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Peacocks of Instagram: Stories
Peacocks of Instagram is a fresh and intimate debut collection of short stories suffused with the dilemmas, heartbreaks, and joys of diasporic Indians. In these brilliant and witty stories, Deepa Rajagopalan centres a cast of Indian women who are flawed, enterprising, and filled with desire. In the award-winning title story, an underappreciated server in a coffee shop attracts tens of thousands of followers on social media with her peacock accessories. A hotel housekeeper up against a world of gender and class inequality quietly gets revenge on her chauvinist boss. A young woman navigates the landscape of loneliness after abruptly leaving her home in India by learning to drive over it. An eight-year-old finds her entire life uprooted when her mother needs a new kidney. A fiercely independent engineer does not decamp to the sidelines of an affair but takes up space, living her life as variously as possible. Peacocks of Instagram deftly questions what it means to be safe, to survive, and to call a place home. W
256 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2024
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594 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 7, 2024
In a Nutshell: Considering how much I dislike Instagram, I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this collection of short stories, each dwelling on a diasporic Indian woman striving to make the best of her situation. The characters and the poignant writing make this collection impactful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’ve never been a fan of Instagram for various reasons. If I even see the word “influencer” in a blurb, I don’t go for that novel. Then why this story collection? Many reasons:
1. Indian-origin writer.
2. Indie writer and indie publisher.
3. A women-centric collection.
4. An intriguing title – does “peacocks” stand for the fake showiness of the app? Colour me curious!
5. The wacky mirror reflection in the cover art, taking peacock feather eyes and giving them a human twist.
6. This phrase in the blurb: “a cast of Indian women who are flawed, enterprising, and filled with desire”, none of which are attributes most Indian writers assign to Indian women. (No, we are supposed to be perfect, saintly, and satisfied homemakers. LMAO!)
So how much of the potential was met?
Quite a lot!
This set of fourteen stories dwells on a few Indian immigrant women who are facing the upheavals of life in their own unique fashion. Some rebel, some succumb, some hope… but all give their best to make the best they can of their circumstances. There is no author’s note introducing the collection to us, but the blurb makes it clear that these tales are about “diasporic Indians that deftly question what it means to be safe, to survive, and to call a place home.” Perfectly stated.
The women in each story span multiple ages, from child to senior citizen. While there are many male characters also in the story, the key driver of the plot and/or the narrator is always a woman. This ensures that the stories are high on introspection, self-awareness, and emotions. Many of the tales have a poignant undertone, as the characters reflect on what was lost and what could have been. But the stories also have an equally powerful ray of hope.
The characters are all of Indian origin and settled in Canada. This had initially made me a bit apprehensive because I thought the content might lean heavily on immigrant narratives, struggling to make the best in a new location. On the contrary, most of the stories, even when they are about immigrants, aren’t focussed on the “adjustment” and the discrimination. The stress of the writing is majorly on the characters and their personal lives in respect to their families and their mental well-being. At the same time, there are intelligent remarks over how the “privilege” of the women differs abroad and in their homeland.
Many of the characters jump across the fictional fence of their plot and appear in the other stories. You don’t need to keep the characters in mind for this, because the author offers ample clues about the identity of those making special appearances.
A few of the stories are set in India. The writing in these is genuine and lyrical, though you might escape some of the subtler nuances if you aren’t familiar with the location. The depiction of Kerala and its people is especially realistic. I enjoyed the balanced portrayal of my country, with its strengths and its flaws underlined fairly. However, I was left with uncertainty about one factor. The India that is portrayed in a couple of the stories feels very historical. This is later confirmed when we meet the same characters many years later in another story. However, as the timestamp is never specified, only a keen reader would figure out which stories are based in the past. My worry with this is that many Western readers would take these depictions at face value and assume that this portrayal applies to the whole of contemporary India. (Tip: Nothing, absolutely nothing, applies to the “whole of India.” We are a microcosm of cultures and beliefs and religions and cuisines and languages. So please, stop it with the generalisations!)
Short fiction readers are usually very particular about stories having the right ending. Most of these stories conclude at the right point, though it may not be a sealed ending or a happy one. But a couple of stories in between, all of them coincidentally focussed on one specific character, were a bit too slice-of-life for my liking and very abrupt in their endings. I don’t mind the slice-of-life style, but it is not my favourite, so this could be a ME problem. In most of the stories though, this debut writer controls the plots pretty firmly.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the fourteen stories, eight stories reached or crossed the four-star mark, which is a great performance. The rest of the stories mostly earned midway ratings, except for the above-mentioned overly meandering ones. These were my favourites:
All in all, this is a beautiful collection with introspective writing and intriguing characters. Keeping in mind that this is a debut work, I am quite impressed and will certainly look forward to more works by this talented young writer.
Definitely recommended. This collection might work better for those who like to explore the slice-of-life writing as many of these stories don’t follow the traditional start-middle-end format.
3.7 stars, based on the average of my ratings for the individual stories.
