Written by contributor Jee W
In celebration of the month of love, I thought I’d share with you some stunning debuts by BIPOC and/or exophonic authors I had come across recently, whose stories I fell head over heels in love with!
Unbound: A Tale of Love and Betrayal in Shanghai by Dina Gu Brumfield
A page-turner with great characters, ‘Unbound’ is a multigenerational story of two strong-willed women, a grandmother and granddaughter who survived the odds despite their circumstances and their determination to live a life on their own terms amid political upheaval and the turmoil of war. Despite English being her second language, the author was able to weave a brilliant, well-written story that I found inspiring and uplifting. I really enjoyed simplicity of her writing, as it allowed me to be totally immersed in the story and characters. This is one of those books which I thought didn’t get enough recognition.
A Burning by Megha Majumdar
Looking for a quick, fast-paced read? Pick this one up. It was so good I had a hard time putting it down. We have 3 characters: Jivan, a Muslim girl living in the slums was accused of being involved in a terrorist attack; PT Sir, a gym teacher unexpectedly got roped in to being a politician, and one who reaped all benefits of being one; and Lovely, a hijra who had the chance of setting Jivan free, but at a cost. ‘A Burning’ is a little novel that packs a punch with laser-sharp storytelling and unforgettable characters. A dazzling debut!
The Mountains Sing by Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
Going into this book I didn’t know what to expect. And my, was I in for a heartbreaking, harrowing journey. This book should come with a box of tissues. ‘The Mountains Sing’ is a mesmerising family saga, covering four generations, that’s centred around the Great Famine, the Land Reform and the Vietnam War, told from the perspectives of Hương and her Grandma Diệu Lan. Diệu Lan was brought up in a wealthy farming family, The Trấn, in Nghe An Province. This is a book by another exophonic writer, whose lyrical prose I fell head over heels in love with. Not only her writing showed experience and depth, but also her passion for words and storytelling.
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
This book had a lasting impression on me. In Seoul, South Korea, we meet 5 women – Kyuri, a room salon girl; Miho, an emerging artist; Ara a hairstylist, Wonna, a pregnant lady in her forties, and Sujin, Ara’s former high school friend. Miho and Sujin were raised in an orphanage in Cheongju. Each story is told from their perspective, except Sujin, whose story we’ll know from the girls, except Wonna. ‘If I Had Your Face’ is a shocking and heartbreaking novel about beauty, patriarchy, sexism, class, filial piety and friendship, with characters so intricately drawn, you can’t help but to empathize with them and hold them dear to your heart. An unforgettable debut!
The Girl with The Louding Voice by Abi Daré
An unforgettable and inspiring novel about a 14-year-old girl, Adunni who not only lost her mother, but also her family, her friends, and most of all, her education and freedom to be who she is. She was raped by a man old enough to be her father, and bullied by his first wife. Only Khadija, the second wife, befriended her. Unfortunately, the friendship didn’t last and it devastated Adunni, and she was left to face the cruel world all alone. This story is about a girl who was faced with challenges after challenges, but like an inflatable punching bag, she kept bouncing back, again and again. The Girl with The Louding Voice is a compelling debut that will pull at your heartstrings.
