Ghost Chilli

by Nikkitha Bakshani

Muskan has a great life: a creative job in the big city, supportive friends, and no trouble finding first dates. So what if her colleagues don't know she exists, or her friends won't stop lecturing her about the three-year 'situationship' she's in? It's not like she's starving.

But something is wrong, and while the people around her seem to have all the right words, nobody can articulate what they want from each other. As obstacles mount and the easy-going persona Muskan has built starts to crumble, she is forced to face a question that's been quietly burning at the back of her mind: Why did her family move to America so abruptly?

Warm, funny, and sharply observed, Ghost Chilli is a story about trying to find honest relationships in an isolating world, and the weight we unwittingly carry.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published July 4, 2024

Reviews

[Cooper Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Muskan’s journey as she navigates family dynamics, friendships post-college and the horrors of online dating. Her inner world was so rich and relatable, punctuated with actual laugh out of loud one-liners, sharp observations and a deep, abiding, complex love of food. This story was heartbreakingly millennial in the best way possible.

[Prerna Choudhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing and entertaining character -driven read! The novel is led by its characters with the star being Muskan - who is a witty, real, and sometimes cringy throwback to how hard navigating your twenties can be. Bonus feature is her identity as a South Asian which is poignant and hilariously: we have all had strong moms and discussions with our parents over whether we've actually read all the WhatsApp forwards they have sent us. I related to Muskan wanting to address her issues while also maintaining her South Asian identity which screams *everything is okay while the whole world is crashing*. A glorious debut!

[Spacey Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ghost Chilli by Nikkitha Bakshani follows a young Indian woman Muskan living in New York. She has been in the states since her childhood, emigrating when she was young with her family. Muskan is experiencing the typical millennial crisis; career worries, relationship disasters and working through generational trauma. This is coupled by the intense pressure of her Indian parents, who remind her daily, it seems, about the sacrifices they have made for her. Muskan struggles to balance all these aspects of her life whilst being berated by her parents and sometimes her friends for her questionable friends.

I think this novel is a good portrayal of a first younger generation growing up in a different country and notably America with its highlights of consumerism and selfishness rather than confucianism which is present less in Western countries. I also think it is a good example of how many of us are living with toxic parents who continually place expectations on you.

However, I thought the story didn't explore these themes enough and could have reflected on Muskan dealing with these on a daily basis rather than simply showing us that she does encounter these incidents. Additionally, Muskan doesn't seem to have a lot of character development making the conclusion of the book a little flat but that is more realistic of life.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group for the free review copy!

[Arthur Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to describe what this book is about—a story about a girl in her 20s? An immigrant coming of age story? A journey with depression/complex PTSD?

No matter which description you go with, however, it is witty and warm. The dialogue is crisp and the characters are complex.

Despite the heavy undertones, the author keeps it hilarious, light, and relatable. Highly recommend!

[Happy Reader 2022 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great light but also devastating debut novel. Presents a strong character study of a South Asian complex millennial woman using online dating apps, having problems with their boss and patents as she fibds her way through life after college. Witty, funny, and real, with deeper undertones of a complex relationship with food with roots in generational trauma and resultant PTSD.

[Tilly Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5.

I loved this fun, insightful story 👏

Muskan is a brilliant but at times frustrating character - wanting to appear easy-going rather than stand up for herself or ask for what she wants. This is a contemporary story that explores dating, “situationships”, friendship, career and family, and whilst Muskan isn’t a teen, there’s a coming of age feeling to it as she begins to take more control of her life.

It’s an emotional and dark novel at times, as we explore Muskan’s difficult relationship with her mother and the reasons the family moved to the US. But it’s also sharp and funny, and full of warmth and relatable moments for anyone still figuring it all out. I found it really compelling and difficult to put down, and that’s down to the strength of the characters and witty writing. Definitely an author I’ll be looking out for more from.

[Jane de Florez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghost Chilli is a mixed species, hybrid chilli pepper which originates in North Eastern India. Until recently, the ghost chilli was the hottest chilli on record and also called the ‘poision chilli’. The subtle parallels are in the story.

The story is told by Muskan, a young Indian woman who has lived in New York since the age eight. Muskan is desperately trying to fit into a harsh society, constantly measuring herself against the complex raft of consumerist values, which like a religion, govern behaviour, employment and eating habits. Muskan always feels several steps behind, never seeing her own worth, her inner voice drowned in the tumult.

I wanted Muskan to realise that her sensitive reaction to this dystopian world was the only valid one, so that she could survive the constant casual abuse that is thrown her way, by her so-called friends and family, who of course ‘only want what is best for her’. The chilly, hybrid-New York English used by Muskan’s friends masks the true objectives of their speech and motivation. Nothing is genuine. The main goals of the supporting characters’ lives seemed to be to tick off attainment boxes.

