A COURAGEOUS MEMOIR
AN HONEST BOOK THAT’S PART PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND PART GUIDE, BURNING MY ROTI… IS A MUST READ FOR QUEER SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE
Every year during Pride month (June) across the world, there is a lot of attention towards LGBTQ+ literature, culture, and art with rainbow motifs. This visibility in mainstream media is good, but diversity and inclusivity should be an allyear-round celebration, not just a one-month thing. Dhaliwal’s book does not just open your eyes on the sexual and cultural identity of queer women, but also to diversity. It questions the traditional ideas of beauty and femininity. Her writing is riveting and her style is simple. After reading through the first fifty pages, the reader is enraptured by this book, which is a part memoir and part guide.
Through personal anecdotes and interesting stories, the chapters fleet from sexual and cultural identity to colourism and mental health problems. It particularly throws light on the unrealistic and stifling beauty standards South Asian women are expected to adhere to. The talented writer (Dhaliwal) honestly talks about her own journey towards self-realization, loving herself, and offering support and safe space to other people who have been through similar experiences in their lives.
Topics that are otherwise stigmatised or a complete no-no and shoved under the carpet, surface with confidence in this book. Dhaliwal, through her writing prowess, manages to break barriers and discuss topics related to sex, sexuality, dating, and mental health with full command and ease. So if you dare to step outside your comfort zone and try something new then this book is perhaps what you should be reading.
THROUGH PERSONAL ANECDOTES AND INTERESTING STORIES, THE CHAPTERS FLEET FROM SEXUAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITY TO COLOURISM AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. IT PARTICULARLY THROWS LIGHT ON THE UNREALISTIC AND STIFLING BEAUTY STANDARDS SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN ARE EXPECTED TO ADHERE TO.