relationship fiction annotation: the unlikely adventures of the shergill sisters
Author: Balli Kaur Jaswal
Title: The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters
Genre: Relationship Fiction
Publication Date: April 30, 2019
Number of Pages: 312 pages
Geographical Setting: Multiple cities across India
Time Period: Contemporary/modern day
Series: N/A
Plot Summary: Following the deathbed wish of their mother, three very different, estranged sisters undertake a pilgrimage to the Golden Temple in Amritzar, India to carry out her final rites. Rajni, the eldest, has just received life-shattering news from her son, making it even less appealing to suddenly return to the country she vowed she'd never set foot in again. Jezmeen, the middle sister, still reeling from losing her television hosting job (and going viral for it), is eager to escape London for the anonymity of India. Shirina, the youngest, faces a heartbreaking decision at the behest of her in-laws, one she must keep secret from her sisters at all costs. After arriving in India, all three find themselves making unexpected discoveries about themselves and each other, uncovering truths about their shared past and finding new ways to move forward.
Subject Headings: Sisters -- Fiction; Panjabis (South Asian people) -- England -- Fiction; Mothers -- Death -- Fiction; Women travelers -- Fiction; Pilgrims and pilgrimages -- India -- Fiction
Appeal:
· Tone: Moving, inspiring, funny
· Characterization: All three sisters are complex, flawed, strong female characters, yet distinct in their own ways. Rajni is strong-willed, disciplined, and concerned with propriety. Jezmeen is spirited, sarcastic, and occasionally immature. Shirina is soft-spoken, empathetic, and introspective. Despite how different each of the sisters are, their dynamic as a unit feels genuine and authentic.
· Storyline: Structured according to the 10-day pilgrimage and alternating the perspectives of each sister and interspersed with flashbacks, this own voices book is considered primarily character-driven.
· Language/style: Compelling and engaging, this novel boasts witty, banter-filled dialogue and thoughtful prose.
· Setting: Modern day India, primarily the cities of Delhi and Amritsar. Flashbacks occur in London, England & Melbourne, Australia.
· Pacing: Medium-paced
· Themes: Coping with death, family gatherings, immigrant experiences, road-tripping
**Content Warnings: Death of a parent, emotional/domestic abuse, abortion, miscarriages, alcoholism, animal abuse/death**
3 terms that best describe this book: Moving, funny, heartfelt
Relevant nonfiction:
· Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction – Eleanor Nesbitt
For those unfamiliar with the many sacred places, traditions, and figures that are referenced and/or explored by the Shergill sisters on their pilgrimage, this short, accessible book will "introduce newcomers to the meaning of Sikhism, its teachings, practices, rituals and festivals."
· The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker's Guide to Making Travel Sacred – Phil Cousineau
Phil Cousineau, award-winning writer and filmmaker, travel leader, and inspirational speaker on "myth in the modern world," covers his lifetime of pilgrimage in this "little golden guide." For those inspired by the Shergill's pilgrimage to achieve bonding, enlightenment, and cleansing through sacred travel, Cousineau's own journeys around the world to reach the "depth of the human soul" are a must-read.
· About My Sisters – Debra Ginsberg
If the most compelling part of Unlikely Adventures was the interpersonal relationships between the sisters, give About My Sisters a try. Ginsberg explores the connections she has with her three sisters, specifically, as well as the larger family dynamics at play that impact them. Loving and candid, this celebration of a year in the life of this close-knit family guarantees a heartwarming read.
Relevant fiction:
· Destination Wedding – Diksha Basu
Like the Shergill sisters, Tina Das finds herself traveling back to India from her home in the Western world (America for Tina, Britain for the sisters) amidst a series of emotional crises revolving around her job, love life, and family. Unlike the sisters, though, she's traveling to Delhi for a lavish wedding, not to complete a pilgrimage in honor of her deceased mother. Characters in both novels experience cultural and identity issues as they reckon with and reflect on their Indian heritage.
· Afterlife – Julia Alvarez
Another own voices novel that focuses on immigrant characters coping with grief, this book follows Antonia, a college professor and writer struggling in the wake of her husband's death. Sisterhood is a prominent element of this story as well; the dynamic between Antonia and her sisters is "brim[ming] with a funny but genuine Latina exuberance flowing from deep-rooted love" that readers may find comparable to the Shergills.