My thanks to House of Anansi Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Peacocks of Instagram”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’ve never been a fan of Instagram for various reasons. If I even see the word “influencer” in a blurb, I don’t go for that novel. Then why this story collection? Many reasons:
1. Indian-origin writer.
2. Indie writer and indie publisher.
3. A women-centric collection.
4. An intriguing title – does “peacocks” stand for the fake showiness of the app? Colour me curious!
5. The wacky mirror reflection in the cover art, taking peacock feather eyes and giving them a human twist.
6. This phrase in the blurb: “a cast of Indian women who are flawed, enterprising, and filled with desire”, none of which are attributes most Indian writers assign to Indian women. (No, we are supposed to be perfect, saintly, and satisfied homemakers. LMAO!)
So how much of the potential was met?
Quite a lot!
This set of fourteen stories dwells on a few Indian immigrant women who are facing the upheavals of life in their own unique fashion. Some rebel, some succumb, some hope… but all give their best to make the best they can of their circumstances. There is no author’s note introducing the collection to us, but the blurb makes it clear that these tales are about “diasporic Indians that deftly question what it means to be safe, to survive, and to call a place home.” Perfectly stated.
The women in each story span multiple ages, from child to senior citizen. While there are many male characters also in the story, the key driver of the plot and/or the narrator is always a woman. This ensures that the stories are high on introspection, self-awareness, and emotions. Many of the tales have a poignant undertone, as the characters reflect on what was lost and what could have been. But the stories also have an equally powerful ray of hope.
The characters are all of Indian origin and settled in Canada. This had initially made me a bit apprehensive because I thought the content might lean heavily on immigrant narratives, struggling to make the best in a new location. On the contrary, most of the stories, even when they are about immigrants, aren’t focussed on the “adjustment” and the discrimination. The stress of the writing is majorly on the characters and their personal lives in respect to their families and their mental well-being. At the same time, there are intelligent remarks over how the “privilege” of the women differs abroad and in their homeland.
Many of the characters jump across the fictional fence of their plot and appear in the other stories. You don’t need to keep the characters in mind for this, because the author offers ample clues about the identity of those making special appearances.
A few of the stories are set in India. The writing in these is genuine and lyrical, though you might escape some of the subtler nuances if you aren’t familiar with the location. The depiction of Kerala and its people is especially realistic. I enjoyed the balanced portrayal of my country, with its strengths and its flaws underlined fairly. However, I was left with uncertainty about one factor. The India that is portrayed in a couple of the stories feels very historical. This is later confirmed when we meet the same characters many years later in another story. However, as the timestamp is never specified, only a keen reader would figure out which stories are based in the past. My worry with this is that many Western readers would take these depictions at face value and assume that this portrayal applies to the whole of contemporary India. (Tip: Nothing, absolutely nothing, applies to the “whole of India.” We are a microcosm of cultures and beliefs and religions and cuisines and languages. So please, stop it with the generalisations!)
Short fiction readers are usually very particular about stories having the right ending. Most of these stories conclude at the right point, though it may not be a sealed ending or a happy one. But a couple of stories in between, all of them coincidentally focussed on one specific character, were a bit too slice-of-life for my liking and very abrupt in their endings. I don’t mind the slice-of-life style, but it is not my favourite, so this could be a ME problem. In most of the stories though, this debut writer controls the plots pretty firmly.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the fourteen stories, eight stories reached or crossed the four-star mark, which is a great performance. The rest of the stories mostly earned midway ratings, except for the above-mentioned overly meandering ones. These were my favourites:
🦚 Peacocks of Instagram - Definitely not as I had expected it to be. A story filled with myriad human emotions. Didn't expect the political angle, but it was pertinent to the story in an unexpected way, so no complaints. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🦚 Cake - The title sounds sweet, but the story isn't. What would you do to get the job of your dreams? What compromise crosses the line? An interesting but bittersweet story. Comes with triggers. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🦚 Whatever Happened, Happened For the Good - Full of the flavours of historical Kerala and the bittersweet emotions one feels in the face of a life-changing diagnosis. The narration being from a child's perspective enhances the sadness and confusion. Would have been a five star had it emphasized on the modernity of Thiruvananthapuram as much as its outdatedness.- ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🦚 Live-in - Enjoyed the clash of the traditional and the modern in this one. It was entertaining without being stereotypical. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🦚 Rahel - Would have been a typical story had it not been for the atypical eponymous lead and the ending. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🦚 Morningside - Loved the realism in this story about a marriage that is breaking up. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🦚 Singing For the Gods - A stunning story of how faith doesn't ensure open-mindedness and how not every religious person must be presumed to have the right opinion. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🦚 Bestsellers - I'll use a line from the story itself to tell you what it's about: "Take the FUCK YOUs of your life and turn them into something beautiful." Don't be turned off by the cuss word because there's an amazing story behind it. Loved this tale of resilience and hope. The perfect way to end the collection. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All in all, this is a beautiful collection with introspective writing and intriguing characters. Keeping in mind that this is a debut work, I am quite impressed and will certainly look forward to more works by this talented young writer.
Definitely recommended. This collection might work better for those who like to explore the slice-of-life writing as many of these stories don’t follow the traditional start-middle-end format.
