Go-Between Girl: My Indentured Roots as Reclaimed Present

by Andrea Gunraj

The under-told legacy of indentured servitude runs through the blood of countless descendants in the diaspora. In this deeply felt collection of essays, Andrea Gunraj explores the impact of her family’s history on her sense of self.

Andrea Gunraj delves into the under-told legacy of indentured labour and its lasting impacts on descendants across diasporas, from the Caribbean and Latin America to Canada, the United States, and beyond. She captures the complexities of belonging and the challenges of navigating dichotomies. Through the concept of “go-betweenness,” Gunraj illustrates her path from the intersections of race, class, and identity to a broader understanding of colonial histories.

A gripping read that weaves memoir with history and cultural criticism, Go-Between Girl is both accessible and profound, intimate and political. Gunraj invites readers to reconsider their narratives about work, love, and heritage. Her essays are a touching testament to the enduring quest for justice, offering a powerful contribution to contemporary conversations on race, feminism, and the unfinished legacies of colonialism.

Genres: Nonfiction

312 pages, Hardcover

Published April 14, 2026

Reviews

[Anjana]

I knew nothing about the history of Indian origin people in countries where they went at indentured labourers. Consecutive books led me to learn the basic facts and the people and the various things that might have driven the decisions as well as the cultural ramifications. This book is a direct narrative of a descendent of that journey.

I have been guilty of an action the author mentions people from India doing. One in which the surname or family name of the individual is scrutinized to figure out where in India they might have originally been from. When I first moved to NYC I saw a lot of names on billboards that seemed Indian but spelt very differently and the author points out the obvious reason for that as well as the lack of interest in finding the antecedents of the name.

The chapters are not continuous, neither are they like a stream of consciousness style. There’s a method to the author’s approach in baring her soul. Her conflicts in terms of loyalty and belonging are raw and understandable. There are so many levels of identity to wade through as well as the differences from the normal culture around them. I found every chapter could trigger a conversation if one wanted.


The writing is simple and straightforward, something that works really well with the subject matter. The book is about an individual as well as all those who are connected to her in some form or fashion.

I would definitely recommend it to people who are third culture themselves or interested in the phenomenon where there’s already multiple cultures at home and a whole other one outside. Even if one’s background maybe less conflict filled than those of indentured labourers, the confusion described here has several levels.

I would also recommend it to people who did not know this about Indian history.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Jocelyn Lockyer]

This is a wonderfully written and thoughtful book. The research supporting the book and its reflections are commendable. Reminiscent of Isabel Wilkerson’s book, The Caste, Go-Between Girl takes some of the central ideas of differences, non-whiteness and immigration into a Canadian context. Gunraj was born in Canada of parents from Guyana whose heritage was SE Asian (India). Through that lens, her work with vulnerable and immigrant families and her own research, she provides reflections on many aspects of how she has navigated her life. The chapter on her mother’s illness and the extended family’s support provides lessons for us all on closeness. The history of indentured servents, as many people from India and China, went to the Caribbean reminds us that there were many routes to the Caribbean and not all people were enslaved. However, even if not enslaved, indentured servitude was fraught with many of the same perils and speaks to colonialism and European disregard for people whose skin isn’t white. The chapter on learning to make pepperpot was quite endearing—clearly a recipe not to be attempted unless you are steeped in family tradition and supported in the endeavor. Love transcends all as she recounts learning to love the oppressor.
This is definitely a book Canadians should read to reflect on the amazing people and heritage that Canada provides.

[Krupal]

What a read! There was so much I appreciated here—not only in the experiences being explored, but in the way the experiences were written. The best word I can find for the style is 'punchy'. The writing is sharp and thought-provoking, often pushing me to reflect on ideas and perspectives that hadn’t crossed my mind before.

I also found myself learning throughout—particularly around indentured labourers and questions of identity—which added another layer of depth to the reading experience. The structure felt like a blend of essays and memoir, giving it an intimate yet intellectually engaging quality. The author also brings in quotes from other critical thinkers.

This isn’t a book I feel “done” with after one read. I'll be returning to it to sit with and take in more fully.

[Cyrus]

I picked this up because I realized I know a lot about slavery but almost nothing about indentured servitude. That alone made it worth my time. Andrea Gunraj writes about her family's history Indo-Caribbean roots, indentured laborers sent across the ocean and how that legacy sits inside her. The concept of being a "go-between," never fully belonging to one culture or another, really hit home for me. I'm mixed-race myself, and I've never seen that feeling described so perfectly. Some of the essays are dense, not gonna lie, but she has this sharp, punchy style that keeps you moving. I finished it feeling like I'd learned something important and also seen myself on the page. That's rare.