· Honor – Thrity Umrigar
Character-driven and moving like Unlikely Adventures, this novel follows another East Indian character compelled to travel back to India who, once there, must contend with her immigrant experience, cultural conflicts, and her own past. Smita is an Indian American journalist reluctant to return to the country she had fled so many years ago, but as she follows the case of Meena, a village woman attacked for following her heart, she must make peace with her own life's tragedies while uncovering the circumstances of Meena's. Readers intrigued by Jaswal's brief overview of the religious and traditional divisions found in India's rural regions will enjoy Honor's in-depth exploration of these issues.
Thanks for sharing this title, Olivia! I hardly ever read novels set in India, and this one sounds like it could really resonate with a lot of patrons. I appreciate you including those content warnings so people have a heads up -- did you find that those tough themes made this a hard read at all?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the content warnings make the book sound much darker than it really is! I was kind of worried about that when I started typing them all out, but the only themes I could see that might make this book a challenge for readers looking for something lighter would be familial abuse and abortion, and that is because the book's plot hinges on these elements in the third act. Although, I do think it is supposed to give readers something to really sit with, so hopefully it wouldn't actually deter anyone seeking a relationship fiction read, since they generally also have moments of great emotional depth. Generally, though, this novel is tonally light and humorous, so it balances out the darker moments quite well.
DeleteHi Olivia,
ReplyDeleteRelationship fiction isn’t a genre I’ve ever investigated, but this sounds like a genuinely interesting story. I’ll echo Megan in saying this sounds like a work that would resonate with patrons, especially in my own community. I live in Warsaw, a relatively small town in north-eastern Indiana that is nevertheless the orthopedic manufacturing capital of the world and home to a large Indian-American community that came here for that industry. At the public library we try to be cognizant of this cultural diversity and make an effort to maintain relevant work in our collection. I feel really lucky to have been exposed to Indian culture through friends and co-workers who introduced me to their incredibly rich traditions, and I’m always happy to see any titles that serve to further this kind of awareness. Did you learn anything about Indian culture from this novel that you found rewarding?
That's so fascinating to hear about your community! It's always so lovely to hear about small towns becoming havens for diverse cultures and how libraries work to facilitate the growth of all their patrons. And I definitely learned a lot from this book, mostly about Sikhism, which I knew almost nothing about (most of my Indian friends practice Hinduism). Given my limited knowledge, this book taught me so much. I learned not only about many significant buildings, traditions, and rituals through the girls' pilgrimage to honor their mother, but it was also an enlightening look at the specific culture clash that comes from being perceived as Indian in England and English in India, despite both cultures being intrinsic to one's being. The author did an excellent job at conveying all of this knowledge, experience, and information through her characters, so it never even really felt like learning. Plus, it all really made me want to read Kaur Jaswal's first book even more than I already did!
DeleteOlivia, this is a fantastic annotation. I have never heard of this book and being from the culture, not the Sikh religion however, I may find this relatable in some way? I love how the focus is on three female sisters- that makes it more complex and makes the character development enjoyable for readers.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that, in spite of the specific cultural elements that are intrinsic to the book, most readers would be able to find something in the novel relatable! I'm a twenty-something white person from the Midwest, so pretty far removed from the culture, but the dynamic between the sisters struck a chord in me. I'm the oldest of three sisters (four total siblings) myself, so a lot of Rajni's experiences and internal turmoil pertaining to being the eldest really hit for me. I definitely enjoyed the book, but the fact that it was told through the rotating perspectives of the sisters was a huge factor in that for me.
DeleteI don't think that I've ever actively read relationship fiction (well not while knowing it was relationship fiction). This seems like it was a really interesting read.
ReplyDeleteHi Olivia!
ReplyDeleteI’ve never been too interested in relationship fiction, I think because I often associate them with depressing themes or heavy topics. When I read I don’t want to be trapped in the “real world”. That being said, I do have another of Jaswal’s books on my TBR. I don’t think I realized that it might be considered relationship fiction. I clearly need to give the genre a try and not count it out before I’ve really given it a shot.
Excellent annotation! Like your classmates have all said - this sounds wonderful. Your summary is great, the appeals are detailed, the trigger warnings appreciated, and the readalikes are fantastic! Full points!
ReplyDelete