3.7 stars, based on the average of my ratings for the individual stories.
My thanks to House of Anansi Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Peacocks of Instagram”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
May 18, 2024
I liked this book and feel that this debut author has potential. This short story collection Peacocks of Instagram follows several diasporic Indian women as they navigate family, romantic relationships, and struggles in the workplace. Deepa Rajagopalan does a nice job of portraying these women as three-dimensional characters who have unique personalities and agency even as they navigate sexism in their day-to-day lives. My favorite stories were “Driving Lessons” and “Rahel,” where I felt that Rajagopalan captured a specific and poignant emotional landscape within the context of growing up and navigating leaving home.
It’s really hard to enthrall me with a short story so several of these stories communicated an important political message or an interesting idea about relationships, though didn’t leave an emotional impact. I think it’s rare for me to feel immersed in a short story so that’s perhaps more on the form than the writer’s ability. I was moved by a few of the stories, especially the couple I listed above, so I would be interested in reading this author’s debut novel when it comes out.
It’s really hard to enthrall me with a short story so several of these stories communicated an important political message or an interesting idea about relationships, though didn’t leave an emotional impact. I think it’s rare for me to feel immersed in a short story so that’s perhaps more on the form than the writer’s ability. I was moved by a few of the stories, especially the couple I listed above, so I would be interested in reading this author’s debut novel when it comes out.
November 20, 2024
Spanning multiple decades and set in different parts of Canada, the U.S. and India, these interconnected stories centre on the experiences of Indian girls and women. The stories are linked by the protagonists of some of the stories playing minor roles in others, so each can stand alone.
Overall, I thought this collection was solid. The standout stories for me were the ones that involved women outwitting smug men. This isn’t the best short story collection I’ve read this year, but I still had a good time with it.
Overall, I thought this collection was solid. The standout stories for me were the ones that involved women outwitting smug men. This isn’t the best short story collection I’ve read this year, but I still had a good time with it.
January 20, 2025
Brilliant AND digestible—my favourite combo! I loved the cameos throughout the stories & the references to Orange County, ofc. Such interesting stuff about different reactions/approaches to diaspora, Americana (because isn’t driving through southern California the most American thing of all?), art, power and privilege.
Rajagopalan draws complete pictures in so few words. It’s crazy. Would recommend! 4.25 stars.
Rajagopalan draws complete pictures in so few words. It’s crazy. Would recommend! 4.25 stars.
September 7, 2025
I was shocked because I had no idea at all about these concerning issues that occurred in India before reading this book. I connected to some stories more than the others, but overall, this was a good read.
My favorite ones were Maths Club, The Many Homes of Kanmani, Whatever Happened Happened for the Good, and Peacocks of Instagram.
My favorite ones were Maths Club, The Many Homes of Kanmani, Whatever Happened Happened for the Good, and Peacocks of Instagram.
May 12, 2024
At times uplifting, at times just downright heart-wrenching, Peacocks of Instagram is a raw look at status, social issues, and what it means to simply survive. Certain moments SHOCKED me. I would have to reread just to make sure I understood what I read. It's a beautiful, beautiful piece of work.
This is a short story collection that follows 14 different people, whose lives are all interconnected in one way or another. It follows them through the decades as they navigate sickness, loss, and gains. Each person has their own challenges they must face or pasts they try to forget. All of the main characters are Indian and have ties to India. In the end of each one, you're left contemplating each circumstance and wondering how it connects with real life.
I was struck by the amount of depth each person possessed despite there being so many different characters and so many different stories. I didn't feel like I was reading the same thing over and over again. Each had a fresh voice that I connected to. It's a book that hasn't left my mind, even after finishing it a couple days ago.
Many of the stories stuck with me, but I found the most compelling to be "A Thing with Many Legs", "Rahel", "Driving Lessons", and "Bow Wow". However, I'd happily read any of the stories again because I'm sure there are lessons or things that I missed.
At times, the stories did slow their pacing as a new setting/character was introduced, but that's to be expected. It really did open my eyes to a new culture and made me get a deeper understanding to some of the issues Indians face.
I want to thank House of Ansai for a gifted copy of this novel!! It was such a delight to read, and I'm beyond grateful to have received it!
This is a short story collection that follows 14 different people, whose lives are all interconnected in one way or another. It follows them through the decades as they navigate sickness, loss, and gains. Each person has their own challenges they must face or pasts they try to forget. All of the main characters are Indian and have ties to India. In the end of each one, you're left contemplating each circumstance and wondering how it connects with real life.
I was struck by the amount of depth each person possessed despite there being so many different characters and so many different stories. I didn't feel like I was reading the same thing over and over again. Each had a fresh voice that I connected to. It's a book that hasn't left my mind, even after finishing it a couple days ago.
Many of the stories stuck with me, but I found the most compelling to be "A Thing with Many Legs", "Rahel", "Driving Lessons", and "Bow Wow". However, I'd happily read any of the stories again because I'm sure there are lessons or things that I missed.
