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A review by namakurhea
The Gurkha's Daughter: Stories by Prajwal Parajuly
3.0
Picked this up for Q2 reading of @southasianbookclub 🥸📖 This is probably my first book ever that focuses on Nepali people and Nepali diaspora. The author himself, Prajwal Parajuly, has an Indian father and a Nepalese mother.
My reading if this was more … exploratory, if that makes sense? My knowledge about Nepal is unfortunately very limited (Everest, Annapurna Base Camp) and that one time I ate momo while in Strasbourg (of all places!!!). I didn’t know that there are a lot of layers wrt diplomatic and cultural relations between Nepal, Bhutan, and the Northeastern region of India. I always thought this side of the peninsula was always more ‘chill’ compared to the northwestern side. So it was definitely new for me!
Another thing I like about the book was how it captures the lived experience of Nepali disapora. A lot of reflections on one’s identity and family. It is something that anyone who’s been uprooted from their home can relate to.
Quite enjoyed the writing. The pacing was OK. There are depths to it. I especially liked “Passing Fancy” the most which was about a parent dealing with empty-nest after all the kids have migrated out of the country. The one that I disliked the most was the last one though (“The Immigrants”). It is just so cliche and I saw the ending from miles away lol like really, come on.
Definitely an enjoyable read! I would be open to read his other works. And would definitely want to start exploring other literary works by writers from Nepal, and Bhutan.
My reading if this was more … exploratory, if that makes sense? My knowledge about Nepal is unfortunately very limited (Everest, Annapurna Base Camp) and that one time I ate momo while in Strasbourg (of all places!!!). I didn’t know that there are a lot of layers wrt diplomatic and cultural relations between Nepal, Bhutan, and the Northeastern region of India. I always thought this side of the peninsula was always more ‘chill’ compared to the northwestern side. So it was definitely new for me!
Another thing I like about the book was how it captures the lived experience of Nepali disapora. A lot of reflections on one’s identity and family. It is something that anyone who’s been uprooted from their home can relate to.
Quite enjoyed the writing. The pacing was OK. There are depths to it. I especially liked “Passing Fancy” the most which was about a parent dealing with empty-nest after all the kids have migrated out of the country. The one that I disliked the most was the last one though (“The Immigrants”). It is just so cliche and I saw the ending from miles away lol like really, come on.
Definitely an enjoyable read! I would be open to read his other works. And would definitely want to start exploring other literary works by writers from Nepal, and Bhutan.