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Unfolding: A Novel
'... she would ask Ralph someday if presence meant love, if the idea of someone always being there was love.'
Ralph, in his thirties, desires a steady relationship. But his partner, Ojas, has other plans-he wants to keep it open. Meanwhile, Ralph's house-help Zubina faces a crisis of her own. After walking in on Ralph and Ojas sharing a moment of tenderness, she starts questioning her own marriage-one that has produced two children, but little else; certainly not the kind of love she had borne witness to at Ralph's.
As Ralph tries to retain a sense of equanimity under the shadow of Ojas's decision, and as Zubina struggles to understand the foundations of her own married life, both, from vastly different circumstances, find themselves beset similarly by deep restlessness and confusion. Both are in relationships burdened by words that have never been said. Both are waiting for a future to reveal itself - to unfold as it must.
An exceptional debut novel that follows an affluent homosexual couple in Kolkata and a working-class Muslim mother in the city's slums, Unfolding ventures where few stories go.
It confronts the wayward ways of the heart; it articulates the true price of love; and it tells us what it means to find the road back home.
Ralph, in his thirties, desires a steady relationship. But his partner, Ojas, has other plans-he wants to keep it open. Meanwhile, Ralph's house-help Zubina faces a crisis of her own. After walking in on Ralph and Ojas sharing a moment of tenderness, she starts questioning her own marriage-one that has produced two children, but little else; certainly not the kind of love she had borne witness to at Ralph's.
As Ralph tries to retain a sense of equanimity under the shadow of Ojas's decision, and as Zubina struggles to understand the foundations of her own married life, both, from vastly different circumstances, find themselves beset similarly by deep restlessness and confusion. Both are in relationships burdened by words that have never been said. Both are waiting for a future to reveal itself - to unfold as it must.
An exceptional debut novel that follows an affluent homosexual couple in Kolkata and a working-class Muslim mother in the city's slums, Unfolding ventures where few stories go.
It confronts the wayward ways of the heart; it articulates the true price of love; and it tells us what it means to find the road back home.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2026
8 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 13, 2026
The title intrigued me even before I knew what the story was about. " Unfolding" felt like a promise that something quiet, something hidden, would slowly reveal itself page by page. And that’s exactly what this book does.
Set in Kolkata, the story follows Ralph and Ojas , two men trying to love each other in a world that doesn’t always make that love easy. Their relationship isn’t dramatic or loud; it’s built on routines, shared spaces, unspoken expectations, and the constant tension between wanting freedom and wanting reassurance. Sometimes they feel deeply connected, and sometimes they feel like strangers living under the same roof and that honesty made their love feel painfully real.
What adds even more depth is Zubina, their house-help, who quietly observes their relationship while navigating her own life. We get glimpses of Zubina’s past, and those parts truly stayed with me. I really loved the way Adil adores her and their daughters his love feels steady, protective, and soft in a way that contrasts beautifully with the emotional turbulence in Ralph and Ojas’s relationship. Through Zubina’s world, the story gently explores class, marriage, and different versions of love without judging any of them.
Personally, this book made me pause many times. There were moments that felt too familiar the fear of not being enough, the desire to be chosen again and again, the loneliness that can exist even in togetherness. It didn’t make me cry loudly, but it left me thinking long after I closed it. It made me reflect on how love is not just about passion it’s about understanding, compromise, and sometimes confronting parts of ourselves we don’t want to see.
" Unfolding " isn’t a grand romance. It’s quiet, layered, and deeply human. And maybe that’s why it lingers because it doesn’t shout about love, it simply lets it unfold
Set in Kolkata, the story follows Ralph and Ojas , two men trying to love each other in a world that doesn’t always make that love easy. Their relationship isn’t dramatic or loud; it’s built on routines, shared spaces, unspoken expectations, and the constant tension between wanting freedom and wanting reassurance. Sometimes they feel deeply connected, and sometimes they feel like strangers living under the same roof and that honesty made their love feel painfully real.
What adds even more depth is Zubina, their house-help, who quietly observes their relationship while navigating her own life. We get glimpses of Zubina’s past, and those parts truly stayed with me. I really loved the way Adil adores her and their daughters his love feels steady, protective, and soft in a way that contrasts beautifully with the emotional turbulence in Ralph and Ojas’s relationship. Through Zubina’s world, the story gently explores class, marriage, and different versions of love without judging any of them.
Personally, this book made me pause many times. There were moments that felt too familiar the fear of not being enough, the desire to be chosen again and again, the loneliness that can exist even in togetherness. It didn’t make me cry loudly, but it left me thinking long after I closed it. It made me reflect on how love is not just about passion it’s about understanding, compromise, and sometimes confronting parts of ourselves we don’t want to see.
" Unfolding " isn’t a grand romance. It’s quiet, layered, and deeply human. And maybe that’s why it lingers because it doesn’t shout about love, it simply lets it unfold
February 11, 2026
I picked up Unfolding by Rahul Singh expecting a queer love story, but what I found was something far more uncomfortable and honest. Through Ralph and Ojas’s fragile attempt at an open relationship, and Zubina’s quiet, unseen life as their house-help, the novel shows how love is shaped (and strained) by identity, class, and power.
The pace is fast, sometimes rushing past emotions I wanted to sit with, but the second half deepens beautifully. This is not a comforting read, but it stays with you long after you finish the last page. A brave and thoughtful debut that left me thinking long after I finished.
The pace is fast, sometimes rushing past emotions I wanted to sit with, but the second half deepens beautifully. This is not a comforting read, but it stays with you long after you finish the last page. A brave and thoughtful debut that left me thinking long after I finished.
February 13, 2026
-Because Love is Murder Too-
Review of 'Unfolding' by Rahul Singh
Quote Alert
"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐨, 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐢𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨, 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐚𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬, 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞-𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝. 𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩."
Can love be tied up in words? If it can be, Rahul Singh has secured a knot in his book. All you have to do is unfold it. Come, fall in love...with this book. Want to know about queer relationships in contemporary India? Read it this Valentine's. 'Unfolding' is rife with sadness, struggle, grief and goodbye. But at the same time, it also carries magic in the centre of its tender, papery heart.
I won't say the obvious: that although this book chiefly depicts a love story between two men, it's really a story that is about love. NO. It's not about love. It's (more) about love between two men which can lead to murders, hate and attacks (Google Pascal Kaiser) Because love ain't simple. It's not just one love. There are many many versions. Multitudes of it. Some are celebrated and revered. Some are swept under the carpet. So don't tell me that love is love. Love is not love. Love is loathing too. It is hiding too. Love is murder too. It is so many things that it can't be boxed into one. Sometimes a glass half empty is a better conclusion of the circumstances.
So what's the story about? Ralph and Ojas are struggling in their relationship. Ojas wants to have sexual encounters with men outside the relationship. Ralph is dead set against it. The way they deal with their relationship and the family makes up the crux of the story. It's punctuated by another story, of Zubina, their house help, who is not contemplating her quiet love with her husband.
Do you think you really know about love? Have you tried to box it up? Label it? Chain it in your perception? Bind it to your beliefs? Or have you been too embarrassed to accept it and have shoved it into a dark place, hidden it inside a closet? If the answer to all the aforementioned questions is yes, this book will give a little jolt to your belief system.
Unfolding has two love stories but the book promotes Ralph and Ojas story so I will take about that more. I feel if Rahul Singh had only written about them, the book would have been tigher and better. Zubina's story just comes in the way. It could have been shorter. Author has gone to too many places, trying to show social inequality but I only wanted Ralph and Ojas. Because the book COMES ALIVE when it's talking about them. Rahul Singh's approach on the story is tight when he is talking about Ralph and Ojas but it meanders when he talks about Zubina. Although one of the best lines of the book is in her portion:
"She saw the empty stool he had been sitting on and felt as though something was amiss. He had been there. He was always there, like light in front of her eyes, or like her shadow; her reflection. And that vacant space seemed to suggest a life when he wouldn't be there. It made her sad. Was that love? Surely, she would ask Ralph someday if presence meant love, if the idea of someone always being there was love."