At times, the stories did slow their pacing as a new setting/character was introduced, but that's to be expected. It really did open my eyes to a new culture and made me get a deeper understanding to some of the issues Indians face.
I want to thank House of Ansai for a gifted copy of this novel!! It was such a delight to read, and I'm beyond grateful to have received it!
May 21, 2024
I am honestly not a fan of short stories, but I really enjoyed this one. The author has a real talent of making the reader feel deeply for her characters, often in ways I was not expecting. Each story focuses on a different Indian person of the diaspora (some in India, others in the US, Canada, or other countries) in a variety of situations. Despite her characters being across the globe, the stories are often connected in some capacity. This felt like a really strong debut, and I am excited to see what this author brings in the future!
Thank you to House of Anansi Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to House of Anansi Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 4, 2024
Peacocks of Instagram by debut author Deepa Rajagopalan is a collection of short stories, each about a diasporic Indian woman trying to live their life the best they can. The writing is strong, the characters are unique and emotional and I deeply felt for them. A very engaging and strong debut!
January 3, 2025
3.5 stars! really enjoyed this collection of short stories centring around the lives of indian women in the diaspora. i loved that the stories connected to each other in various ways, it provided a sense of continuity that isn’t always present in short story collections. the characters were really well-written, i wish i could have immersed myself in their lives for longer. definitely would recommend this collection!
May 16, 2024
A truly fresh and inspired collection of stories. Every story evokes emotion and demands reflection. The writing is vivid and takes the reader to myriad settings. As a human of the diaspora, I found Deepa's writing compelling. Highly recommend.
Read
October 4, 2024Deepa Rajagopalan's “Peacocks of Instagram” is a linked short story collection that spans various ages, social classes, and societal expectations, all tied together by the shared experience of being part of the Malayali diaspora. Despite this common thread, Rajagopalan avoids the pitfalls of telling a single, uniform immigrant story.
Rather than single-minded disgust or elation at the customs of the new country, she offers a rich portrayal of nuanced characters with complex emotions. For example, children who miss both the wintry holidays of the United States and the food and loved ones in India, or a woman balancing entrepreneurial success in the United States with the struggle of working for minimum wage, all while grappling with Indian politics haunting her memories of long-ago family tragedy.
While the prose is straightforward and some plots feel conveniently arranged, the stories remain connected, though certain incidents and characters might leave some readers wanting more depth or exploration. Still, the collection is both modern and rooted in tradition, offering a quick yet compelling read.
Rather than single-minded disgust or elation at the customs of the new country, she offers a rich portrayal of nuanced characters with complex emotions. For example, children who miss both the wintry holidays of the United States and the food and loved ones in India, or a woman balancing entrepreneurial success in the United States with the struggle of working for minimum wage, all while grappling with Indian politics haunting her memories of long-ago family tragedy.
While the prose is straightforward and some plots feel conveniently arranged, the stories remain connected, though certain incidents and characters might leave some readers wanting more depth or exploration. Still, the collection is both modern and rooted in tradition, offering a quick yet compelling read.
November 24, 2024
Relatable and profound short stories!
May 20, 2024
|| PEACOCKS OF INSTAGRAM ||
#gifted @houseofanansi
✍🏻
'Bhanu seemed more content thank Pinky, like she knew who she was and didn't need to prove it to anyone. She was also more reserved. She walked around with a little notebook, scribbling in it every now and then. When I found out she was working on a novel, I liked her immediately. "There's a story in me," she said. "I need to get it out." The three of us had nothing in common, but these two women, each a decade older than me, became my first friends in this country, the ones who got to watch me as I learned to become who I was supposed to be.'
•
'I don't remember exactly when things betws started to deteriorate, but it was probably around the time when my health started to improve. Tito was a good sick person's boyfriend. He needed to take care of someone, and as I got well, he started to feel like he wasn't needed anymore. He measured his worth based on how much I needed him, not how much I wanted him. Sometimes, when things between us got much worse, I had to lie in bed and pretend to be sick to get some kindness from him.'
•
PEACOCKS OF INSTAGRAM is a wonderfully fresh debut! I was first grabbed by the gorgeous cover and title but then the books description really caught me.
It follows several diasporic Indian women as they navigate relationships, family, and the workplace. Exploring themes of privilege, sexism, home, social status, safety and survival. I loved how the narrators were females of varied ages, offering much introspection. The writing in this really worked for me, it's vivid, nuanced, emotional and compelling while being completely genuine. And the characters felt fully formed. Being able to write good short fiction is a true art form. Highly reccomend this one! I'm looking forward to more from Rajagopalan!
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
#gifted @houseofanansi
✍🏻
'Bhanu seemed more content thank Pinky, like she knew who she was and didn't need to prove it to anyone. She was also more reserved. She walked around with a little notebook, scribbling in it every now and then. When I found out she was working on a novel, I liked her immediately. "There's a story in me," she said. "I need to get it out." The three of us had nothing in common, but these two women, each a decade older than me, became my first friends in this country, the ones who got to watch me as I learned to become who I was supposed to be.'
