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A review by _askthebookbug
Sugarbread by Balli Kaur Jaswal
5.0
• r e v i e w •
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Sometime last year I read Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows and was enraptured by Balli Kaur Jaswal's writing flair. And when Sugarbread came in the mail, I knew I had to immediately read it. Unlike ESFPW, Sugarbread felt more personal probably because of Pin and the relationship she shared with her mother (something that instantly lured me in). But beyond relationships, this novel focuses on Pin struggling to find her identity, acceptance and above all, in knowing that nothing comes close to seeking comfort from family. The author has the ability to make one see Singapore through her eyes and while I devoured this novel, I could picture the market that Pin and her mother frequented to and the warm taste of sugar melting in my mouth as I bit into freshly toasted bread.
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Set in the 90s, Pin's family is amongst the minorities living in Singapore. With a father who never fails to smile and a mother whose moods are depicted in the food that she makes, Pin lives a seemingly normal life until she witnesses a sudden change in the family dynamics. From the very beginning it's clear that Pin adores her mother, right from her beauty to the way she whips us delicious food of various cuisines. They were like other Punjabi families until they stopped visiting the temple, until the portrait of God was taken down and she was permitted to cut her hair. At school, Pin is aware of her family's financial condition as she stands in the queue to receive Bursary. When the Bus uncle calls her 'Mungalee', her face flushes with anger because she's too young to deal with racism. While dealing with subtle racism at school to being part of a familial drama, Pin comes to understand her mother's secret.
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Pin who's just ten notices how her father works hard to keep the family happy and how her mother's rash flares up when she is worried. She understands how her mother's day has been through the food she is served. When her grandmother moves in, she finds a drastic change in her mother's cooking. Everything seems bland, a sign that her mother is exhausted and sad. While Pin's mother and grandmother work on resolving their past, Pin is let in on the secret that her mother has guarded all her life; part of her past which broke families that they are now trying to mend. The book is narrated by Pin, a child who is mature beyond her age but allows a little bit of imagination to let her get through the days. Pin is funny, witty and extremely brave, often making me want to hug her and tell her how proud I was of her. From racism to sexual assault, Balli Kaur Jaswal hasn't held herself back in addressing important issues that plague many countries. Through Pin, she paints a vivid picture of how children perceive racism and uncalled differentiation when they can barely understand those concepts. And through food, she brings together a rich mix of emotions that not only warmed me but left behind a bittersweet taste in my mouth. It's amazing how a novel that is so lighthearted addresses significant flaws in the society.
.
Sugarbread was everything I hoped to be and so much more. To read the story from a child's perspective was not only refreshing but was also moving and at times, rib-tickling. Pin was relatable and perhaps this is why I absolutely adore this novel. And not soon after I finished reading this, I made myself Sugarbreads and ate them with the same amount of enthusiasm that Pin did. I highly recommend this.
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Rating : 4.8/5.
.
Sometime last year I read Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows and was enraptured by Balli Kaur Jaswal's writing flair. And when Sugarbread came in the mail, I knew I had to immediately read it. Unlike ESFPW, Sugarbread felt more personal probably because of Pin and the relationship she shared with her mother (something that instantly lured me in). But beyond relationships, this novel focuses on Pin struggling to find her identity, acceptance and above all, in knowing that nothing comes close to seeking comfort from family. The author has the ability to make one see Singapore through her eyes and while I devoured this novel, I could picture the market that Pin and her mother frequented to and the warm taste of sugar melting in my mouth as I bit into freshly toasted bread.
.
Set in the 90s, Pin's family is amongst the minorities living in Singapore. With a father who never fails to smile and a mother whose moods are depicted in the food that she makes, Pin lives a seemingly normal life until she witnesses a sudden change in the family dynamics. From the very beginning it's clear that Pin adores her mother, right from her beauty to the way she whips us delicious food of various cuisines. They were like other Punjabi families until they stopped visiting the temple, until the portrait of God was taken down and she was permitted to cut her hair. At school, Pin is aware of her family's financial condition as she stands in the queue to receive Bursary. When the Bus uncle calls her 'Mungalee', her face flushes with anger because she's too young to deal with racism. While dealing with subtle racism at school to being part of a familial drama, Pin comes to understand her mother's secret.
.
Pin who's just ten notices how her father works hard to keep the family happy and how her mother's rash flares up when she is worried. She understands how her mother's day has been through the food she is served. When her grandmother moves in, she finds a drastic change in her mother's cooking. Everything seems bland, a sign that her mother is exhausted and sad. While Pin's mother and grandmother work on resolving their past, Pin is let in on the secret that her mother has guarded all her life; part of her past which broke families that they are now trying to mend. The book is narrated by Pin, a child who is mature beyond her age but allows a little bit of imagination to let her get through the days. Pin is funny, witty and extremely brave, often making me want to hug her and tell her how proud I was of her. From racism to sexual assault, Balli Kaur Jaswal hasn't held herself back in addressing important issues that plague many countries. Through Pin, she paints a vivid picture of how children perceive racism and uncalled differentiation when they can barely understand those concepts. And through food, she brings together a rich mix of emotions that not only warmed me but left behind a bittersweet taste in my mouth. It's amazing how a novel that is so lighthearted addresses significant flaws in the society.
.
Sugarbread was everything I hoped to be and so much more. To read the story from a child's perspective was not only refreshing but was also moving and at times, rib-tickling. Pin was relatable and perhaps this is why I absolutely adore this novel. And not soon after I finished reading this, I made myself Sugarbreads and ate them with the same amount of enthusiasm that Pin did. I highly recommend this.
.
Rating : 4.8/5.