So you go and read the book and decide for yourself if I am right about Zubina's portion being a bit lax or not.
Love blazes through the story, sometimes whispering sometimes screaming through words. The writer, through his characters, talks about love, the longing it brings, the pain of separation, the effervescent joy of discovering the desires of your own heart. It's a joy to join this journey with the characters.
The author has shown the reader the reality of queer identity in India. Not everything is rosy, of course. Have a look at these lines:
"He scoffed, 'Ridiculous, plain ridiculous. Soon, we will see two boys in a mandap taking the pheras.' Ojas stopped eating; an awkwardness came creeping over him. His mother added, 'Modiji is going to foreign lands and bringing their weird culture here.She clicked her tongue and asked Ojas if he wanted more daal. He didn't know what to say; the strangeness of the situation stared him in the face. He was the 'weird culture' in the room, at the table where his parents were 'normal' with a straight and sacred marriage. His brother was heading towards that."
The part where Ralph obsesses over his body, doubting if it's still attractive makes up for a riveting read. Here the author has skillfully caught the role of attractiveness in a relationship. Have a look:
"He bent down and scrubbed the back of his thighs, staring at his buttocks in the mirror. They were not as arched or shapely as they had once been. He bent further and cleaned his calves that were matted with hair, his thick ankles, and the space between his toes, until he was scrubbing the tiles on which he stood. Didn't Ojas obsess over his body all day when they were beginning to get fond of each other? The water began washing the suds off his broad and thick shoulders. His chest growing a pair of grizzly pouches on the two sides. His shaven crotch resembling a half-opened walnut. And his legs- they were not tall enough to make up for the weight distributed around his body."
Pick it up today.
Review of 'Unfolding' by Rahul Singh
Quote Alert
"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐨, 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐢𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨, 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐚𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬, 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞-𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝. 𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩."
Can love be tied up in words? If it can be, Rahul Singh has secured a knot in his book. All you have to do is unfold it. Come, fall in love...with this book. Want to know about queer relationships in contemporary India? Read it this Valentine's. 'Unfolding' is rife with sadness, struggle, grief and goodbye. But at the same time, it also carries magic in the centre of its tender, papery heart.
I won't say the obvious: that although this book chiefly depicts a love story between two men, it's really a story that is about love. NO. It's not about love. It's (more) about love between two men which can lead to murders, hate and attacks (Google Pascal Kaiser) Because love ain't simple. It's not just one love. There are many many versions. Multitudes of it. Some are celebrated and revered. Some are swept under the carpet. So don't tell me that love is love. Love is not love. Love is loathing too. It is hiding too. Love is murder too. It is so many things that it can't be boxed into one. Sometimes a glass half empty is a better conclusion of the circumstances.
So what's the story about? Ralph and Ojas are struggling in their relationship. Ojas wants to have sexual encounters with men outside the relationship. Ralph is dead set against it. The way they deal with their relationship and the family makes up the crux of the story. It's punctuated by another story, of Zubina, their house help, who is not contemplating her quiet love with her husband.
Do you think you really know about love? Have you tried to box it up? Label it? Chain it in your perception? Bind it to your beliefs? Or have you been too embarrassed to accept it and have shoved it into a dark place, hidden it inside a closet? If the answer to all the aforementioned questions is yes, this book will give a little jolt to your belief system.
Unfolding has two love stories but the book promotes Ralph and Ojas story so I will take about that more. I feel if Rahul Singh had only written about them, the book would have been tigher and better. Zubina's story just comes in the way. It could have been shorter. Author has gone to too many places, trying to show social inequality but I only wanted Ralph and Ojas. Because the book COMES ALIVE when it's talking about them. Rahul Singh's approach on the story is tight when he is talking about Ralph and Ojas but it meanders when he talks about Zubina. Although one of the best lines of the book is in her portion:
"She saw the empty stool he had been sitting on and felt as though something was amiss. He had been there. He was always there, like light in front of her eyes, or like her shadow; her reflection. And that vacant space seemed to suggest a life when he wouldn't be there. It made her sad. Was that love? Surely, she would ask Ralph someday if presence meant love, if the idea of someone always being there was love."
So you go and read the book and decide for yourself if I am right about Zubina's portion being a bit lax or not.
Love blazes through the story, sometimes whispering sometimes screaming through words. The writer, through his characters, talks about love, the longing it brings, the pain of separation, the effervescent joy of discovering the desires of your own heart. It's a joy to join this journey with the characters.
The author has shown the reader the reality of queer identity in India. Not everything is rosy, of course. Have a look at these lines:
"He scoffed, 'Ridiculous, plain ridiculous. Soon, we will see two boys in a mandap taking the pheras.' Ojas stopped eating; an awkwardness came creeping over him. His mother added, 'Modiji is going to foreign lands and bringing their weird culture here.She clicked her tongue and asked Ojas if he wanted more daal. He didn't know what to say; the strangeness of the situation stared him in the face. He was the 'weird culture' in the room, at the table where his parents were 'normal' with a straight and sacred marriage. His brother was heading towards that."
The part where Ralph obsesses over his body, doubting if it's still attractive makes up for a riveting read. Here the author has skillfully caught the role of attractiveness in a relationship. Have a look:
"He bent down and scrubbed the back of his thighs, staring at his buttocks in the mirror. They were not as arched or shapely as they had once been. He bent further and cleaned his calves that were matted with hair, his thick ankles, and the space between his toes, until he was scrubbing the tiles on which he stood. Didn't Ojas obsess over his body all day when they were beginning to get fond of each other? The water began washing the suds off his broad and thick shoulders. His chest growing a pair of grizzly pouches on the two sides. His shaven crotch resembling a half-opened walnut. And his legs- they were not tall enough to make up for the weight distributed around his body."
Pick it up today.
February 10, 2026
Unfolding by Rahul Singh is one of those rare books that feels quiet on the outside but stays in your memories forever.The book doesn't have many twists and turns instead it feels like a flowing river, sharing a story about the ups and downs of life.
It's a story of lonliness infact a tale of Queer relationship,how they keep secrets within the walls of the bedroom, away from the society chaos, even far away from their parents.
When I was reading the book the feels like stepping into a home where people are just living their lives,laughing at small jokes, holding back tears, and trying every day to love and be loved in a world that doesn’t make it easy but still they are trying to adjust.
The book is about two worlds living under the same roof living very different lives. One is Ralph and Ojas, a gay couple in Kolkata, sharing an apartment, routines, fights, and small joys.They are trying their best to love each other still desire of “openness"in their relationship Alongside there is Zubina, their Muslim house help, a young woman she comes, cooks, cleans, goes back to her own house, and quietly watches everything about the couple’s life how they touch, how they argue, how they care for each other..While struggling with her own problems.
The writing style feels like listening to someone really talking about their life sometimes fast sometimes slower
but as things keep unfolding, there are little cracks in the relationships, in the families, the way people pretend they’re fine but they’re not.
One of the best thing i liked about the novel is how it shows that love and loneliness can live side by side. People can share a home, a bed, or a joke, and still feel completely unseen or misunderstood.
If you like books that make you feel rather than just entertain, this book is for you.
It's a story of lonliness infact a tale of Queer relationship,how they keep secrets within the walls of the bedroom, away from the society chaos, even far away from their parents.
When I was reading the book the feels like stepping into a home where people are just living their lives,laughing at small jokes, holding back tears, and trying every day to love and be loved in a world that doesn’t make it easy but still they are trying to adjust.
The book is about two worlds living under the same roof living very different lives. One is Ralph and Ojas, a gay couple in Kolkata, sharing an apartment, routines, fights, and small joys.They are trying their best to love each other still desire of “openness"in their relationship Alongside there is Zubina, their Muslim house help, a young woman she comes, cooks, cleans, goes back to her own house, and quietly watches everything about the couple’s life how they touch, how they argue, how they care for each other..While struggling with her own problems.