•
'I don't remember exactly when things betws started to deteriorate, but it was probably around the time when my health started to improve. Tito was a good sick person's boyfriend. He needed to take care of someone, and as I got well, he started to feel like he wasn't needed anymore. He measured his worth based on how much I needed him, not how much I wanted him. Sometimes, when things between us got much worse, I had to lie in bed and pretend to be sick to get some kindness from him.'
•
PEACOCKS OF INSTAGRAM is a wonderfully fresh debut! I was first grabbed by the gorgeous cover and title but then the books description really caught me.
It follows several diasporic Indian women as they navigate relationships, family, and the workplace. Exploring themes of privilege, sexism, home, social status, safety and survival. I loved how the narrators were females of varied ages, offering much introspection. The writing in this really worked for me, it's vivid, nuanced, emotional and compelling while being completely genuine. And the characters felt fully formed. Being able to write good short fiction is a true art form. Highly reccomend this one! I'm looking forward to more from Rajagopalan!
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
November 28, 2024
3.5 rounded up
I enjoyed this a lot! I thought the stories were a bit too expansive (in scope) for my liking—many erred on the side of telling rather than showing because there were too many years of life/too many events to cover in too few pages. nevertheless it was an excellent read and the care and detail put into the stories was excellent; the interweaving of the characters’ lives from different stories was well done.
I enjoyed this a lot! I thought the stories were a bit too expansive (in scope) for my liking—many erred on the side of telling rather than showing because there were too many years of life/too many events to cover in too few pages. nevertheless it was an excellent read and the care and detail put into the stories was excellent; the interweaving of the characters’ lives from different stories was well done.
December 26, 2025
Going into this, I had no idea what to expect. I’d already forgotten why I had picked it up, or what it was about. So imagine my surprise at how the first story was quietly political. After that, I was dying to hear more about Kala, so imagine my surprise when she pops up sporadically. I love it when short stories are interconnected like that! I loved that we could spend some time with the very rich inner life of these many women. Some of these stories had brutal unexpected endings, and there were some very intense deaths, so definitely don’t read these if you’re looking for hope, but I was left gasping for air at how great most of these stories were.
October 2, 2024
I love short stories so I was really excited to read PEACOCKS OF INSTAGRAM by Deepa Rajagopalan especially since it’s indie CanLit! I really enjoyed all fourteen stories and the recurring themes of women’s perspectives, Indian family culture, loss, disabilities and accidents. My fave stories are A Things with Many Legs and Surya, Listen. A Thing with Many Legs features a character from a previous story and it’s about love and corporate culture. Surya, Listen is a tough story about a mother and son bond and forgiveness. A very good book indeed!
Thank you to House of Anansi Press for my gifted review copy!
Thank you to House of Anansi Press for my gifted review copy!
January 26, 2025
I liked this one for the varied experiences it brings in.
August 21, 2025
As an immigrant, I didn’t just read these stories, I lived them. Brilliantly written, real, and deeply human, they capture the paradox of life and the immigrant experience with rare honesty.
April 26, 2024
I haven't read such a dizzyingly brilliant and nuanced collection of stories about the South Asian diaspora since early days of Jhumpa Lahori, and almost never one that is SO subversive and relevant to the global zeitgeist. The stories are interconnected in that the central characters are related to each other through the great Malayali diaspora across time and displacement. And these slice of life quiet victorious moments made me emotional in the way the beauty of Indian women in sarees in the control room of the Mangalayan Mars Probe mission did so many years ago. So unapologetically Other in spaces they are aggressively dehumanized, and yet the women wield so much quiet power to be in awe of. The brilliant mix of rage and mundanity and revolution with no flashiness is simply a breath of fresh air in the subgenre of diasporic literature that was in much need to updating. Brava!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this free ebook for review purposes.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this free ebook for review purposes.
October 4, 2024
I thought the best story was the last one, Bestsellers. And I enjoyed the connection of characters between the different stories. But I did not have much of a connection to the people and their lives.
May 23, 2024
It started off as a slow read but it picked up three stories in. I like that the short stories were different but intertwined in a way. My current fave is Rahel then Driving Lessons which was so relatable.
I loved the many houses of kanmani too.
The last story, bestsellers was a perfect finish. I enjoyed reading this and would definitely watch out for other books by Deepa.
I loved the many houses of kanmani too.
The last story, bestsellers was a perfect finish. I enjoyed reading this and would definitely watch out for other books by Deepa.
September 7, 2024
Consistently brilliant.
April 17, 2025
(This review was previously published in Devour Art & Lit Canada Magazine, Winter 2024/25 edition)
Deepa Rajagopalan’s collection of stories made me pause from sinking into the abyss of despair over CanLit’s headlong plunge into politically correct, bland literature. Here was a book that dug under the skin, uprooting warts, even drawing blood, and exposing life in the Malayali immigrant community of North America.
