She of the Mountains
 | |
| Author | Vivek Shraya |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Raymond Biesinger |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Young adult literature, Gay male teen fiction, Gender identity, Hindu mythology |
| Published | 2014 (Arsenal Pulp Press) |
| Publication place | Canada |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 152 |
| ISBN | 9781551525600 |
| OCLC | 937059761 |
She of the Mountains is a 2014 novel by Vivek Shraya that interweaves a story of the Hindu deities, Parvati, Shiva and Ganesh with a queer Hindu boy growing up in Canada.
Reception
Quill & Quire in a starred review of She of the Mountains wrote "Vivek Shraya seamlessly blends a lyrical interpretation of Hindu mythology with a contemporary coming-of-age tale. .. Studded with abstract illustrations by Raymond Biesinger, Shraya’s book is accessible, yet complex. "[1]
She of the Mountains has also been reviewed by Publishers Weekly,[2] Kirkus Reviews,[3] and The Globe and Mail.[4]
References
- ^ "Reviews: She of the Mountains". Quill & Quire. St. Joseph Media. May 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^ "She of the Mountains". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. August 11, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
This modern-day love story is interwoven with a retelling of the myths of the great goddess Pavarti; her husband, the god Shiva; and their son, the elephant god Ganesha. The Hindu gods, with their constantly shifting personas and manifestations, add a clever and thoughtful layer to the novel and highlight the intricacies and power of a love that eclipses gender, time, and conventions. Strikingly illustrated by Raymond Biesinger, this is a lyrical ode to love in all its many forms.
- ^ "She of the Mountains". Kirkus Media LLC. August 11, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
Sure, it's a messy, experimental work, but props to Shraya for putting himself out there in such a daring way and speaking truth to power to readers all along the sexual spectrum. An experimental multimedia hymn about delving into one's self, seeking love without labels.
- ^ Jade Colbert (November 21, 2014). "She of the Mountains: Vivek Shraya's latest novel intertwines two seemingly unrelated stories". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
What emerges is a queer love story addressing the issue of bisexual erasure ("You're gay" insist gay and straight people alike). .. So it's a self-love story as well.