What drew me to this book was the concept of two women of color – sisters from the same cultural background, who went to the same schools, and lived in the same neighborhood – who experience life so differently because of the shade of their skin. Burkowicz shows how much these women’s personalities, thought processes, and decisions are a response to society’s repeated reaction to their appearance. What impacted me most was how deeply Serena’s decisions were motivated by a self-hatred that had been nurtured since birth by family and community alike, owing simply to her skin tone. The book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions. The characters are well-developed, and I loved how Burkowicz switched between Gia and Serena’s perspectives and played with time by hinting at major events, then coming back later to explain them in more detail. This is a beautiful story wrapped in concepts that urgently need to be explored.

My interest was piqued by the premise of this book – two sisters with about a year’s difference in age, brought up in the same cultural and social background, both described as beautiful but with one difference: the colour of their skin. Part of an Indian family living in Canada, Gia is white and Serene is brown. From the outset Serene was considered less because of her skin colour even by her mother, but certainly by the extended Indian community. So Serene grows up acutely aware of this difference and of the fact that Gia does not always support her sister when she is exposed to racism. It is the ideal set-up for a scientific experiment, is it nature or nuture?

I come from a large family and my nearest sibling is two years older than me. Although very close I was very aware of the huge differences in our characters and that is why I found this book so compelling. There was plenty to love about both girls and equally plenty to be disappointed with in both. I longed for Serene to stop feeling sorry for herself and to realise how much she had to offer: similarly I ached for Gia to understand how her sister felt and to try and strengthen their relationship. Just talk and try to understand, went through my mind a hundred times.

Beautifully written, especially lyrical when talking about the glories of Indian cuisine. My favourite parts – those describing Gia’s fascination with the sari fabrics, the colour and exuberance and her designs and the excitement that is Indian culture. A truly exotic feast in more ways than one.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

A HARD 3.5...great story...need more

GOODREADS REVIEW
MAY HAVE GENERAL SPOILERS ABOUT THE SUBPLOTS!!!!

I read The Desirable Sister (courtesy of an ARC) about three or four weeks ago on a lazy Saturday, but held out on writing a review until now. There were things about both sisters (in each generation) that I adored and hated. I don't know how many times I screamed in my head: JUST TELL HER WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, MOM; TELL YOUR DAUGHTERS ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD(S) AND HOW IT AFFECTED YOU!! For any of the Indian women representing different generations in this novel, my wish was for them to avoid turning into the things and people that they found unpleasing, insulting, and unsatisfactory during their upbringings. But it's hard go against (and deconstruct) parents' hopes and wishes, (mis)guided rules and instruction ingrained from the terrible twos through the impressionable teen wonder years.

WARNING!!! This is not the book to read on an empty stomach. I guess they forgot to send me the bonus cookbook (great idea) that instructs us how to make authentic Indian dishes and treats, which were so deliciously described (and eaten) throughout the novel. I can wait though. The author really did build a world that readers could sink their teeth in. I must find me a local spot that serves Indian food...one that delivers, of course.

On a more serious note... There is an inequitable and inevitable price many adult children pay for how we are raised by our parents (or guardians); how well our evolving physical and mental traits and individual interests are nurtured or ignored; how we are protected or abandoned by the community of people and places that our childhood selves witness in daily interactions and communications that cement the ethnic cultures surrounding us; and the moments in time that we are affirmed by said culture, fully or partially, as we cautiously make our way outside our cultural norms, known communities, and parental guidance onto the stage of life, or adulting, as coined by the millennial generation.

I was satisfied with The Desirable Sister as a standalone novel; however, I would bet a plate of lightly crunchy hot samosas that many pages were left out with more of the familial backstories and conflicts; enough to continue the story lines of each generation in a series. I would love to read the prequel, exploring the lives of the grandmothers (or the first set of sisters that we meet). In addition, I couldn't help but notice the advanced timelines between the chapters, which could easily be filled in with adventures and mishaps of the second generation of sisters. And of course, readers want to know how the family fared in life, after such a tragic loss.