These are women’s stories, women who have been hard done by, by spouses, bosses, boyfriends, circumstances, and their own families back home; women who are expected to grin, bear, and become successes in their adopted homeland. Many of them have broken marriages and relationships, and hover on the pay-cheque-to-pay-cheque periphery. All it takes is an accident, an illness, a sick child, or a transgressing spouse to drive them to the margins. Their community is comprised of STEM workers, mostly in the “T is for Technology” category, imported to the US and Canada and who have gone on to receive permanent residence. None have assimilated, however, for their North American communities are still lavish with customs, practices, and prejudices from the old world.
Some of the characters weave in and out of the stories that take place over the last forty years. Some of them stand out: PKOC (pronounced “peacock”) Lalitha, the bigoted diva of the temple (“How many of these American CEOs are from lower castes? Once you marry a lower-caste man, you change your last name, and that’s it, you are screwed.”); Rahel, the woman who was faithful to her long-distance married lover, before she decided to become one herself with other men; Devi, who works at integrating into America by self-learning to drive a car; Mohak, the lesbian IT worker who gets back at her insensitive employer by fiddling with the company’s computer code; Nilofer, who rebounds from an accident and a crushing divorce to become a potter of pieces that tell the story of her life; and Kala from the title story who makes peacock accessories and sells them on Instagram while earning a living working in a coffee shop.
Rajagopalan leaves these characters locked out of the mainstream, and one wonders whether integration is ever possible for people from strong foreign cultures who come to an open society like North America. Is this why the Indian bridegroom in the story “Live-In” packs his live-in girlfriend off before their wedding because his father is arriving from India to visit? Or why the father grumbles that the Thai take-out food he is eating is, “not fresh enough, but still better than pisa (pizza).”
One also wonders why, with India’s burgeoning economy, these highly-skilled workers still flock to North America to live on the margins. When eight-year-old Raji returns from Canada to Trivandrum for her mother’s kidney transplant operation—because the medical system in Canada was taking too long to deliver—Mother has high praise for the Indian medical system: “The nurse, the reception staff, the techs, everyone was so kind. You get the feeling that they really care. I guess that’s what happens when you can buy health care.” Maybe free medical care in Canada was the attraction, until the shine came off, just like it does with the North American Dream that seems just out of these characters’ reach.
I salute Rajagopalan for re-introducing “bold” to Canadian Literature. I hope more Canadian writers follow her example.
Deepa Rajagopalan’s collection of stories made me pause from sinking into the abyss of despair over CanLit’s headlong plunge into politically correct, bland literature. Here was a book that dug under the skin, uprooting warts, even drawing blood, and exposing life in the Malayali immigrant community of North America.
These are women’s stories, women who have been hard done by, by spouses, bosses, boyfriends, circumstances, and their own families back home; women who are expected to grin, bear, and become successes in their adopted homeland. Many of them have broken marriages and relationships, and hover on the pay-cheque-to-pay-cheque periphery. All it takes is an accident, an illness, a sick child, or a transgressing spouse to drive them to the margins. Their community is comprised of STEM workers, mostly in the “T is for Technology” category, imported to the US and Canada and who have gone on to receive permanent residence. None have assimilated, however, for their North American communities are still lavish with customs, practices, and prejudices from the old world.
Some of the characters weave in and out of the stories that take place over the last forty years. Some of them stand out: PKOC (pronounced “peacock”) Lalitha, the bigoted diva of the temple (“How many of these American CEOs are from lower castes? Once you marry a lower-caste man, you change your last name, and that’s it, you are screwed.”); Rahel, the woman who was faithful to her long-distance married lover, before she decided to become one herself with other men; Devi, who works at integrating into America by self-learning to drive a car; Mohak, the lesbian IT worker who gets back at her insensitive employer by fiddling with the company’s computer code; Nilofer, who rebounds from an accident and a crushing divorce to become a potter of pieces that tell the story of her life; and Kala from the title story who makes peacock accessories and sells them on Instagram while earning a living working in a coffee shop.
Rajagopalan leaves these characters locked out of the mainstream, and one wonders whether integration is ever possible for people from strong foreign cultures who come to an open society like North America. Is this why the Indian bridegroom in the story “Live-In” packs his live-in girlfriend off before their wedding because his father is arriving from India to visit? Or why the father grumbles that the Thai take-out food he is eating is, “not fresh enough, but still better than pisa (pizza).”
One also wonders why, with India’s burgeoning economy, these highly-skilled workers still flock to North America to live on the margins. When eight-year-old Raji returns from Canada to Trivandrum for her mother’s kidney transplant operation—because the medical system in Canada was taking too long to deliver—Mother has high praise for the Indian medical system: “The nurse, the reception staff, the techs, everyone was so kind. You get the feeling that they really care. I guess that’s what happens when you can buy health care.” Maybe free medical care in Canada was the attraction, until the shine came off, just like it does with the North American Dream that seems just out of these characters’ reach.
I salute Rajagopalan for re-introducing “bold” to Canadian Literature. I hope more Canadian writers follow her example.
May 24, 2024
4.5/5
Short stories, I feel, are often the hardest kind of stories to write. Every story must contain a start, middle, and end same as a novel, but with enough story to cover only a fraction of the pages a novel does. It carries the burden of telling a story in just a few pages while creating an interest in the reader for the characters, holding that interest and finally leaving the reader with an afterglow of the story. It is a few writers who have honed their craft enough to do that and Deepa Rajagopalan is one of those few. Her writing is poignant and evocative and makes her characters and stories come alive.
