Sookh Kaur: Breaking Away

The spice got me; it got me so good, I still think about it. While there were some stylistic choices to which I did not align (explained later), I still couldn’t put the book down.

Thank you to Sookh Kaur for having me on the advanced reader copy (ARC) team for this novel. This is my honest review: 2.5 stars.

© Sookh Kaur

Based on a review of available titles on Amazon, the novel “Breaking Away” appears to be Sookh Kaur’s 11th published book! She’s prolific; thank goodness she is, because we need more stories where people of colour (in this case, South Asians) are portrayed as the main characters, the love interests, and the desirable ones. People of colour are still not widely portrayed this way in the media, so we need to keep adding to the body of work that allows us to reclaim our power and our self-love. This was my first time reading Sookh Kaur’s work, and I'm interested to read more.

What is really noticeable right from the first chapter is the tension! There is tension within the main characters, there is tension between them, and it pulled me right in. Like a piano string that has been tuned so taut it could snap at any moment, the author does a great job of making this palpable. 

A prominent feature of the relationships in this story is healthy respect; respect for one’s self, respect for one’s family, and being respected by one’s romantic partner. It is common in Asian cultures that the idea of respect is confused/bundled with obedience and authority. The divide is very clearly established between the immigrant and first generations in this story, and it’s one with which many children of immigrants will likely be able to self-identify. This familial struggle is often wrought with feelings of guilt, doubt, shame, frustration, and responsibility, and the author conveys this very well. 

One of the benefits of reading stories where South Asians are the main characters in a North American setting is that we get an honest glimpse into the realities of straddling the values between two cultures. The way the author works in her family members’ names becoming Westernized/Anglicized as part of their success is very real, and speaks to the experience of cultural assimilation. While this wouldn’t be considered a true diasporic piece of literature, I did appreciate that this cultural reality was touched upon.

This feels like a Canadian hockey romance story, as quite a lot of it takes place in Vancouver. Hockey is stereotypically synonymous with Canada; yes, the country is multicultural, but to be honest, from a Canadian person of colour, it tends to be associated with White Canada. Newsflash: Asians love hockey, too! It was neat to see a Punjabi character in a position of power in a very Canadian sport that has very little minority representation, particularly in positions of leadership. If you ever watch hockey in Canada, you’ll know of Punjabi Hockey Night in Canada. For over 15 years now, Harnarayan Singh has been the voice commentating our hockey games in Punjabi. The intersection between Punjabis and hockey was a reflection of real sport culture in Canada.

The question likely lingers: why 2.5 stars? I preface my explanation by saying that I respect the effort and creativity it takes to write a book, and it is not fair to ever blatantly bash a written work. Not all books are for everyone, and that’s ok. I respect this author and appreciate their work, and I am entitled to my respectful opinion. 

In addition, as a librarian, I am a defender of access to information and I support that all books have their value. I do not subscribe to the belief that some works of fiction are less than others, and as such, should be viewed by lesser standards. Genres of books may have their conventions, but I review a piece of indie literature with the same dignity and respect that I would review a book by a revered best selling author.

Here it is: I did not connect with the writing style employed in this book. A lot of readers will appreciate the writing; the stylistic choice certainly helps to build anticipation and excitement for the plot. However, it was too direct for me; I would have preferred the writing if the plot emerged in the reader's understanding more via the stylistic use of literary devices.

For example:

Style 1: I’m on the field. It’s early. The stadium is empty, so it's easy to see who’s around. I know she’s not here without even looking. I look anyway.

Style 2: The heat of the midday sun blazes against my back. The cacophonous crashing of helmet against helmet is in the distance, and won’t be heard until after the sun bows out in a sea of purples and pinks. The squeaking sound of shoes against the turf and footballs throwing down reverberate through the hollow stadium. With an effortless glance, I only see her memory. My heart always sees her, even when my eyes do not.

The above example intends to convey the difference in writing style, and this reader’s preferred approach. Personally, the stylistic choice employed in this book created a disconnect in the reading experience.

In the plot, there is a moment where a character enters a defining moment with regards to a particular relationship. There is a very impassioned portion of text with regards to body shaming, with which a lot of readers will identify. The writing is very sincere and calls out standards of beauty and the realities faced by real bodies (ie: stretch marks, wrinkles, freckles, thickness, thinness, etc.). Body shaming is described as a clear “red flag,” a “hard no,” and is stated as being very determinant in the outcome of the relationship. However, in subsequent mentions of the relationship, the body shaming is not what continues to come up as the deciding factor.

The body shaming in question is not mentioned past chapter 8; there are 66 chapters in the book. By not carrying the intolerance of body shaming through the story, the idea of it as a “red flag” loses credibility.

Having said that, the author does celebrate body positivity in the book. The main female character, for all her body realness, is absolutely cherished. She is worshiped, she is cared for, she is made safe, she is made a priority. The way in which the main male character celebrates and truly loves her and her body is exceptional; it is beyond swoon worthy. It was refreshing to read about a South Asian female lead and love interest, who seemingly disrupts conventional beauty standards, getting treated like the hottest, smartest, most talented, sexiest, and divine creature on this earth.

I am interested in reading more stories with South Asian love interests in Sookh Kaur’s other works.