The writing style feels like listening to someone really talking about their life sometimes fast sometimes slower
but as things keep unfolding, there are little cracks in the relationships, in the families, the way people pretend they’re fine but they’re not.
One of the best thing i liked about the novel is how it shows that love and loneliness can live side by side. People can share a home, a bed, or a joke, and still feel completely unseen or misunderstood.
If you like books that make you feel rather than just entertain, this book is for you.
January 25, 2026
There was something so specific about the kind of relationship fathers and sons, or mothers and sons, shared, he began to realize. These relationships did not slip into one another to form a composite whole. Their weave and texture remained distinct."
This book surprised me in so many ways for a debut novel. For one, it's set in Kolkata, India and the characters feel so real and relatable.
In Indian setting parents are by default nosy as to when their child should get married and with whom but we can't even begin to imagine what happened to the children who haven't opened up to their parents about their true identity, it's a lot to process and not always easy for either of them.
In this book the complexity of such relationships is depicted beautifully. Ojas who's unable to open up to his parents that he is gay finds himself often suffocated with their demands. Ralph although who has opened up, struggles with some other misunderstandings with his father. Also Ralph and Ojas struggle with each other, they love each other but also find it difficult to be around each other, sometimes. Where Ralph wants Ojas solely for himself, Ojas on the other hand proposes to open the relationship to make things spicier and interesting between the two.
Zubina, Ralph's house-help tries to understand the concept of love, she starts to introspect her relationship with her husband Aadil through the lens of Ralph's and Ojas's relationship.
The book explores the theme of in and out of a relationship with the person you're in love with, the uncertainty and the unpredictability in the relationship as to what one wants from the other felt real because when there is a lot left unsaid, eventually it unfolds on its own.
It also raises the question as to what love is? Whether it's a delusional notion or it's the stability of the household, or to have a reliable person by your side to lean on, or the compromise which we usually do when we want the other person to be happy?
For a queer romance in an Indian setting, I'd say the author has done a good job writing such a brave and bold narrative.
This book surprised me in so many ways for a debut novel. For one, it's set in Kolkata, India and the characters feel so real and relatable.
In Indian setting parents are by default nosy as to when their child should get married and with whom but we can't even begin to imagine what happened to the children who haven't opened up to their parents about their true identity, it's a lot to process and not always easy for either of them.
In this book the complexity of such relationships is depicted beautifully. Ojas who's unable to open up to his parents that he is gay finds himself often suffocated with their demands. Ralph although who has opened up, struggles with some other misunderstandings with his father. Also Ralph and Ojas struggle with each other, they love each other but also find it difficult to be around each other, sometimes. Where Ralph wants Ojas solely for himself, Ojas on the other hand proposes to open the relationship to make things spicier and interesting between the two.
Zubina, Ralph's house-help tries to understand the concept of love, she starts to introspect her relationship with her husband Aadil through the lens of Ralph's and Ojas's relationship.
The book explores the theme of in and out of a relationship with the person you're in love with, the uncertainty and the unpredictability in the relationship as to what one wants from the other felt real because when there is a lot left unsaid, eventually it unfolds on its own.
It also raises the question as to what love is? Whether it's a delusional notion or it's the stability of the household, or to have a reliable person by your side to lean on, or the compromise which we usually do when we want the other person to be happy?
For a queer romance in an Indian setting, I'd say the author has done a good job writing such a brave and bold narrative.
February 5, 2026
"His mind and body had grown haggard with emotions he couldn't share; with a life he had to make sense of alone. He knew he needed Ralph by his side. Because his presence seemed to be the only balm to his injury. Because he alone could shield him from the awful glare of the world "
"ZUBINA CLEANED THE SMUDGES ON THE MIRROR WTH THE SIDE OF HER FIST.WAS ADIL SEEING HER TURN BEAUTIFUL? SHE COULD STILL FEEL THE HEAT RADIATING FROM HIM ;IT SEEMED TO REACH HER MOUTH. SHE COULD IMAGINE HIS ROUGH,CALLOUSED HANDS ON HER POWDERED FACE. HER BODY TENSED WITH LONGING. 12 YEARS OF WAIT. SHE SWALLOWED THE THIRST THAT ROSE IN HER MOUTH"
I know these quotes make you wonder what are the dynamics of their relationships...Before starting Unfolding, I already had a picture in my head. I thought it would be a simple queer love story — two men meeting, falling in love, facing a few struggles, and eventually finding their way back to each other. Maybe some ups and downs, some resistance from society, but in the end, things would settle. Blame it on growing up with Bollywood somewhere I had already assumed a hopeful, neat ending. But as I read on, especially after crossing the halfway mark, I realised this book is not just about a relationship between two people. It’s not even just about a queer relationship. It’s about relationships in general — how they exist, how they strain, how they survive, and sometimes how they quietly fall apart.
This book doesn’t limit itself to one love story. There are parallel relationships unfolding at the same time. A romantic relationship, yes — but also relationships between husband and wife, between friends, between parents and children, between siblings, between a mother and her daughter, between two sisters. Every bond comes with its own tension, expectations, fears, and unspoken emotions. What struck me is how real all of it feels. There’s no unnecessary drama. These are the kinds of conflicts you see around you every day — loving someone your family may never accept, suppressing parts of yourself just to keep peace, carrying guilt, jealousy, and insecurity quietly within.Ralph’s insecurities stayed with me — about his body, his age, the fear of being replaced, the fear of not being loved enough anymore. The way these emotions are shown is subtle, almost uncomfortable, because they feel so familiar. One character that deeply touched me was the house help. She almost feels like a silent observer someone witnessing a relationship she has never seen before. Not with judgement, but with curiosity and warmth. She doesn’t fully understand it, yet she recognises the care, the gentleness, the happiness between them. Through her eyes, you see what love looks like when stripped of labels. What amazed me most is how the author manages to weave all these relationships together jaise ek hi dhage mein sab rishton ko bun diya ho. Everything is connected. Everyone is affected. And when those tangled threads slowly begin to loosen, there’s a quiet sense of acceptance rather than loud resolution. By the time I finished the book, I felt strangely content. Not because everything was perfect, but because everything felt honest. Unfolding doesn’t try to convince you of anything. It simply shows you how relationships exist messy, layered, imperfect and lets you sit with that truth. If you pick this book expecting just a love story, you’ll be surprised. And if you pick it up with an open heart, you might find yourself reflected in more ways than you expected.
This book doesn’t limit itself to one love story. There are parallel relationships unfolding at the same time. A romantic relationship, yes — but also relationships between husband and wife, between friends, between parents and children, between siblings, between a mother and her daughter, between two sisters. Every bond comes with its own tension, expectations, fears, and unspoken emotions. What struck me is how real all of it feels. There’s no unnecessary drama. These are the kinds of conflicts you see around you every day — loving someone your family may never accept, suppressing parts of yourself just to keep peace, carrying guilt, jealousy, and insecurity quietly within. Ralph’s insecurities stayed with me — about his body, his age, the fear of being replaced, the fear of not being loved enough anymore. The way these emotions are shown is subtle, almost uncomfortable, because they feel so familiar.One character that deeply touched me was the house help. She almost feels like a silent observer someone witnessing a relationship she has never seen before. Not with judgement, but with curiosity and warmth. She doesn’t fully understand it, yet she recognises the care, the gentleness, the happiness between them.
Through her eyes, you see what love looks like when stripped of labels.What amazed me most is how the author manages to weave all these relationships together jaise ek hi dhage mein sab rishton ko bun diya ho. Everything is connected. Everyone is affected. And when those tangled threads slowly begin to loosen, there’s a quiet sense of acceptance rather than loud resolution.By the time I finished the book, I felt strangely content. Not because everything was perfect, but because everything felt honest.
Unfolding doesn’t try to convince you of anything. It simply shows you how relationships exist messy, layered, imperfect and lets you sit with that truth.If you pick this book expecting just a love story, you’ll be surprised. And if you pick it up with an open heart, you might find yourself reflected in more ways than you expected.