Each story feels not like a tale of some unknown person somewhere in time, but if real people in our time. I don't believe I have read a book that spoke about the immigrant experience of my generation of South Asians in Canada and other countries as well as Peacocks of Instagram does. I felt like I was reading about people I know because these are the stories we hear from people we know. It felt like reading about my family, my life, especially in "Whatever Happened, Happened for the Good". How deep of a character study must have been undertaken by the author to have written such profound characters that resonate with the reader so deeply.
My favourite story and character was "Rahel" for the stunning character she was - an independent, confident woman who doesn't shut out life despite the events in her own life and instead brings warmth to others. How could I not love her?
You will want to read and re-read this book because characters from one story make appearances in others and it feels like finding a friend unexpectedly. The writing is beautiful, the characters well-sketched and seriously I cannot recommend this book enough.
Short stories, I feel, are often the hardest kind of stories to write. Every story must contain a start, middle, and end same as a novel, but with enough story to cover only a fraction of the pages a novel does. It carries the burden of telling a story in just a few pages while creating an interest in the reader for the characters, holding that interest and finally leaving the reader with an afterglow of the story. It is a few writers who have honed their craft enough to do that and Deepa Rajagopalan is one of those few. Her writing is poignant and evocative and makes her characters and stories come alive.
Each story feels not like a tale of some unknown person somewhere in time, but if real people in our time. I don't believe I have read a book that spoke about the immigrant experience of my generation of South Asians in Canada and other countries as well as Peacocks of Instagram does. I felt like I was reading about people I know because these are the stories we hear from people we know. It felt like reading about my family, my life, especially in "Whatever Happened, Happened for the Good". How deep of a character study must have been undertaken by the author to have written such profound characters that resonate with the reader so deeply.
My favourite story and character was "Rahel" for the stunning character she was - an independent, confident woman who doesn't shut out life despite the events in her own life and instead brings warmth to others. How could I not love her?
You will want to read and re-read this book because characters from one story make appearances in others and it feels like finding a friend unexpectedly. The writing is beautiful, the characters well-sketched and seriously I cannot recommend this book enough.
May 27, 2024
I received a copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my review in any way.
I'm not a big short story person, but when I heard the synopsis for this, I immediately knew I had to read it. I tried out a new way of approaching this short story collection--one short story per night because one of the things that turns me off short story collections is how overwhelmed they sometimes make me feel. This method worked perfectly and it even helped build up the anticipation for reading the next story.
Deepa Rajagopalan's collection is incredibly rounded. Not only did we get thought-provoking stories, but also surprising conclusions for several of the characters as they inadvertently affected other characters in other stories.
And made even better was Rajagopalan's writing and how immersive it was. It also flowed so beautifully, making the heavier topics feel so easily digestible. The pacing was quick and most of the stories felt like punches as a result.
While some stories were definitely stronger than others, they all came together wonderfully. I loved their commentary on the Indian diaspora and how immigration was handled. I loved the deeper examinations of culture, racism, bigotry, classism, family, capitalism, and karmic justice--there was a lot of revenge in this and it was awesome.
Anyway, if you're looking for a new short story collection to hook you, then I think you're going to love this one! Highly, highly recommend!
Happy reading!
I'm not a big short story person, but when I heard the synopsis for this, I immediately knew I had to read it. I tried out a new way of approaching this short story collection--one short story per night because one of the things that turns me off short story collections is how overwhelmed they sometimes make me feel. This method worked perfectly and it even helped build up the anticipation for reading the next story.
Deepa Rajagopalan's collection is incredibly rounded. Not only did we get thought-provoking stories, but also surprising conclusions for several of the characters as they inadvertently affected other characters in other stories.
And made even better was Rajagopalan's writing and how immersive it was. It also flowed so beautifully, making the heavier topics feel so easily digestible. The pacing was quick and most of the stories felt like punches as a result.
While some stories were definitely stronger than others, they all came together wonderfully. I loved their commentary on the Indian diaspora and how immigration was handled. I loved the deeper examinations of culture, racism, bigotry, classism, family, capitalism, and karmic justice--there was a lot of revenge in this and it was awesome.
Anyway, if you're looking for a new short story collection to hook you, then I think you're going to love this one! Highly, highly recommend!
Happy reading!
June 3, 2024
"Peacocks of Instagram" by Deepa Rajagopalan is a captivating collection of short stories that celebrates the multifaceted lives of women in the Indian diaspora. Each of the fourteen tales introduces us to unforgettable characters, all grappling with their own unique struggles. From navigating cultural expectations to confronting societal pressures, these women are flawed, fierce, and undeniably captivating.
The author's prose is truly impressive. It's sharp, insightful, and beautifully crafted, making it hard to believe this is a debut collection. Each story unfolds like a miniature universe, leaving a lasting impression long after you reach the final line.
