Born Confused

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It's a hit!

An interesting foray into young adult fiction (after being away for years), Hidier's book reads like a Bollywood movie. The infusion of music, danc... (show more)

An interesting foray into young adult fiction (after being away for years), Hidier's book reads like a Bollywood movie. The infusion of music, dance, and love made me half expect Shahrukh Khan to pop out at some point and start shaking his hips to A.R. Rahman's music. Following Dimple Lala's summer before Junior year, we see a confused teenager who abhors her own culture, but slowly grows to appreciate her "Desi"-ness. She gains this appreciation via Gwyn, her excitable gora friend, and Karsh, the man her parents want her to marry. Karsh is like every Bollywood hero - he allows Dimple to grow into herself (sometimes infuriatingly so) - before he is ready to show that he's the one for her.

Overall a great book, the pacing is good but slow at parts (I had to skip ahead of some of the repetition). Hidier's debut novel is a good read for those unfamiliar with the Desi culture and want to relive their high school youth of emotions, confusion, and drama. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook-användare

No, it's a flop!

I was really underwhelmed by this one, especially considering all the positive reviews I've read. The writing is completely uneven, the story is fa... (show more)

I was really underwhelmed by this one, especially considering all the positive reviews I've read. The writing is completely uneven, the story is fairly predictable, and the pacing is problematic. I enjoyed the scenes with her parents (though at times I felt like the author was pushing the boundaries of laughing with vs. laughing at them), but I could not stand the romantic elements. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook-användare

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  This is the story of Dimple Lala growing up and finding herself over the summer between 11th and 12th grade. There is romance in there, and there is friendship stuff, but really it's about Dimple. I've been reading more young adult books lately (so many of the interesting books I see recced are YA...) and a lot of them really feel like it. This did in some ways (the feel of the POV felt more like a novel aimed at teens), but it wasn't dumbed down or anything. I really enjoyed this book a lot,... (show more)

  This is the story of Dimple Lala growing up and finding herself over the summer between 11th and 12th grade. There is romance in there, and there is friendship stuff, but really it's about Dimple. I've been reading more young adult books lately (so many of the interesting books I see recced are YA...) and a lot of them really feel like it. This did in some ways (the feel of the POV felt more like a novel aimed at teens), but it wasn't dumbed down or anything. I really enjoyed this book a lot, and I'm sad to see Hidier hasn't written any other novels.

  I did have some frustrations with it, namely that because it's first person and Dimple doesn't really speak up when people blame her for stuff, it comes off feeling like we're supposed to think she was the one in the wrong. (With Gwyn, it kind of came around at the end (though I still felt like she never admitted/realised what an ass she'd been to Dimple), but by the end of the book I was still left feeling like Dimple was blamed for the mixups with Karsh, even though it would be ridiculous to read his behaviour any other way than she does. In fact, I was shocked that he said he had never been dating Gwyn. I was sure that he was dating her, but still had feelings for Dimple, and I am just so confused as to what the fuck he thought he was doing if not dating Gwyn.) Also Gwyn seriously bugged me. Like, the whole time. I loved um, the lesbian cousin, whose name I can't remember right now. And Zara! ♥ And Dimple's parents were awesome, too.

  Very highly recommended. (show less)

   

   

  by Grace Anderson on Feb 21, 2009 at 04:22AM

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  Very true insight into indian culture and smart use of: the suitable beoming suitable because of his sheer unsuitablilty.

   

   

  by Arusa Sachedina on Dec 15, 2008 at 01:47AM

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