"ZUBINA CLEANED THE SMUDGES ON THE MIRROR WTH THE SIDE OF HER FIST.WAS ADIL SEEING HER TURN BEAUTIFUL? SHE COULD STILL FEEL THE HEAT RADIATING FROM HIM ;IT SEEMED TO REACH HER MOUTH. SHE COULD IMAGINE HIS ROUGH,CALLOUSED HANDS ON HER POWDERED FACE. HER BODY TENSED WITH LONGING. 12 YEARS OF WAIT. SHE SWALLOWED THE THIRST THAT ROSE IN HER MOUTH"
I know these quotes make you wonder what are the dynamics of their relationships...Before starting Unfolding, I already had a picture in my head. I thought it would be a simple queer love story — two men meeting, falling in love, facing a few struggles, and eventually finding their way back to each other. Maybe some ups and downs, some resistance from society, but in the end, things would settle. Blame it on growing up with Bollywood somewhere I had already assumed a hopeful, neat ending. But as I read on, especially after crossing the halfway mark, I realised this book is not just about a relationship between two people. It’s not even just about a queer relationship. It’s about relationships in general — how they exist, how they strain, how they survive, and sometimes how they quietly fall apart.
This book doesn’t limit itself to one love story. There are parallel relationships unfolding at the same time. A romantic relationship, yes — but also relationships between husband and wife, between friends, between parents and children, between siblings, between a mother and her daughter, between two sisters. Every bond comes with its own tension, expectations, fears, and unspoken emotions. What struck me is how real all of it feels. There’s no unnecessary drama. These are the kinds of conflicts you see around you every day — loving someone your family may never accept, suppressing parts of yourself just to keep peace, carrying guilt, jealousy, and insecurity quietly within.Ralph’s insecurities stayed with me — about his body, his age, the fear of being replaced, the fear of not being loved enough anymore. The way these emotions are shown is subtle, almost uncomfortable, because they feel so familiar. One character that deeply touched me was the house help. She almost feels like a silent observer someone witnessing a relationship she has never seen before. Not with judgement, but with curiosity and warmth. She doesn’t fully understand it, yet she recognises the care, the gentleness, the happiness between them. Through her eyes, you see what love looks like when stripped of labels. What amazed me most is how the author manages to weave all these relationships together jaise ek hi dhage mein sab rishton ko bun diya ho. Everything is connected. Everyone is affected. And when those tangled threads slowly begin to loosen, there’s a quiet sense of acceptance rather than loud resolution. By the time I finished the book, I felt strangely content. Not because everything was perfect, but because everything felt honest. Unfolding doesn’t try to convince you of anything. It simply shows you how relationships exist messy, layered, imperfect and lets you sit with that truth. If you pick this book expecting just a love story, you’ll be surprised. And if you pick it up with an open heart, you might find yourself reflected in more ways than you expected.
This book doesn’t limit itself to one love story. There are parallel relationships unfolding at the same time. A romantic relationship, yes — but also relationships between husband and wife, between friends, between parents and children, between siblings, between a mother and her daughter, between two sisters. Every bond comes with its own tension, expectations, fears, and unspoken emotions. What struck me is how real all of it feels. There’s no unnecessary drama. These are the kinds of conflicts you see around you every day — loving someone your family may never accept, suppressing parts of yourself just to keep peace, carrying guilt, jealousy, and insecurity quietly within. Ralph’s insecurities stayed with me — about his body, his age, the fear of being replaced, the fear of not being loved enough anymore. The way these emotions are shown is subtle, almost uncomfortable, because they feel so familiar.One character that deeply touched me was the house help. She almost feels like a silent observer someone witnessing a relationship she has never seen before. Not with judgement, but with curiosity and warmth. She doesn’t fully understand it, yet she recognises the care, the gentleness, the happiness between them.
Through her eyes, you see what love looks like when stripped of labels.What amazed me most is how the author manages to weave all these relationships together jaise ek hi dhage mein sab rishton ko bun diya ho. Everything is connected. Everyone is affected. And when those tangled threads slowly begin to loosen, there’s a quiet sense of acceptance rather than loud resolution.By the time I finished the book, I felt strangely content. Not because everything was perfect, but because everything felt honest.
Unfolding doesn’t try to convince you of anything. It simply shows you how relationships exist messy, layered, imperfect and lets you sit with that truth.If you pick this book expecting just a love story, you’ll be surprised. And if you pick it up with an open heart, you might find yourself reflected in more ways than you expected.
February 15, 2026
🍀Book - Unfolding
🍀 Author - Rahul Singh
🍀 Between the pages -
“I need you. Please meet me”
“Ralph saw the message as he finished work. He was preparing to return home and treat himself to a cool shower atter a hectic day. A business gathering was never peaceful. This time, the kitchen had prepared a series of meals for a gathering of actors, directors and crew members working on a Bengali film. Ralph had made his classic mille-feuilles and experimented with orange madeleines and a cranberry compote to go with it. He was called for when they wished to convey their thanks; they were full of praise. The madeleines were dense-moist with crispy edges. Their citric, tangy notes blended perfectly with the tart cranberries. Hearing the compliments made Ralph's body fill with joy, but he kept a straight face and thanked them. It had been a long time since he had heard compliments.”
🍀 Review -
Even before I began reading Unfolding, the title and the cover felt like a quiet promise — that something hidden would slowly reveal itself, layer by layer and this is exactly what this novel does.
It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t dramatize. Instead, it gently opens up the fragile interiors of the lives of the characters.
Set in Kolkata, the story moves between two very different worlds living under the same roof. On one side are Ralph and Ojas — an affluent couple in their thirties trying to navigate love, desire, and uncertainty. Ralph wants stability, something steady and certain. Ojas, however, wants openness — a relationship free from traditional expectations.
The book is not about loud conflict but a quiet unraveling: the fear of not being chosen, the ache of unsaid words, the tension between intimacy and loneliness.
The relationship between Ralph and Ojas feels intimate, flawed, and painfully real. The tenderness they share is undeniable, yet so is the restlessness. The novel portrays a queer relationship with sensitivity and honesty, allowing it to exist in all its complexity rather than limiting it to labels.
Another story is about Zubina, their Muslim house-help. She enters their apartment each day to cook and clean, observing their life — the way they both argue, the way they care, the way they touch. But witnessing their tenderness forces her to confront the emptiness in her own marriage. Though she has two children and a husband, Adil — whose quiet affection for her and their daughters adds a grounded contrast — she begins to question what love truly means in her own life?
Through Zubina, the novel brings different point of view of different class, faith, and gender — showing how emotional longing transcends social boundaries. Though Ralph and Zubina come from vastly different circumstances, both are burdened by words left unsaid. Both fight with the quiet confusion of their hearts.
What touched my heart most is the emotional intimacy of the writing. I found myself pausing often because the feelings felt so close to home — the fear of not being enough, the silence that stays between two people who love each other deeply . The story doesn’t shout; it seeps in and stays with you . It is quiet, layered, and deeply human.
Unfolding is ultimately about love in its most vulnerable form — its price, its fragility, and its capacity to unsettle.
🍀 Author - Rahul Singh
🍀 Between the pages -
“I need you. Please meet me”
“Ralph saw the message as he finished work. He was preparing to return home and treat himself to a cool shower atter a hectic day. A business gathering was never peaceful. This time, the kitchen had prepared a series of meals for a gathering of actors, directors and crew members working on a Bengali film. Ralph had made his classic mille-feuilles and experimented with orange madeleines and a cranberry compote to go with it. He was called for when they wished to convey their thanks; they were full of praise. The madeleines were dense-moist with crispy edges. Their citric, tangy notes blended perfectly with the tart cranberries. Hearing the compliments made Ralph's body fill with joy, but he kept a straight face and thanked them. It had been a long time since he had heard compliments.”
