Bali Rai

It's stomach churning to say the least. Bali Rai charts the disparity between the Sikh faith and its environmental, atrophied Punjabi culturalism where gender equity is concerned. 'Killing Honour' is more than just a young reader's novel charting the brutally inhumane aspect of South Asian culture.

How Rai conveys his hard-hitting points is through the medium of fiction. In my opinion, he's a master at harnessing the power of narrative to subtly punch patriarchy in the face. We follow our protagonist who discovers that his sister's supposed elopement is in reality a convenient visage for concealing her brutal murder. The most harrowing account in the novel is that of how another 'bride' is slaughtered by her husband in a bout of honor killing.

To say that this book is visceral is a colossal understatement. But it altered my life and my comprehension of South Asian cultural dynamics. For this, I will be forever thankful to Bali Rai for opening my eyes to what transpires behind closed doors.… (meer)

Gripping book about a boy from the council flats Jonas who witnesses some criminals throw away a gun which he then retrieves and hides in his room. Jonas is involved with a couple of other boys who are being picked on by a gang of youths from another council flat and their confrontations turn violent. Jonas makes the mistake of telling his unhinged mate Kamal about the gun and things take a turn for the worse. Full of suspense and action ( albeit somewhat violent), Australian students might struggle with the British slang terms but all in all an enthralling story.… (meer)

Collins Read On Easy Reader. Joey has been seeing Ria without the consent of her father and brothers. He has stolen one kiss from her and Ria is trapped by outdated cultural norms that she will go back to the "old country" and marry a man from her father's village. Suddenly Joey is being chased down by Ria's brothers and he must run through town for his life. He rings Ria and she decides that she can't live with her family anymore. They agree to meet up but when Ria goes to leave her house, she discovers she is locked in!
Gutsy book with an abrupt ending.… (meer)

Publisher's blurb:
"Aman's dad is gone. Mum won't say it and she's struggling to talk about it, but it's a fact and he isn't coming back. Aman has been feeling more than lost and alone since he died. It just seems to be her and mum against the world, even against their family.
When a lovely man called Gurnam moves in next door, it looks like he might fill a little gap in her life. But Gurnam has his own sadness. One that's far bigger than Aman can understand and it's tearing his life apart..." (Booktopia)

My comments:
Aman is dealing with the death of her father when she is rescued from some bullies by an older man called Gurnam. G seems to fill the gap in her life but suddenly A realises that G has his own issues that need to be confronted.
(SPOLIER ALERT : He is gay and has just come out to his wife and family after many years of marriage, and is deeply depressed because the family won't talk to him.)… (meer)