My Dear Comrades

by Sunu P. Chandy

In this poetry collection, Sunu P. Chandy includes stories about her experiences as a woman, civil rights attorney, parent, partner, daughter of South Asian immigrants, and member of the LGBTQ community. These poems cover themes ranging from immigration, social justice activism, friendship loss, fertility challenges, adoption, caregiving, and life during a pandemic. Sunu’s poems provide some resolve, some peace, some community, amidst the competing notions of how we are expected to be in the world, especially when facing a range of barriers. Sunu’s poems provide company for many who may be experiencing isolation through any one of these experiences and remind us that we are not, in fact, going it alone. Whether the experience is being disregarded as a woman of color attorney, being rejected for being queer, losing a most treasured friendship, doubting one’s romantic partner or any other form of heartbreak, Sunu’s poems highlight the human requirement of continually starting anew. These poems remind us that we can, and we will, rebuild.

Genres: Poetry, Queer

148 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2023

Reviews

[Ruth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so lovely and moving. Her poems on attempting to become a mother was where she really grabbed me, and didn’t let go until the end of the collection. As new poetry enthusiast, I found it easy to read but still very thought provoking, the language beautiful and the content focused on love, love, always love. I hope I can better remember integrity after experiencing these poems.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some experiences after the past couple years that are shared, feelings and struggles given voice that I did not realize I needed to see expressed. My Dear Comrades fulfills its title—embodying universal sensations of panic during the pandemic, acceptance from our elders, deep resentment at the unfairness of the world when even our loved ones achieve what we seek—while retaining a detail and emotion that is beautifully unique. Timely and moving, this book resonated with me personally, but I hope everyone will pick up this book and see themselves represented.

[Alanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this poetry collection based on a recommendation from Loyalty Bookstores and I’m so thankful that I did. Sunu’s words, perspectives, experiences, and observations resonated with me on many levels. I’m excited to put my copy in the mail and send it to a dear friend to read as well, and hopefully she’ll then share with someone else when she’s done. I would love to see/hear Sunu read her poetry - I hope she does a reading in the DC area! I highly recommend this poetry collection.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

books like these remind me why i love poetry. a series of beautiful, still moments in time - warm chapters of a life well shared.

[Courtney LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poems about motherhood, identity, queerness, relationships, the pandemic, love, and hope.

from Sleet: "And this is how it feels, / with my family. // Stuck in this land between / acceptance and rejection, / a moment that should have been transitional, / but instead, several years of sleet. Not disowning me / but not quite allowing me in, either."

from Taxi Driver Brother Man: "Winter fling and I finally get a cab / and have the nerve to start kissing. / After all that is why she got on the plane / and come to this city— / no cousins that she needs to visit really."

from Ode to the Broken Printer, Three Printers Ago: "E likes to repair things. She is pro-composting / and anti-landfill. And when something breaks / she keeps it, just to see what can be done."

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry that highlights the human experience, her experiences as an Indian American, queer experiences, and the way poetry constructs the human soul and interactions with one another. I loved her consistency in the prose poem and the intentional word choices that were so carefully chosen. The only thing that would have made me fall in love faster with this collection is a dive into more experimental forms of poetry. And that is on personal preference and not the writer!

[Libbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of things to relate to here. The balancing of one’s political consciousness Recognizing oppression in other countries yet buying shoes that are cheap that are made there. The experience of watching a civil rights office being dismantled. An experience of motherhood.

I’m not much of a poetry reader, but I found these poems very relatable and enjoyed reading them. This might be a good gateway book into poetry!

[Olivia Landis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed most of the poems. Some of them however, I felt should have been separated into different poems. I just didn’t get the connection between different ideas expressed in a few of the poems.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - just wow. Savoured this book of poems and didn’t want it to end. It’s been a long time since a book of poems made me feel so many layers of emotion. Truly a stand-out for me. Will read anything by this author now!

[Franc · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Too Pretty" and "Calculate" destroyed me, and "Grade Four Peaches"... everything was gorgeous and heart-breaking...

"Mattina Mia" was also very profound...

I hope you've found some light recently, author--I'm cheering you on in our battle against the world's injustices.

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't prepared, but at one point I just started crying. This is an amazing collection of poems. I'm so glad I managed to find a signed copy in a local bookstore. Definitely check content warnings.

[Morgan Heckerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

personal and political
queerness, race, gender, class, money, motherhood, fertility, "passing"
the lot