🍀 Review -
Even before I began reading Unfolding, the title and the cover felt like a quiet promise — that something hidden would slowly reveal itself, layer by layer and this is exactly what this novel does.
It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t dramatize. Instead, it gently opens up the fragile interiors of the lives of the characters.
Set in Kolkata, the story moves between two very different worlds living under the same roof. On one side are Ralph and Ojas — an affluent couple in their thirties trying to navigate love, desire, and uncertainty. Ralph wants stability, something steady and certain. Ojas, however, wants openness — a relationship free from traditional expectations.
The book is not about loud conflict but a quiet unraveling: the fear of not being chosen, the ache of unsaid words, the tension between intimacy and loneliness.
The relationship between Ralph and Ojas feels intimate, flawed, and painfully real. The tenderness they share is undeniable, yet so is the restlessness. The novel portrays a queer relationship with sensitivity and honesty, allowing it to exist in all its complexity rather than limiting it to labels.
Another story is about Zubina, their Muslim house-help. She enters their apartment each day to cook and clean, observing their life — the way they both argue, the way they care, the way they touch. But witnessing their tenderness forces her to confront the emptiness in her own marriage. Though she has two children and a husband, Adil — whose quiet affection for her and their daughters adds a grounded contrast — she begins to question what love truly means in her own life?
Through Zubina, the novel brings different point of view of different class, faith, and gender — showing how emotional longing transcends social boundaries. Though Ralph and Zubina come from vastly different circumstances, both are burdened by words left unsaid. Both fight with the quiet confusion of their hearts.
What touched my heart most is the emotional intimacy of the writing. I found myself pausing often because the feelings felt so close to home — the fear of not being enough, the silence that stays between two people who love each other deeply . The story doesn’t shout; it seeps in and stays with you . It is quiet, layered, and deeply human.
Unfolding is ultimately about love in its most vulnerable form — its price, its fragility, and its capacity to unsettle.
February 11, 2026
unfolding by rahul singh
genre: lgbtq literary fiction
My 💭:
[11/2/26 8.05 PM]
Ahhh I am feeling the strangest urge to cry my heart out while hugging my parents and my loved ones, after reading this book. Author truly has a way with his words. 😭💯
I seem to be reading so much LGBTQ fiction in recent days and I couldn't be happier. Literary fiction books like this never fail to make me pause and take a quick check of my understanding of reality. The writing was sooo evocative and at times my eyes teared after reading a character emote. The ending didn't go quite as I had expected but it was very much understandable.
The story 'Unfolding' is a tale of love and how life often gets in the way. To me, Ralph seemed like the strongest person in the story - the person whose love was so vast that he agreed to open their relationship to respect his partner's wishes, even though his heart was breaking inside everyday. Imagine loving someone so much, with your whole being that you are willing to drain yourself daily mentally for their happiness, just to keep the feeling of 'peace' afloat in a relationship. And remember, this is a person who is already grappling with the loss of his mother. On the other hand, Ojas is a 39 year old man, still living in closet from his parents about his sexuality and unable to commit out of this mental boundary, he puts Ralph through so much trauma. Why is it that people are willing to hurt others to hell but avoid having a hard but open conversation with their parents? Why are Indian men so spineless?
On a parallel note, we see the life dynamics of Ralph's household help, Zubina, with her family of two daughters and her husband in a slum area. Even though she has been blindly living the life of a wife, mother, sister, friend and worker, she has somehow found something that she can hold onto with a blind faith. Despite the lack of awareness and knowledge, her family showed me how it is the willingness to nurture life together that makes love what love is truly. You can bend all the rules of this world for the ones you love.
.
The story puts both homosexual and heterosexual relationships on a parallel plane with love as the main character. And then, the author builds a bridge across the two in the most heartfelt way possible. Our society is built on so much heteronormative ideals and on top of that western cultures are diluting whatever is remaining in the depth of love! Honestly speaking, people like me and Ralph are not made for this era. I really hope that the decision Ralph took at the end works out for him. Maybe it will, because it's fiction.
genre: lgbtq literary fiction
My 💭:
[11/2/26 8.05 PM]
Ahhh I am feeling the strangest urge to cry my heart out while hugging my parents and my loved ones, after reading this book. Author truly has a way with his words. 😭💯
I seem to be reading so much LGBTQ fiction in recent days and I couldn't be happier. Literary fiction books like this never fail to make me pause and take a quick check of my understanding of reality. The writing was sooo evocative and at times my eyes teared after reading a character emote. The ending didn't go quite as I had expected but it was very much understandable.
The story 'Unfolding' is a tale of love and how life often gets in the way. To me, Ralph seemed like the strongest person in the story - the person whose love was so vast that he agreed to open their relationship to respect his partner's wishes, even though his heart was breaking inside everyday. Imagine loving someone so much, with your whole being that you are willing to drain yourself daily mentally for their happiness, just to keep the feeling of 'peace' afloat in a relationship. And remember, this is a person who is already grappling with the loss of his mother. On the other hand, Ojas is a 39 year old man, still living in closet from his parents about his sexuality and unable to commit out of this mental boundary, he puts Ralph through so much trauma. Why is it that people are willing to hurt others to hell but avoid having a hard but open conversation with their parents? Why are Indian men so spineless?
On a parallel note, we see the life dynamics of Ralph's household help, Zubina, with her family of two daughters and her husband in a slum area. Even though she has been blindly living the life of a wife, mother, sister, friend and worker, she has somehow found something that she can hold onto with a blind faith. Despite the lack of awareness and knowledge, her family showed me how it is the willingness to nurture life together that makes love what love is truly. You can bend all the rules of this world for the ones you love.
.
The story puts both homosexual and heterosexual relationships on a parallel plane with love as the main character. And then, the author builds a bridge across the two in the most heartfelt way possible. Our society is built on so much heteronormative ideals and on top of that western cultures are diluting whatever is remaining in the depth of love! Honestly speaking, people like me and Ralph are not made for this era. I really hope that the decision Ralph took at the end works out for him. Maybe it will, because it's fiction.
February 19, 2026
Rahul Singh’s Unfolding is not just another book but is a journey into selfdiscovery and purpose. It is a powerful exploration of love, desire, and identity in contemporary India.
The book examines how relationships both romantic and familial are shaped by class, gender, and social expectations. The author brings to life characters who are deeply human, caught between longing and restraint, hope and heartbreak.
The book is different in the way in which it speaks to everyday readers. Unfolding follows overlapping relationships that reveal the fragility of intimacy. The book brings out conjugal loneliness, contraband love, and the yearning for acceptance. What makes Unfolding stand out is its brave depiction of queer relationships in India, a subject not vey commonly addressed with such honesty and sensitivity. The characters are not idealized but are flawed, vulnerable, and relatable, which makes their struggles feel real. Ralph, Ojas, Zubina and Aadil each have their own thoughts about themselves and their partners. Zubinas curiousity about the relationship between Ojas and Ralph and her longing for a love like theirs was explained well .
Unfolding dives into the complexities of belonging and the invisible walls created by society. It shows how people cling to even the smallest hope to revive broken bonds, and how love can be both liberating and suffocating. Singh’s writing is lyrical, making the reader pause and reflect on their own definitions of love and identity.
The book stands out because of the way it blends personal stories, practical wisdom, and spiritual insights in a way that feels fresh and relatable. The author writes with honesty, making complex ideas simple. He shows that growth is not about sudden change but about small steps that slowly transform or unfold into something bigger. This makes the book accessible to anyone.
Because Unfolding is more than motivation rightly put as a mirror as it helps to pause, think, and see your own journey differently. The encourages readers to embrace their unique path, reminding us that purpose is not found overnight but revealed gradually.
The book is timely, bold, and deeply moving. If you are looking for a book that is inspiring yet practical, simple yet profound, and challenges conventions while touching your heart Unfolding deserves a place on your shelf. It is a guide to living with awareness, courage, and meaning. , Unfolding is a must read.
