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A review by mariahistryingtoread
Thirst by Varsha Bajaj
4.0
The most sobering aspect of Thirst, is that the worsening effects of climate change - and infuriating lack of government response - means a majority of us may inevitably find ourselves in Minni's situation some day.
The successful takeover by conservative bigotry and religious extremism over much of our political sphere - or rather the reassertion of its dominance - means that Minni's level of poverty and educational restrictions are already a reality for many in the United States regardless of our 'First World' status.
This book is a great look at adverse circumstances in a foreign country and one girls' continued pushback against adversity. For kids who have led (comparatively) privileged lives or been insulated from the world at large it's hopefully a wake-up call to appreciate what you have. On the other side of the coin, it serves as a grim reminder at where we might be headed.
The existential dread of what's to come may follow you, but make no mistake this an optimistic book at its core. Minni is more than aware of how dire her circumstances are. Yet despite the insurmountable odds before her, the book makes it a point to emphasize how the only true way for her to fail is to give into that despair.
Those in power desperately want you to feel any action is futile. Shaking up the status quo is detrimental to their self-interests, after all. It's important now more than ever that we refuse to yield. If we succumb now then there's no chance of anything getting better. As long as we try, the opportunity for change will always be there.
Easier said than done, I know, but that's the point Thirst is making. It is hard. It is unbelievably, unfairly, unprecedentedly hard. Acknowledging the potential (probable) failure of a social movement, recognizing the callous disregard for human life many have, feeling burnt out, wringed out, and beat like a dead horse while refusing to stop advocating for better is probably the hardest thing you'll ever do.
The unfortunate truth of the matter is: you have to do it anyway.
The successful takeover by conservative bigotry and religious extremism over much of our political sphere - or rather the reassertion of its dominance - means that Minni's level of poverty and educational restrictions are already a reality for many in the United States regardless of our 'First World' status.
This book is a great look at adverse circumstances in a foreign country and one girls' continued pushback against adversity. For kids who have led (comparatively) privileged lives or been insulated from the world at large it's hopefully a wake-up call to appreciate what you have. On the other side of the coin, it serves as a grim reminder at where we might be headed.
The existential dread of what's to come may follow you, but make no mistake this an optimistic book at its core. Minni is more than aware of how dire her circumstances are. Yet despite the insurmountable odds before her, the book makes it a point to emphasize how the only true way for her to fail is to give into that despair.
Those in power desperately want you to feel any action is futile. Shaking up the status quo is detrimental to their self-interests, after all. It's important now more than ever that we refuse to yield. If we succumb now then there's no chance of anything getting better. As long as we try, the opportunity for change will always be there.
Easier said than done, I know, but that's the point Thirst is making. It is hard. It is unbelievably, unfairly, unprecedentedly hard. Acknowledging the potential (probable) failure of a social movement, recognizing the callous disregard for human life many have, feeling burnt out, wringed out, and beat like a dead horse while refusing to stop advocating for better is probably the hardest thing you'll ever do.
The unfortunate truth of the matter is: you have to do it anyway.