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The Desirable Sister

Taslim Burkowicz (Goodreads Author)

3.29 · Rating details · 14 ratings · 12 reviews

Gia and Serena Pirji are sisters, but as the first-generation born in Canada to immigrant parents, their lives play out in different ways because of their skin tone. Gia's fair skin grants her membership to cliques of white kids as a teen, while Serena's dark skin means she is labelled as Indian and treated as inferior. This superficial difference, imposed by a society obs ...more

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Paperback, 310 pages

Published November 2nd 2019 by Roseway Publishing

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Jun 19, 2019 Dora Okeyo rated it really liked it

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 ...more

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Jul 29, 2019 Toni rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019, fiction, arc

Definite 3.5!

In recent years, scientists have begun to research the role sibling relationships play on in shaping individual personalities, positing that the sibling relationship may be as strong, if not stronger, than the parental relationship in shaping who we are and how we behave. At the heart of Taslim Burkowicz’ novel The Desirable Sister is the complicated and intricate connection between the Pirji sisters - Gia and Serena - and how that connection, both consciously and unco Definite 3.5!

In recent years, scientists have begun to research the role sibling relationships play on in shaping individual personalities, positing that the sibling relationship may be as strong, if not stronger, than the parental relationship in shaping who we are and how we behave. At the heart of Taslim Burkowicz’ novel The Desirable Sister is the complicated and intricate connection between the Pirji sisters - Gia and Serena - and how that connection, both consciously and unconsciously, catalyzes the thoughts and actions of the sisters throughout their lives.

From the time of their births, the die is cast – Gia, the oldest by less than a year, is fair-skinned, the shining example of beauty for any Indian girl, while Serena is dark with a head of unruly curly hair, the mirror of her mother who suffered under her own self-conscious comparisons to her fair-skinned sister. The book follows the lives of the sisters through childhood to adulthood to a rather heartbreaking denouement. Gia is the free-spirited artist who spends a great deal of her adulthood meandering like a somnambulist through several iterations of men and art, and Serena is the reactionary hot-head who finds herself locked in a prison of her own making. I think Burkowicz did a wonderful job in creating the inner worlds of both Gia and Serena. Equally, I think her the writing and the story was strongest when the sisters interacting with one another and/reacting to one another. I found a lot of truth in the way the Gia and Serena walked that fine line between wanting to show their best selves to one another and wanting to lay bare the darkest parts of their souls to one another. The deepest sadness of the book was that neither sister could ever be wholly true and open with one another and reveal the violence and heartbreak they had endured. I think this can be very true for many siblings. And, it points to the essential problem between Gia and Serena – they didn’t define themselves based on one another; rather they defined themselves based on what they perceived one another to be.

As a whole, I thought the novel bit off a bit more than it could chew. There were a lot of characters that came in and out of the story that I couldn’t determine the real value of their presence. I also felt a lot of threads that could have been interwoven throughout the story were just given up or lost, namely the relationship to their mother (and their identity as first-generation immigrant children), and the relationship to the aunt living in Africa whom they visited as children (a visit that included one of the most important events of the book) and never heard from again. Finally, I am not entirely sure how I feel about the ending. It felt a little melodramatic upon first read, but also led to a touching conclusion. Again, it felt a little too big for the story as a whole.

At the end of the day, I found myself wanting to pick up the book and touch base with Gia and Serena. I wanted to see where their lives were going. And, that is the essence of storytelling – wanting more. I look forward to what this author does in the future.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. ...more

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Jul 20, 2019 Kate Lynn rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As a person that oscillates between cultures myself, I was intrigue by the premise and plot. Although I truly enjoyed the issues that the book brought up for discussion (culture/tradition, colorism, sexism, healthy relationships, generational trauma, colonization, etc. Although it was understood that the story's point is to illustrate the harmful effects of colorism and the scars that linger into adulthood, some parts of the story were unsatisfying.

Things that Bothered Me

As a person that oscillates between cultures myself, I was intrigue by the premise and plot. Although I truly enjoyed the issues that the book brought up for discussion (culture/tradition, colorism, sexism, healthy relationships, generational trauma, colonization, etc. Although it was understood that the story's point is to illustrate the harmful effects of colorism and the scars that linger into adulthood, some parts of the story were unsatisfying.

