➵ this book got me out of a reading slump with how it depicted a young rebellion against a xenophobic rhetoric and how activism meets adventure in Mar➵ this book got me out of a reading slump with how it depicted a young rebellion against a xenophobic rhetoric and how activism meets adventure in Mariposa where immigrants are being other-ed by aggressive narratives fuelled by a saddening analogy of 'outsiders' being moths and those with longer roots being butterflies with former sucking all the nectar out of this fictional island country that holds a timely resemblance to not just a single nation but to a large part of the world.
What do you do when a book has almost every cliche or trope you despise in literature? You try to coherently make a point out of the immense disappoin
What do you do when a book has almost every cliche or trope you despise in literature? You try to coherently make a point out of the immense disappointment.
First of all, yes, retellings are fun, but that doesn’t mean the male love interest has to be this perfect caricature who probably stepped out of those original fairy tales that remain problematic despite the so-called perfect characterisation. I know male protagonists written by female authors often lack realism but there’s only so much disbelief I can suspend for a romance I hope to enjoy. I mean, are we not tired of typical fictional men who love playing video games, are great at seducing the girl, have private jets, are workaholics and basically billionaires? I would be lying if I say they don’t sound charming but sadly, saturation triumphs here. Give me a mafia romance instead; at least his personality would then have some texture through everything that’s outright bad or morally grey.
Secondly, I’m forced to wonder: are we calling every common trope a retelling nowadays to sound fancy? Sure, Cinderella has that swoony romance that transcends class and social hierarchies, but that doesn’t mean every romance treading the trope of ‘a plain, average girl meets a famous, rich guy’ can be called a retelling of that fairytale. Lastly, ambitious heroines with narrations that focus on their career are a win for me but when the romantic arc outweighs those aspirations, my inner feminist gets a little sad. Not that women can’t prioritise love over their passionate dreams, or seek both at the same time, but when you repeatedly talk about setting up a business and are nervous about taking a leap, I wish for you to think a minute longer before choosing ‘true love’. Especially when you have been judgemental towards female side characters who are housewives.
Having said all of this, I did appreciate the theme of family and culture making a subtle impact on one’s priorities, the goodness of caring for the elders, and those comments from relatives that get too deep into your head. Of course, Claire, the heroine, managed to win points from me for her desire to pursue her passion for baking because yes to female entrepreneurs! But unfortunately, all the major tropes were too cheesy for me and when it’s all topped with instalove, I end up asking: how to survive reading this modern-day fairytale.
Refreshing. Entertaining. Humorous. More of a coming-of-age than a romance, this contemporary fiction manages to hold one’s attention through emotionaRefreshing. Entertaining. Humorous. More of a coming-of-age than a romance, this contemporary fiction manages to hold one’s attention through emotional facets amidst the fun of a desi wedding and the distinctive, strong personalities of desi characters.
Sway With Me is a coming-of-age YA romantic comedy featuring Muslim Pakistani-American characters.
Having spent all his life like an old soul submerged in books and distanced from a world that fellow teenagers easily fit into, Arsalan is worried about the loneliness that will soon cloud over him after his aged great-grandfather will inevitably leave. When his abusive alcoholic father is expected to enter his peaceful abode, the traditional and shy Arsalan opens up to the idea of an arranged marriage. Now all he wants is a matchmaker.
Luckily, Beenish’s stepmother is one and hopefully Beenish has thereby caught on a few ways to set up a match. So a deal is made: she will help him find a future life partner and he, in turn, will perform a dance with her. But Arsalan isn’t much of a dancer and Beenish isn’t truthful about the risk of performing at her older sister’s wedding.
With a plot that is both refreshing and entertaining, the characters are allowed a great canvas to paint themselves against. With Arsalan’s studious personality often projecting him as an old-fashioned and quiet guy who turns to facts and rationality at every turn, he might take some time to sneak into the readers’ hearts but once he does, the kind boy who has been through a lot will make a place for himself.
Beenish as a love interest stands out with her intensely opinionated and fiercely rebellious personality that complements Arsalan through a subtle grumpy x sunshine romance trope. While the hilarious and heartwarming banter keeps the reader excitedly engaged, the romantic strings aren’t played with great intensity—not necessarily a critique if one prefers to gravitate more towards the endearing and touching individual story lines than the romance.
It’s the simple yet effective writing that establishes every side character with as much essence as Arsalan and Beenish. And it’s the same writing that turns this prose into an honest, philosophical, and religiously responsive narration. Unfiltered, unconventional thoughts are well presented through a diverging and diverse lens as tradition and culture are contemplated. The themes of family and friendship are smoothly integrated in a story where community and individualism is both appreciated and questioned.
Despite some aspects remaining under-explored, from the dance to certain familial relationships, Sway With Me does make one ponder over who matters the most to us, the timelessness of elderly love, being a misfit in a generation that runs on references, and the essence of finding someone in life who despite being different feels like home.
↣ an early digital copy received via participation in a blog tour.
