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A review by raji_c
So Now You Know: A Memoir of Growing Up Gay in India by Vivek Tejuja
3.0
This is undoubtedly a brave, unapologetic, and honest account of growing up gay in India. After dealing with as much bullying and harassment as Vivek Tejuja did, to open himself up to more of such cruel behaviour and judgement from ignorant or insensitive people with such a candid account of his life and loves is an act of great courage. I respect and admire him for it. I don’t think I could have ever done anything like it.
However, I was a little underwhelmed by the writing. I have read and admired many of Tejuja’s book reviews and probably expected more from his book. Or it was Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We are Briefly Gorgeous that is at fault. Because that is a very tough act to follow.
I found the writing here a little repetitive. The narrative also rambles a bit and while I could make allowances for it initially, eventually it affected my engagement with the story. It is a memoir, however, and the author chose a particular style to reflect on his life. Unfortunately, it just didn’t resonate with me, although many of his reminiscences about Bombay and Bollywood struck a chord because they were a part of my life as well.
However, I was a little underwhelmed by the writing. I have read and admired many of Tejuja’s book reviews and probably expected more from his book. Or it was Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We are Briefly Gorgeous that is at fault. Because that is a very tough act to follow.
I found the writing here a little repetitive. The narrative also rambles a bit and while I could make allowances for it initially, eventually it affected my engagement with the story. It is a memoir, however, and the author chose a particular style to reflect on his life. Unfortunately, it just didn’t resonate with me, although many of his reminiscences about Bombay and Bollywood struck a chord because they were a part of my life as well.