The book examines how relationships both romantic and familial are shaped by class, gender, and social expectations. The author brings to life characters who are deeply human, caught between longing and restraint, hope and heartbreak.
The book is different in the way in which it speaks to everyday readers. Unfolding follows overlapping relationships that reveal the fragility of intimacy. The book brings out conjugal loneliness, contraband love, and the yearning for acceptance. What makes Unfolding stand out is its brave depiction of queer relationships in India, a subject not vey commonly addressed with such honesty and sensitivity. The characters are not idealized but are flawed, vulnerable, and relatable, which makes their struggles feel real. Ralph, Ojas, Zubina and Aadil each have their own thoughts about themselves and their partners. Zubinas curiousity about the relationship between Ojas and Ralph and her longing for a love like theirs was explained well .
Unfolding dives into the complexities of belonging and the invisible walls created by society. It shows how people cling to even the smallest hope to revive broken bonds, and how love can be both liberating and suffocating. Singh’s writing is lyrical, making the reader pause and reflect on their own definitions of love and identity.
The book stands out because of the way it blends personal stories, practical wisdom, and spiritual insights in a way that feels fresh and relatable. The author writes with honesty, making complex ideas simple. He shows that growth is not about sudden change but about small steps that slowly transform or unfold into something bigger. This makes the book accessible to anyone.
Because Unfolding is more than motivation rightly put as a mirror as it helps to pause, think, and see your own journey differently. The encourages readers to embrace their unique path, reminding us that purpose is not found overnight but revealed gradually.
The book is timely, bold, and deeply moving. If you are looking for a book that is inspiring yet practical, simple yet profound, and challenges conventions while touching your heart Unfolding deserves a place on your shelf. It is a guide to living with awareness, courage, and meaning. , Unfolding is a must read.
February 21, 2026
"Unfolding" by Rahul Singh, set against the backdrop of 2019 Kolkata, tells the story of love and relationships. In the book,we have a queer couple trying to make sense of an open relationship; and a Muslim couple who are trying to survive day to day and provide for their children, who never knew what love is.
I just finished the book, and I can confidently say that it is going to be on the list of my favourite books of the year. The story is so well written and portrays every single frame in a very authentic manner. The exploration of the gay relationship through Ralph and Ojas is perfectly done and will stay with you for a long time. Both characters, with their views and expectations about relationships along with their personal struggles, will touch your heart. While Ralph is still hurting after losing his mother and keeps missing her, Ojas, even though he has a complete family of parents and siblings, still feels alone and is unable to express who he really is. Their miscommunication is not just mere misunderstanding; it is the suppression of many feelings, and you cannot put the blame on one person alone.
When Zubina, Ralph’s house help, accidentally sees them together, she begins to question her own life and longs for that intense love from her husband, Aadil. However, their circumstances, which forced them to become mature and responsible before their time, never allow them to experience it. Their survival story shows another side of life that many people try to ignore.
The author beautifully portrays love, the complexities of relationships, complex human emotions, and individual characteristics. The culture and ambience of different parts of Kolkata are also vividly depicted. It really surprised me to learn that this is the author’s debut novel, because not a single moment does it feel like one.
I highly recommend this book to every reader who wants to experience the true essence of love, which is breathtaking as well as heartbreaking at times.
"In those seconds, they realized how sequestered their lives were. How lonely their love was, having only each other to rely on."
I just finished the book, and I can confidently say that it is going to be on the list of my favourite books of the year. The story is so well written and portrays every single frame in a very authentic manner. The exploration of the gay relationship through Ralph and Ojas is perfectly done and will stay with you for a long time. Both characters, with their views and expectations about relationships along with their personal struggles, will touch your heart. While Ralph is still hurting after losing his mother and keeps missing her, Ojas, even though he has a complete family of parents and siblings, still feels alone and is unable to express who he really is. Their miscommunication is not just mere misunderstanding; it is the suppression of many feelings, and you cannot put the blame on one person alone.
When Zubina, Ralph’s house help, accidentally sees them together, she begins to question her own life and longs for that intense love from her husband, Aadil. However, their circumstances, which forced them to become mature and responsible before their time, never allow them to experience it. Their survival story shows another side of life that many people try to ignore.
The author beautifully portrays love, the complexities of relationships, complex human emotions, and individual characteristics. The culture and ambience of different parts of Kolkata are also vividly depicted. It really surprised me to learn that this is the author’s debut novel, because not a single moment does it feel like one.
I highly recommend this book to every reader who wants to experience the true essence of love, which is breathtaking as well as heartbreaking at times.
"In those seconds, they realized how sequestered their lives were. How lonely their love was, having only each other to rely on."
February 11, 2026
Quote:
"Some lives don’t break loudly, they unfold quietly, one unanswered question at a time."
Unfolding: A Novel by rahul Singh is one of those books that feels less like a story and more like an emotional experience. I went into it expecting a relationship-based narrative, but what I found was a deeply reflective exploration of longing, silence, and the quiet questions people carry within themselves.
The novel places Ralph and Zubina side by side two lives separated by class, comfort, and circumstance, yet connected through the same inner unrest. Ralph struggles with the uncertainty of a relationship that refuses to define itself, while Zubina, a mother and wife, begins to re-examine the meaning of marriage after witnessing a moment of love that feels unfamiliar to her own life. Their journeys unfold gently, without drama, making their emotions feel real and painfully relatable.
What I truly admired was Rahul Singh’s sensitivity as a storyteller. He writes with compassion, allowing his characters to exist in their confusion withoutz without rushing them toward answers. The city of Kolkata quietly frames the narrative, adding depth and contrast to both worlds privilege and survivalwhile never overpowering the human emotions at its core. The novel speaks about love not as an ideal, but as a responsibility, a desire, and sometimes a difficult compromise.
Unfolding stays with you because it asks important questions without offering easy resolutions. It reflects on what it means to stay, to leave, and to hope for something unnamed. As someone who deeply values books that capture emotional truth, I found this novel honest, restrained, and profoundly moving. It is a thoughtful debut that trusts the reader’s heart and invites them to reflect on their own definitions of love and belonging.
"Some lives don’t break loudly, they unfold quietly, one unanswered question at a time."
Unfolding: A Novel by rahul Singh is one of those books that feels less like a story and more like an emotional experience. I went into it expecting a relationship-based narrative, but what I found was a deeply reflective exploration of longing, silence, and the quiet questions people carry within themselves.
The novel places Ralph and Zubina side by side two lives separated by class, comfort, and circumstance, yet connected through the same inner unrest. Ralph struggles with the uncertainty of a relationship that refuses to define itself, while Zubina, a mother and wife, begins to re-examine the meaning of marriage after witnessing a moment of love that feels unfamiliar to her own life. Their journeys unfold gently, without drama, making their emotions feel real and painfully relatable.
What I truly admired was Rahul Singh’s sensitivity as a storyteller. He writes with compassion, allowing his characters to exist in their confusion withoutz without rushing them toward answers. The city of Kolkata quietly frames the narrative, adding depth and contrast to both worlds privilege and survivalwhile never overpowering the human emotions at its core. The novel speaks about love not as an ideal, but as a responsibility, a desire, and sometimes a difficult compromise.
Unfolding stays with you because it asks important questions without offering easy resolutions. It reflects on what it means to stay, to leave, and to hope for something unnamed. As someone who deeply values books that capture emotional truth, I found this novel honest, restrained, and profoundly moving. It is a thoughtful debut that trusts the reader’s heart and invites them to reflect on their own definitions of love and belonging.
February 20, 2026
"Silence was important to him. It ensured his life was comfortable, peaceful rather. He chose to stay silent to stave off conflicts that knew no end"
.
With gritty narration and open truths, Unfolding is a book that definitely blends reality with fiction really well. Told in multiple povs, following characters from different stages of life and love this book catches your attention with its raw and honest story telling.
.
