March 11, 2024
This sinuous debut memoir-in-essays from Sharma, who is of Indian descent, utilizes her romance with Quincy Scott Jones, a Black poet, as a jumping-off point for wide-ranging meditations on American and Indian culture, racism in the U.S., and Afro-Asian solidarity. Her essays circle around dueling personal and historical plotlines; for example, she unpacks the racial politics of hair in the U.S. (surfacing rarely discussed facts, such as that the import of Asian hair for wig-making was banned in the U.S. until 1966) in an entry grappling with her parents’ complaints about Jones’s dreadlocks during their 2011 wedding preparations. In another piece, Sharma’s father’s tone-deaf insistence that the couple hold a wedding-related event at Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J., is foregrounded against Barack Obama’s release that same year of his birth certificate in response to Trump’s racist conspiracy theories. (Sharma is unsparing of her family in these sections—some of their remarks are cringingly racist.) As Sharma’s narrative roves, she forms unexpected pop cultural associations, sometimes wringing humor from heavy subjects. (Reflecting on the possessed house in the movie Evil Dead, she writes: “Living as a minority in America is living in a house laughing at you and living as a model minority is joining in that laughter.”) The result is a powerfully forthright portrait of an interracial relationship that doubles as an insightful investigation into the history of racism in America.
September 13, 2024
When humorist and essayist Sharma (cofounder, Not Your Biwi Improv), who is of Indian descent, and Quincy Scott Jones, a Black poet, meet, their instant attraction turns long-term. This collection of essays, some previously published, spans deeply personal topics, including the author's mental health struggles and her relationship with the man who becomes her husband. As a Southeast Asian woman with parents who aren't thrilled that she is dating a Black man, Sharma navigates a complex web of cultural and familial expectations. Later essays delve into broader themes, such as how depictions of BIPOC individuals often focus on their proximity to whiteness. The exploration of allyship is a recurring theme. Despite the heavy topics, there is no shortage of humor, making this engaging and relatable for listeners. Sharma's narration is strongest when she is telling a story about her family and Quincy. Her sense of timing in funny moments and her pleasant voice enhance the overall performance, making for an enjoyable listen. VERDICT Despite some unevenness in the quality of the essays, the narration is good, and this collection addresses important issues with fresh insights. Recommended for listeners seeking a blend of humor and thoughtful commentary on race, culture, and relationships.--Christa Van Herreweghe
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