This is a harsh picture of a younger generation reliving the puritanism of America, whose God is now relentless consumerism with rules to be followed. Heaven help those who fall under the wheels of such a system!

Muskan tentatively finds her own voice amongst the tumult of a culture so dominant that it dwarfs and deafens its own people, learning the value of her own feelings and making plans for another future.

This is a powerful book, skilfully-written, which delivers a bigger punch than first expected. There is an underlying sub-text which becomes disturbing as the reader gradually realises the extent of the challenge that Muskan faces alone.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written- so many amazing lines and characters
Loved Muskan's voice immediately and was really rooting for her the whole time whether she was dealing with bad dates, bad bosses or bad diets (whole 30) which might make this book sound like a bummer, but it's not

[Roma Vora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Chilli is a sharp, layered, and unexpectedly moving read.

At first glance, it’s a witty and fast-paced story that pulls you in with its humor and clever dialogue. But as you turn the pages, it reveals itself to be something more—a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the complicated ways we carry our past.

The writing is crisp, with a dry humor that never feels forced. The characters are vibrant, flawed, and achingly real, making even their smallest moments feel significant. And just when you think you know where the story is headed, it surprises you with a depth that lingers long after the last page.

For anyone who enjoys fiction that is both entertaining and profound, Ghost Chilli is a book worth picking up.

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

IT'S OKAY.
I liked that she's having these semi confrontations with her mom but ultimately, not doing anything; girl, same. I like that she's relatable.
But there's this huge shift where she's less depressed after she starts going to therapy with no discernible reason WHY. Which is odd, she's looking for answers and reasons, she's confused, she's not american, she's not indian. So she never finds peace.

Easy read.

[acapricornsread (TASH) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ pg 67 - "i'll fuck the fifteen-year-old right out of you" was a wild statement to end that chapter. I was already cringing, and this just hit the nail on the head. I guess you could say that this isn't my humour, though I'm sure it isn't for a lot of people.

[Becca Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written! Relatable and realistic depiction of living with depression in your 20s. The author does a good job of making the potentially serious topic light and funny. The characters felt both complex and like people I know in real life. I definitely recommend this read!

[Alice Easton · Rating 1 out of 5]

this was depressing and felt ??? glad it’s was over, the abuse between muskan and their mother was horrible and was just kinda forgotten about with no explanation, everyone in muskan life was horrible, and even herself is unbearable. also the i f**k the fifthteen out of you what was that…

[Malina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A taste of home. Delicious.

[Sara Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was written in such a strange way that I couldn't stop reading. The ending didn't really feel like it provided any kind of closure to me but that's ok, the journey was fun.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a nice read and I was invested in Muskan but I wasn’t gripped it took me a while to read

[Professor Weasel · Rating 5 out of 5]

so funny and sad. one of these best books I've read in years! the marketing copy for this book should have mentioned Seinfeld...

[Lime · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective, although I was hoping for her to find more of herself after all the anger and introspection.

[Anne Bode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, heartbreaking, and painfully relatable in many ways. I’m glad someone has accurately captured what this period of life can be like.

[Rai · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5-4*) Muskan’s journey is anything but linear, reflecting the brutal reality of navigating life in your 20s-30s. She’s sharp and witty but constantly a few steps behind and trips every time she tries to move forward. It was frustrating but also grounding. I’m glad the author chose not to magically resolve all Muskan’s issues in the end (although it had a hint of the stereotypical “girl who’s going to be okay” type conclusion) but I was also glad she had still moved forward despite the falls. Whether you’re on a similar journey or past where Muskan is, you can’t help but feel for her or with her. People describe the ghost chilli as ‘the heat sneaks up on you like a ghost’ and I felt that undercurrent at times but would’ve loved some of the tension of that feeling to have been brought forward a little bit more, particularly when exploring why Muskan thinks her parents left India, I don’t actually think that question was the central focus despite the book’s premise positioning it as such. But still a super promising debut and can’t wait to see the author do more.

[Michi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writer so clearly depicts her protagonist that at times reading this was almost painful, but I tore through this in two days nonetheless (and it would have been sooner, had travel not intervened) because the relationships that the protagonist has throughout, not least with her family, were at the same time hilarious and engaging.

To me, this spoke to me much like Lena Dunham's GIRLS. Not to say that the audience for this book should be at all limited, but I couldn't help but think that this book is for anyone who has lived, or is living, her youth in New York and is looking for a book that scopes the experience with compassion and humor.

[Harriet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Unfortunately I just really didn’t click with this one. On paper it sounded like something I’d love but sadly I just didn’t find that. I will say I did enjoy the foodie descriptions a lot though!