It follows our two sets of characters:
1. Ralph & Ojas , a queer couple going through tribulations on what they view as commitment, love and being partners..
2. Zubina & Aadil, a married couple with kids struggling with their identity, circumstances and their view on life vs. love
The contrast of life between the two couples offers a great balance to the story. While Ralph & Ojas struggles with their personal definition of love, Zubina & Aadil struggles with the concept of love itself. I found the innocent remarks Zubina makes while working for Ralph & Ojas really powerful and it definitely makes you think about the mindset our society has when it comes to queer relationships. The writing was really honest, easy to read and hard hitting, and while the story deals with difficult emotions, it comes across well on page. While I had some issues with the ending and how the couples resolved (or not) their issues, I think it resembles reality so much that I could accept that ending as well.
.
Overall, a very powerful narrative on queer relationships, the strained family dynamics, being secretive about your love, body image and self confidence issues, messy relationship drama, societal pressures when it comes to always being on trend, then this book is a must read!!
.
.
Thank you so much @bookreviewersclub @@harpercollinsin for the gorgeous copy!!
.
With gritty narration and open truths, Unfolding is a book that definitely blends reality with fiction really well. Told in multiple povs, following characters from different stages of life and love this book catches your attention with its raw and honest story telling.
.
It follows our two sets of characters:
1. Ralph & Ojas , a queer couple going through tribulations on what they view as commitment, love and being partners..
2. Zubina & Aadil, a married couple with kids struggling with their identity, circumstances and their view on life vs. love
The contrast of life between the two couples offers a great balance to the story. While Ralph & Ojas struggles with their personal definition of love, Zubina & Aadil struggles with the concept of love itself. I found the innocent remarks Zubina makes while working for Ralph & Ojas really powerful and it definitely makes you think about the mindset our society has when it comes to queer relationships. The writing was really honest, easy to read and hard hitting, and while the story deals with difficult emotions, it comes across well on page. While I had some issues with the ending and how the couples resolved (or not) their issues, I think it resembles reality so much that I could accept that ending as well.
.
Overall, a very powerful narrative on queer relationships, the strained family dynamics, being secretive about your love, body image and self confidence issues, messy relationship drama, societal pressures when it comes to always being on trend, then this book is a must read!!
.
.
Thank you so much @bookreviewersclub @@harpercollinsin for the gorgeous copy!!
February 25, 2026
Unfolding: A Novel by Rahul Singh is a tender, quietly powerful book that I read slowly, letting every emotion sink in. From the very first pages, it felt intimate like peeking into lives that are usually hidden behind routine, silence, and compromise.
The story brings together Ralph and Zubina, two people from entirely different worlds in Kolkata, yet bound by the same emotional unease. Ralph longs for stability and reassurance in love, while Ojas believes in freedom and openness. Zubina, a working-class Muslim mother, begins to question her own marriage after witnessing a moment of tenderness that feels foreign to her life. What moved me deeply was how the book shows that longing doesn’t belong to one class, one gender, or one kind of relationship, it lives quietly in everyone.
Author’s writing is gentle and observant. He allows silences to speak, unfinished conversations to ache, and inner conflicts to breathe. The novel talks about love not as a perfect promise, but as a complicated, sometimes painful journey shaped by choices, fear, and courage. Zubina’s inner awakening is especially touching, there is strength in her questioning, even when answers are uncertain.
This book is about emotional honesty, about the weight of unsaid words, and about waiting, waiting for clarity, for courage, for a version of life that feels true. As a reader who loves books that reflect real emotions and human fragility, it trusts the reader to sit with discomfort and find their own understanding. A beautiful debut that reminds us how deeply personal and fragile the idea of love can be.
The story brings together Ralph and Zubina, two people from entirely different worlds in Kolkata, yet bound by the same emotional unease. Ralph longs for stability and reassurance in love, while Ojas believes in freedom and openness. Zubina, a working-class Muslim mother, begins to question her own marriage after witnessing a moment of tenderness that feels foreign to her life. What moved me deeply was how the book shows that longing doesn’t belong to one class, one gender, or one kind of relationship, it lives quietly in everyone.
Author’s writing is gentle and observant. He allows silences to speak, unfinished conversations to ache, and inner conflicts to breathe. The novel talks about love not as a perfect promise, but as a complicated, sometimes painful journey shaped by choices, fear, and courage. Zubina’s inner awakening is especially touching, there is strength in her questioning, even when answers are uncertain.
This book is about emotional honesty, about the weight of unsaid words, and about waiting, waiting for clarity, for courage, for a version of life that feels true. As a reader who loves books that reflect real emotions and human fragility, it trusts the reader to sit with discomfort and find their own understanding. A beautiful debut that reminds us how deeply personal and fragile the idea of love can be.
February 12, 2026
" It's not that he didn't want to fall in love-he had even considered the possibility of it-but he had never found a free hour to pursue it."
[ An abstract from the book ]
In the book Ralph who is in his thirties wants a long-term relationship but his co-partner Ojas has other plans and he wants to keep it secret. Story also introduced readers to Zubina who is Ralph's house-help and she is in a crisis of her own. Once she enters and sees Ralph and Ojas sharing a moment of tenderness, she begins to question her own marriage.
What I loved reading in this book -
. There are only few books that stays with you even after you finish reading them and this is one such book that stays with readers for a long time. This will make you pause and think, that's the beauty of good writing.
. This book explores a topic which is much needed that is contemporary queer relationships in India.
. Zubina's quest to understand the foundations of her own married life makes the book even more interesting.
. Book portrays two relationships which are burdened by words that has never been said.
. And yes, I should appreciate the eye-appealing beautiful cover of the book which is soft but speaks volume too.
"She spent the night going over all the prayers she knew to
absolve herself of this sin, so her wrong-doings wouldn't seep into the life that awaited her. Many times, she broke down but her cheeks remained dry. She knew she was crying but there were no tears to show."
[An abstract from the book]
[ An abstract from the book ]
In the book Ralph who is in his thirties wants a long-term relationship but his co-partner Ojas has other plans and he wants to keep it secret. Story also introduced readers to Zubina who is Ralph's house-help and she is in a crisis of her own. Once she enters and sees Ralph and Ojas sharing a moment of tenderness, she begins to question her own marriage.
What I loved reading in this book -
. There are only few books that stays with you even after you finish reading them and this is one such book that stays with readers for a long time. This will make you pause and think, that's the beauty of good writing.
. This book explores a topic which is much needed that is contemporary queer relationships in India.
. Zubina's quest to understand the foundations of her own married life makes the book even more interesting.
. Book portrays two relationships which are burdened by words that has never been said.
. And yes, I should appreciate the eye-appealing beautiful cover of the book which is soft but speaks volume too.
"She spent the night going over all the prayers she knew to
absolve herself of this sin, so her wrong-doings wouldn't seep into the life that awaited her. Many times, she broke down but her cheeks remained dry. She knew she was crying but there were no tears to show."
[An abstract from the book]
February 16, 2026
Most of the time, I pick up a book because the cover pulls me in, and Unfolding did exactly that. I also realised I haven’t read many queer stories set in India, so there was instant curiosity about where this one would take me (and honestly, I wanted to sit with something different).
This is a very quiet book, but don’t mistake quiet for simple. The story moves between Ralph and Ojas, a couple trying to hold onto love while wanting very different things, and Zubina, their house-help, who is silently watching their world while questioning her own. What stayed with me ( I think I should say struck with me) the most was how much is left unsaid. All those conversations that never happen, emotions that sit heavily in the room, and love that exists but feels incomplete. All of these felt painfully real.
Ralph’s longing for stability and Ojas’s desire for openness made me uncomfortable in the best way, because there is no villain here. Just people wanting different versions of happiness. And then there is Zubina. Her presence stayed with me long after I closed the book. The way she witnesses tenderness and starts rethinking her own marriage felt so raw and honest (there were moments I had to pause and just breathe).
This book doesn’t spoon-feed emotions. It trusts you to feel them. It made me think about love, class, choice, and how sometimes restlessness looks the same, no matter where you come from. Subtle, layered, and deeply human, this one quietly settles in your heart and refuses to leave.
