Day 10 without chocolate #Lent




I had to read this book for my 'Contemporary Women's Writing' module at uni this week, and thought I could review it!
Although it is written relatively recently (1996) it is set in a working-class, white dominated village of Tollington in the 70's. The general overview is a little girl, Meena, who is part of the only Indian family in the village as because of this her family 'stick out'. In order to combat any bullying, she uses story-telling, lying and fighting which constantly gets her in trouble with her disappointed parents who expect that have a perfect, feminine Indian girl to grow up with a passion for Indian culture. Meena, however, just wants to fit in like the other girls. The book follows her friendship with Anita Rutter, an older, white girl from her street, and how Meena grows with her desire for popularity and to be like Anita. It is only when the village start turning against the 'darkies' does Meena realise what a bad influence Anita is on her and how little their friendship means to Anita. This is further emphasised when Meena breaks her leg and ends up in hospital for weeks and soon forgets Anita's existence. The books ends with her family moving away and the friendship between the two girls coming to a natural end.


I think what is great about this book is that Syal brings such humour and light-hearted reality to the book that makes it relatable to any teenage girl with the worries of puberty, boys and friendships as well as those who have already been through it. She admires everything about Anita and will do anything to be her friend and be like her. The references to hanging around in their den with copies of Jackie magazine and fashion, swapping stories and gossip are something that are a part of every girl's teen-hood and you can't help but feel sorry for Meena trying so hard to be a part of it like everyone else.


Nevertheless, underneath the surface is the overlying social critique of how the Indian family are treated in a white community. The white working-class characters lay emphasis on the Britishness of their community and only tend to compliment Meena's family by talking of 'how english' they are ('as if it is a buggering compliment' is Mrs K's response). Yet as the family show, they are no trouble to the street, in fact they are always polite and friendly and helpful neighbours yet the colour of their skin and the culture characteristics that come with this will always stop them from being properly accepted.

One of my top favourite moments in the book is during Meena's time in hospital and she meets Robert. It is a very My-Sister's-Keeper-esque moment with Kate and Taylor and it possibly one of the most touching moments in the book. Earlier during her 'den' days with Anita, Meena wrote a letter to Jackie magazine asking whether she would ever get a boy to like her because she is 'brown', of which their reply was to smile and be herself, Michael Jackson seemed to be doing well with his colour (Oh the irony!). In hospital, however, she meets Robert - a boy in an isolation room on the ward and they get to talking and soon develop a real affection for eachother. I think the sheer significance of this story line is showing that even she, a pre-teen, indian girl who thought she had no hope, can find love. She as in her nightie with no lipgloss on and he STILL talked to her! Love is not, and never will be, restricted to one type, age or race of people and I liked that Meena got to realise this by the end of the novel.


I think the ending was abit flat, however, it is closely tied in with the beginning as it closes off Meena's relationship with Anita, but I think it possibly leaves the reader feeling abit anti-climaxed. The fact that Meena's family move away and leave behind Anita and the street simply shows that they have given and moved away to a more Indian dominated community where they would be accepted rather than standing up for themselves amongst the white community. 
But I think it serves the purpose of concluding Anita's friendship to Meena and how she moves along into her new stage of life, a new stage of acceptance and community which should hopefully suit her better.

I definitely enjoyed reading the novel and would recommend it to others as it confront a socio-political issue of race in the 70's but it does so in an appealing, comical way through the eyes of a pre-teen girl that is 100% relatable and enjoyable!