Deviants

By Santanu Bhattacharya

One of the most interesting books I’ve read recently, Deviants is a look at queer life in India, in the closing part of the 20th Century and the early years of this one.

It interweaves the stories of three generations of gay men in a single family, telling about their queer awakening, their loves and their family.

When so much queer literature is firmly based in the west, it’s really interesting to read something set in a country where things have changed and become more liberal much more recently. There are lots of references to particular festivals, which can be a little disorientating at first, but hopefully will inspire readers to find out more about them - though it’s not a requirement to enjoy the book.

The stories are presented as told by the protagonists, so there’s a switching in style which can seem a bit jarring at first; but it’s also one of the very few books I have picked up recently where a passage just made me pause and reflect on the beauty of the writing.

I really do recommend this, especially if you enjoy broadening your perspectives on queer life.

Deviants, Santanu Bhattacharya