Words by Shayni Solanki.
Sometimes, classics won’t do. Everybody wants to see themselves represented in the media, so here are a few modern romance books starring women of colour.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club – Malinda Lo
Malinda Lo’s beautiful historical-fiction novel is a gripping read focusing on a Chinese teenager exploring her sexuality. What lies between its pages is a powerful and moving portrayal of lesbian romance. Set during the 1950s in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Lily makes her first white friend at school and a friendship begins to blossom. The two begin frequenting a lesbian bar called The Telegraph Club, and from there the story unfolds.
The context of the Red Scare and McCarthyism loom over the novel, adding an element of tension. The setting explores the fears of Chinese-Americans and provides a unique perspective. Not only does Lily have to come to terms with her sexuality, fearing everything a normal teenager would when trying to come out, but she also has to consider the effects of her background. This novel tackles racism and homophobia in such an interesting and unique way, that Lily has been described by some as a reinvention of the coming-out trope.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club is overall a beautiful read. It’s gripping and will quickly have you invested in Lily’s story. I really enjoyed reading this book as it offered a new perspective that I had never read before. Malinda Lo is so creative and ambitious with this novel, and it truly pays off.
Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold – Bolu Babalola
Written by British-Nigerian author Bolu Babalola, Love in Color is an amazing debut novel. A beautiful collection of short stories about love, these retellings will warm your heart. The tales told range from modern romance stories to ancient mythical tales. Often, some short stories can struggle to tell a powerful romance that grips the reader, but Bolu Babalola proves herself to be a master of romance.
There are many different themes explored in this book, ensuring that there’s a story for everyone. Whether you are looking for a fairytale love story or a corporate drama, this is the book for you. Boasting characters that are full of life, the women of this anthology don’t just fit into one box: every female character is unique.
The New York Times describes Babalola’s stories as resetting “ the idea of who sees and who is seen”. This comes as no surprise: her stories are so vivid and warm. She has a way with words that make the reader feel so immersed in the story that they become almost hard to escape.
The Henna Wars – Adiba Jaigirdar
The Henna Wars is a sweet coming-of-age story about a Bengali girl living in Dublin. The book explores the classic feelings of adolescence but adds a cultural spin. The novel’s main character Nishat develops a crush on the new girl at school, Flavia.
Jaigirdar uses the book to explore complex and difficult family relationships in such a special way. The conflict never feels forced for the sake of the plot. The family dynamic is established early on, and the cultural aspects are woven tightly into the story. With this, Jaigirdar does a wonderful job of integrating Nishat’s love for her culture and religion into the book. To do this carefully is one thing, but to do it this well is truly amazing. The Lesbian Review describes Jaigirdar’s style as “flawless and enthralling” – a genuinely perfect description. Perhaps the best thing about this book is its centering of two young women of colour as love interests. Both characters have distinct personalities and backgrounds, and are written as individuals rather than as plot points. Novels like The Henna Wars used to be so uncommon, and so it’s a welcome addition to the zeitgeist, and a powerful, warm, and beautifully written story about love.
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