What resonated with me:
1. Unforgettable Characters: The collection features a diverse cast of women, each one complex and deeply human.
2. Relatable Struggles: The stories explore themes that will resonate with anyone navigating identity, family, and societal expectations.
3. Exceptional Writing: The author's sharp prose and evocative descriptions make these stories truly unforgettable.
"Peacocks of Instagram" is a must-read for those seeking:
1. A collection that celebrates the voices of women in the diaspora.
2. Short stories that pack a powerful punch with their emotional depth.
3. A captivating debut by a talented new voice in fiction.
While the book is a collection of short stories, the impact is undeniable. I highly recommend "Peacocks of Instagram" to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and beautifully written read.
The author's prose is truly impressive. It's sharp, insightful, and beautifully crafted, making it hard to believe this is a debut collection. Each story unfolds like a miniature universe, leaving a lasting impression long after you reach the final line.
What resonated with me:
1. Unforgettable Characters: The collection features a diverse cast of women, each one complex and deeply human.
2. Relatable Struggles: The stories explore themes that will resonate with anyone navigating identity, family, and societal expectations.
3. Exceptional Writing: The author's sharp prose and evocative descriptions make these stories truly unforgettable.
"Peacocks of Instagram" is a must-read for those seeking:
1. A collection that celebrates the voices of women in the diaspora.
2. Short stories that pack a powerful punch with their emotional depth.
3. A captivating debut by a talented new voice in fiction.
While the book is a collection of short stories, the impact is undeniable. I highly recommend "Peacocks of Instagram" to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and beautifully written read.
May 10, 2024
What a powerful debut collection! It's always a pleasant surprise to discover a prose stylist so adept, so fully-formed, with such a fresh voice.
Rajagopalan knocks it out of the park with Peacocks of Instagram. Through brilliant characterization and an uncanny ability to create tension and raise the stakes of almost any situation, Rajagopalan crafts stories with the urgency of page-turning thrillers but the depth and compassion of capital L literature. It's a remarkable feat. These stories bury their hooks deep in your flesh, then they tug. Undergirded with Rajagopalan's keen eye for culture and cultural behaviours in both North America and South Asia, every piece in the collection is a winner.
I look forward to more works from Rajagopalan. With Peacocks of Instagram there's a sense of getting in on the ground floor of something big, of a major new voice on the fiction scene.
Rajagopalan knocks it out of the park with Peacocks of Instagram. Through brilliant characterization and an uncanny ability to create tension and raise the stakes of almost any situation, Rajagopalan crafts stories with the urgency of page-turning thrillers but the depth and compassion of capital L literature. It's a remarkable feat. These stories bury their hooks deep in your flesh, then they tug. Undergirded with Rajagopalan's keen eye for culture and cultural behaviours in both North America and South Asia, every piece in the collection is a winner.
I look forward to more works from Rajagopalan. With Peacocks of Instagram there's a sense of getting in on the ground floor of something big, of a major new voice on the fiction scene.
November 30, 2024
3.75 stars
I came across this book on the Libby library main page and it sounded interesting. It’s a short story collection about diasporic Indian women. Each story is individual yet, at times, there’s some crossover from someone in a past story that connects it to this other story.
The stories’ themes include heartbreak and freedom, family and personal goals. It’s a snapshot in time of, say, your local coffee shop worker who can help in an unexpected way. At times it’s set in Toronto, sometimes in India.
Some I found more compelling than others but overall a well-written collection of short stories by this debut author.
I came across this book on the Libby library main page and it sounded interesting. It’s a short story collection about diasporic Indian women. Each story is individual yet, at times, there’s some crossover from someone in a past story that connects it to this other story.
The stories’ themes include heartbreak and freedom, family and personal goals. It’s a snapshot in time of, say, your local coffee shop worker who can help in an unexpected way. At times it’s set in Toronto, sometimes in India.
Some I found more compelling than others but overall a well-written collection of short stories by this debut author.
December 26, 2024
Instagram has become a fascinating place where stories are told through vibrant, eye-catching visuals. Books like Peacocks of Instagram dive into the culture of curated perfection and the pursuit of visual allure. For those of us who love contributing to this world with our own images, the editing process is crucial. I’ve personally found Skylum’s blog on the best instagram photo editing app to be an invaluable resource—it offers practical tips and app recommendations that elevate ordinary photos into pieces of art. It’s a perfect companion for anyone who enjoys exploring the beauty of visual storytelling.
March 16, 2025
Deepa Rajagopalan's " Peacocks of Instagram" is a beautiful short story collections that describes the struggles of ordinary people striving for a better life against difficult living conditions. Her way of narration is so piercing the minds of people. She portrays the sufferings resilience,hope and courage . Alongwith her narration, she includes humour also, that helps to balance the extreme mental sufferings.
It is a reflection of countless people' s lives, their efforts to overcome the difficult situations to become better lives , better situations.
This book really gives strength to overcome the bad situations.
It is a reflection of countless people' s lives, their efforts to overcome the difficult situations to become better lives , better situations.
This book really gives strength to overcome the bad situations.
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