Things that Bothered Me

For example, Serena never learned about Kabir raping Gia or the affair Kabir had with her aunt, and they were estranged for years because Serena believed that Gia thought she was superior. However, Gia never felt that way and the only one that had a complex about it was Serena, ie. meaning that she was the one that actually thought her sister was superior (because of her skin tone). And ironically, she made herself and her sister suffer for that. And Serena was the one that did harmful things to her sister, thinking it was the other way around. And their parents kinda of disappeared. People popped up in this novel quite randomly...? I mean they get shipped to their aunt in Uganda, but then never see her again? Despite the fact that she is uber rich with a gay husband? And did anyone ever find that Danny's mom Serene's painting in the closet? :) I was waiting for Kabir to get a comeuppance!

What I Loved
This was a story about sisters ultimately. There were men, but it was truly about the relationship between the women and the one that they had with themselves. Which perhaps could explain the rapid departures of some of the characters. The issues that were highlighted were extremely important! In addition, since I'm a several culture kid, I identified a lot with some of the struggles. I also felt like the infertility part was handled well (no magical, miracle pregnancy), simply finding another way of being a mother. And ultimately, the book was well written and the female characters were thick, juicy, flawed, and real.

The Desirable Sister is a good read, especially for those of us that have identity issues or are in the search for belonging. It explores that in between place -- who your parents raised you to be, who you think you are, who you want to be, and the reality of yourself. I would definitely read more of Taslim's work. The issues I have with the novel are only because I came to care about the characters so much, which is a great thing! It is literary fiction, so the action is a bit more nuanced. However, it is an enjoyable read that raises many important questions about identity and sisterhood.

I read an ARC from NETGALLEY.

...more

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Jul 22, 2019 Woman In Time rated it really liked it

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 be ...more

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Jul 29, 2019 Samhita Argula rated it liked it

The book is very different from its description. It actually entails a story more advanced than what the blurb reads.

A story about the lives of two Indo-Canadian sisters set worlds apart due to colourism, which produces sibling rivalry.

The plotline developed very unpredictably, even up until the climax, which will throw you off course. I feel the story digressed from the main plot quite a bit. Overall, it is a good book and a fast read.

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Jul 28, 2019 Roselyn rated it really liked it

The Desirable Sister is beautifully written.

Two sisters from one family with one difference; the colour of their skin. This story follows Gia and Serena's journey through life each with their own struggles.

Gia, the white sister who is considered more beautiful struggles to relate to her own family and desperately clutches to her heritage to prove her Indian background. Serena, who is brown, desperately lives in the shadow of Gia who, in her own eyes, she considers more beautiful, an ...more

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Jul 08, 2019 Mo rated it liked it

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 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 #PYWBlog(Fall/Winter2019) #digitalproofreading #copyeditingservices ...more

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Jul 30, 2019 Lauren rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2019

Ah, this book sounded so promising - almost exactly like an Indian-Canadian version of one of my favorite books of the year, Mrs. Everything. It started out strong, and was not terrible up until the traumatic climax for one of the sisters, after which things really go off the rails.

Gia and Serena lose their identities and don’t feel like individuals - and there is hardly any focus on characters other than the two sisters. You get flashes of each sister’s life spaced out every few years, but you don’t get ...more

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Jul 24, 2019 Margaret Duke-Wyer added it

Shelves: read-in-2019, reviewed

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 differ ...more

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Oct 04, 2019 Robin (ReadItRobi) rated it really liked it

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a sneek peak at this wonderful story! The Desirable Sister offers a look at the way prejudice plays out even within a particular race and across society as a whole. Never over done, Taslim Burkowicz's realistic look at the antagonistic relationship between two sisters shows all too well how shades of color impact every area of our lives, even without us realizing it.

Gia and Serena were so well written, that I felt sisterly towards them both and at times ...more

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Aug 23, 2019 Ellen rated it really liked it

A book about sisters, their rivalry, jealousy and love. Born in Canada, but OF Indian background, Gia and Serena are close in age but different in personalities. Much of it is attributed to Gia’s whiteness as being valued more than Serena’s dark skin and the acceptances or rejections that stem from color. An incident visiting their aunt in India changes Gia, and with those misunderstood changes, Serena and Gia losE the closeness they had as young children. The book was well written, and the them ...more

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Sep 08, 2019 Kim Cavadel rated it it was ok

I was looking forward to reading this book, but I was left disappointed. Although, the storyline is good, I had trouble relating to the characters. The dialogue felt forced and awkward at times and I struggled to finish it.

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About Taslim Burkowicz

Taslim Burkowicz

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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, runni ...more

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