This book held a few first for me: first time reading this author (and I hope to read more); first time reading a book highlighting Indian family life and culture; and, first time reading a book highlighting the deliberate ugliness and subtle nuisances of (discrimination by) colorism within the families of women of color beyond the lens of my black American experience.

For those who read the book, in the first and second generation of siblings, which sister would you label the "desirable" one?

#ARC #AdvancedReadingCopy #literaryfiction #RosePublishing #familydisfunction #inlaws #immigrants #womenofcolor #colorism #comingofage #arrangedmarriages #Indiancusisine #spicesx10 #siblingrivalry #TheDesirableSister #NetGalley #02Nov2019

This book has a lot to say about racism and coloring and also about rivalry between siblings. The two sisters, Gia and Serena are close but look totally different. Serena is dark skinned while Gia is very light. They live in Canada but they are Indian. Serena never feels she measured up and throughout her life she lacks self esteem and doesn't find happiness until she married and unfortunately that is short lived. Gia is pretty unhappy in most of her life too until she also gets married. I didn't like the ending of the story and I felt there were a lot of situations that were not necessarily needed,however I feel this is a good. book and I highly recommend it.

I really liked the overall story in this book. It is a great concept. Two sisters, raised basically the same way, but how their lives are so different. Is it because of their skin color differences? Is it because of being looked at differently throughout their lives? Did that cause insecurities? This is a great topic to really explore.
I generally liked the book. I did feel that at times there was too much explanation of details, such as locations where they were-decor and landscape. There were times I felt sorry for one sister, then later, the other sister. It's sad that it seems they were at odds most of their lives, unable to ever truly understand each other.
Serena seemed so lonely for much of the book, then she found herself and was so self confident at one point in her life and after her marriage, she seemed to crumble. I wish she could have found some of that self confidence again to stand up to her husband sooner.
Gia, while seemingly the "desirable sister" based on her skin tone, seemed lost most of her life. Wandering and searching for something...never truly happy, until she met Jeremy. Life changes quickly and forever for Gia and Jeremy. Sadness but happiness fills their lives. Gia begins to understand what the different color of skin can look like to the outside world.

Since I did not give this book 5 stars, I am only posting the review here.

This book, unfortunately, did not tickle my fancy. I may give it another try in the future, but as for right now, I just couldn't get into it. If a book does not grab my attention from the 1st page it's highly likely that I won't be able to make it through the book.

Color's often played a bigger in access to social privileges all over the world. It's even birthed the terms "racist" and "racism." However, in reading this book, what's guaranteed is a tale of love, family, prejudice, and most of all a struggle to build self-esteem in young children. Gia and Serena's relationship is at the center of this, and what appealed to me most was how the author used culture to express this self-image theme in a family that's been in more than one continent struggling to belong. This preference of fair skin over dark skin is seen from their mother's generation and into their's with the difference being, in their generation-technology and laws have created more avenues for young people to speak up and challenge these matters.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. I love this book, it'd be great having it in my library for my family.

REVIEW
This book is one that will push readers to rethink their perceptions of beauty, as sisters Gia and Serena see their lives unfold in vastly different ways because of the prejudice that colors their lives because Gia's fair skin allows her to "pass" as white while Serena's darker skin places her as an outsider. It's an exposition of the toxicity of colorism and the struggles of immigrants. Burkowicz's beautiful writing brings life to these characters as they navigate the jealousy that comes with societal affirmation and ostracism along with the bonds of sisterly love.

PRAISE
“Presented like a kaleidoscopic tapestry, we watch with fascination as Gia and Serena come of age and emerge from the grip of race and colour to become independent young women. Taslim Burkowicz is a masterful storyteller of intimate details that are surprising and sometimes shocking.”

-Simon Choa-Johnston, author of The House of Wives

AUTHOR
Taslim Burkowicz's work is inspired both by her Indo-Canadian heritage, as well as her global travels and experiences. Her first novel, Chocolate Cherry Chai, was listed on CBC Books' 2017 Fall Preview list. She has a bachelor's degree in political science and education from Simon Fraser University. Taslim resides with her husband and three boys in Surrey, B.C., where she focuses on writing, running and dancing.