Member Review

'Deviants' by Santanu Bhattacharya powerfully explores the lives of three gay men from different generations of the same family in India.

Vivaan is growing up as a teenager in India's Silicon Plateau at a time when his sexuality is completely accepted by his family; while eyebrows are briefly raised about him bringing a boy to the school prom, his mother is happy to battle the principal on his behalf. That is not to say life is plain sailing for Vivaan - in his relationship with Zee, he must consider how he feels about Zee's willingness to pursue "Ethical Non-Monogamy", and later he becomes absorbed by internet pornography and a new virtual partner.

Vivaan benefits from the mentorship of his uncle (or 'Mambro') who is also gay and in turn had a gay uncle of his own, Sukumar. Through these three characters' lives and experiences, we are able to see the shifting patterns of gay life in India over the last fifty years, including the decriminalisation and recriminalisation of homosexuality. To varying degrees, Sukumar and Mambro must keep their sexuality hidden and face different challenges including bullying, social stigma and shame, and the longing for children and family life which can never be theirs.

Santanu Bhattacharya deftly interweaves the three stories - Sukumar's told in the third person, Mambro's in the second person and Vivaan's as a recorded voice note. Harrowing at times, this is a moving and insightful novel - many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.