd and yet, of perfect sense.It is about two people still hooked on a golden drug, trying to save the lives of the woman who helped them first. It is also about the lengths people will go to attain the immigrant dream. It is also about a guy figuring out his place in his family and country. It is worthy of endless analysis, critique, and discussion.
Sathian has written one of the best books released this year. Gold Diggers is funny, empathetic, and harsh, like the real immigrant experience is.
Sathian writes about a culture familiar to me and many others. The pressure and desire to do well, to fit in and succeed in the world, is immense. If all the edge you needed to win was skimming the gold off of the success of others, would you do it? It's easy to say that I would not. Any drug will hurt more than it helps. The withdrawal effects of the gold drink seemingly never going away. Even still, the question lingers...
The writing in the novel is very satisfying to me. It doesn't try too hard to sound pretentious or smart, and doesn't fall into the trappings of trying to be too modern or relatable either. The narration Neil gives is clearly coloured by his perspective, but leaves room for greater understanding of other characters. The two time periods that the characters reside in are ones that remain distinct in my mind in different ways. Sathian doesn't explicitly drop details about 2006 or 2016, but the little things she does include bring me back to those respective times all the same.
The story detailed to us in Gold Diggers is odd and yet, of perfect sense.
Sathian has written one of the best books released this year. Gold Diggers is funny, empathetic, and harsh, like the real immigrant experience is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual content
Minor: Mental illness, Suicide, and Vomit