A review by cherry1012
The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya

3.0

maybe i wasn’t ready to read this book. the plot is great and the idea of discussing the complex relationship between Brown/Desi women is needed, but i struggled to relate to it. maybe because it’s supposed to be about a different generation of Brown women, but i did not feel anything. i will say the middle of the book is a lot stronger than the ending and while i didn’t care about the way the characters interact with each other, Neela breaking down her own envy and insecurity through Rukmini was nicely done. all of the characters are insufferable and i like how they bonded over a hatred for the bubbly and somewhat misguided Rukmini. that was the most real part. Neela and Rukmini are complex and though Rukmini makes sense to root for, the depth in which Neela is dissected throughout the book does so much for her character and her justification of wanting to protect her work. i think Vivek Shraya’s mind is great and if i read her work outside of book form, i’d find a deeper connection to what she has to say about relationships within the community but that’s a personal problem. i would still love to read more of Shraya’s books.