This is a very quiet book, but don’t mistake quiet for simple. The story moves between Ralph and Ojas, a couple trying to hold onto love while wanting very different things, and Zubina, their house-help, who is silently watching their world while questioning her own. What stayed with me ( I think I should say struck with me) the most was how much is left unsaid. All those conversations that never happen, emotions that sit heavily in the room, and love that exists but feels incomplete. All of these felt painfully real.
Ralph’s longing for stability and Ojas’s desire for openness made me uncomfortable in the best way, because there is no villain here. Just people wanting different versions of happiness. And then there is Zubina. Her presence stayed with me long after I closed the book. The way she witnesses tenderness and starts rethinking her own marriage felt so raw and honest (there were moments I had to pause and just breathe).
This book doesn’t spoon-feed emotions. It trusts you to feel them. It made me think about love, class, choice, and how sometimes restlessness looks the same, no matter where you come from. Subtle, layered, and deeply human, this one quietly settles in your heart and refuses to leave.
February 9, 2026
𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"She would ask Ralph someday if presence meant love, if the idea of someone always being there was love."
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
I love reading love stories, and this book has been receiving a lot of praise in my immediate reader circle, which made me particularly intrigued. Also, the author is from my city, so I couldn’t help but pick it up.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
This is one of the most subtle yet prettiest book covers I own. The colour palette is soothing and perfectly complements the overall vibe of the story.
𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧:
✓ The story revolves around Ralph and Ojas, a queer couple navigating their preferences and complexities within their relationship. At the same time, there’s an interconnected subplot focusing on their househelp, Zubina, who begins questioning her own married life.
✓ I loved the character portrayal. The author offers a lens into two very distinct sections of society, helping us see things from a broader perspective.
✓ The storytelling genuinely deserves appreciation. Rahul clearly has a knack for narration and should definitely write more.
✓ The scenarios feel realistic and the emotions deeply relatable. The writing comes across as candid and raw.
✓ I truly enjoyed this book. Ever finished a story and just stared at the wall, lost in thought? This was one of those experiences for me.
February 23, 2026
Unfolding by Rahul Singh is a quietly powerful novel that explores the many layers of love, identity, and emotional vulnerability. Set in Kolkata, the story revolves around Ralph and Ojas, whose relationship feels deeply real and filled with moments of connection, distance and unspoken tension. The narrative does not rely on dramatic events but instead captures the subtle complexities of everyday relationships, making it both relatable and thought-provoking.
The author beautifully portrays how love is not always simple or perfect. It can be confusing, fragile, and sometimes even painful. The writing style is gentle yet impactful, allowing readers to pause and reflect on their own understanding of relationships and emotional needs. The story unfolds gradually, revealing different shades of love without forcing conclusions.
What truly adds depth to the novel is the parallel story of Zubina. Her character stands out for her quiet strength and resilience, offering a contrasting yet equally meaningful perspective on love and life. Sarvesh also leaves a strong impression with his sincerity and emotional depth.
Overall, Unfolding is a deeply human story that lingers with the reader. It reminds us that love does not always need to be loud or grand, it can exist in silence, in routine and in the spaces in between.
The author beautifully portrays how love is not always simple or perfect. It can be confusing, fragile, and sometimes even painful. The writing style is gentle yet impactful, allowing readers to pause and reflect on their own understanding of relationships and emotional needs. The story unfolds gradually, revealing different shades of love without forcing conclusions.
What truly adds depth to the novel is the parallel story of Zubina. Her character stands out for her quiet strength and resilience, offering a contrasting yet equally meaningful perspective on love and life. Sarvesh also leaves a strong impression with his sincerity and emotional depth.
Overall, Unfolding is a deeply human story that lingers with the reader. It reminds us that love does not always need to be loud or grand, it can exist in silence, in routine and in the spaces in between.
February 16, 2026
Have you ever read a book that hurts so quietly, you don’t even realize how deep it’s gone until your chest feels heavy?
Unfolding by Rahul Singh is one of those rare, heartbreaking reads that stays with you long after the last page. As a debut, it’s genuinely impressive, tender, honest, and emotionally raw in a way that doesn’t feel forced. You can tell the author wasn’t trying to impress; he was trying to tell the truth. And that’s what makes it hurt.
This book doesn’t rush your feelings. It unfolds slowly, layer by layer, letting you sit with the characters as they stumble, break, and try to hold themselves together. Their pain feels intimate. You don’t just read about their struggles you ache with them. There were moments where I had to pause, not because the writing was heavy handed, but because it was too real.
What struck me most was how human everything felt. The silences, the misunderstandings, the unspoken love and regret it all mirrors real life in a painfully familiar way. By the end, I felt emotionally drained, but in the best sense.
Unfolding is a strong, moving debut, and honestly, Rahul Sing is now an author I’ll automatically pick up again. Whatever he writes next I’m in.
Unfolding by Rahul Singh is one of those rare, heartbreaking reads that stays with you long after the last page. As a debut, it’s genuinely impressive, tender, honest, and emotionally raw in a way that doesn’t feel forced. You can tell the author wasn’t trying to impress; he was trying to tell the truth. And that’s what makes it hurt.
This book doesn’t rush your feelings. It unfolds slowly, layer by layer, letting you sit with the characters as they stumble, break, and try to hold themselves together. Their pain feels intimate. You don’t just read about their struggles you ache with them. There were moments where I had to pause, not because the writing was heavy handed, but because it was too real.
What struck me most was how human everything felt. The silences, the misunderstandings, the unspoken love and regret it all mirrors real life in a painfully familiar way. By the end, I felt emotionally drained, but in the best sense.
Unfolding is a strong, moving debut, and honestly, Rahul Sing is now an author I’ll automatically pick up again. Whatever he writes next I’m in.
February 17, 2026
Reading Unfolding left me quietly stunned.
This isn’t a loud, dramatic novel. It moves softly almost hesitantly but every page feels emotionally charged. Ralph wants stability. Ojas wants freedom. That tension alone had me hooked. The way their relationship wrestles with love, openness, fear, and unspoken expectations feels painfully real.
But what truly elevated this book for me is Zubina’s parallel story. A working-class Muslim mother questioning her own marriage after witnessing a kind of tenderness she has never known, that contrast hit deep. Two completely different worlds in Kolkata. Two relationships shaped by silence. And the same restless ache underneath.
The writing feels intimate, almost intrusive in the best way. You sit inside their doubts. Their pauses. Their unsaid words. It explores queerness, class, marriage, and longing with such restraint that the emotions sneak up on you.
What I loved most is how the novel doesn’t offer easy answers. It simply holds space for uncertainty, for love that doesn’t fit neat definitions.
This debut feels brave, layered, and deeply human. It unfolds slowly… and then suddenly, you realize it has unfolded you too.
This isn’t a loud, dramatic novel. It moves softly almost hesitantly but every page feels emotionally charged. Ralph wants stability. Ojas wants freedom. That tension alone had me hooked. The way their relationship wrestles with love, openness, fear, and unspoken expectations feels painfully real.
But what truly elevated this book for me is Zubina’s parallel story. A working-class Muslim mother questioning her own marriage after witnessing a kind of tenderness she has never known, that contrast hit deep. Two completely different worlds in Kolkata. Two relationships shaped by silence. And the same restless ache underneath.
The writing feels intimate, almost intrusive in the best way. You sit inside their doubts. Their pauses. Their unsaid words. It explores queerness, class, marriage, and longing with such restraint that the emotions sneak up on you.
What I loved most is how the novel doesn’t offer easy answers. It simply holds space for uncertainty, for love that doesn’t fit neat definitions.
This debut feels brave, layered, and deeply human. It unfolds slowly… and then suddenly, you realize it has unfolded you too.
February 12, 2026
Unfolding by Rahul Singh is a quietly powerful debut novel that intertwines two seemingly unconnected lives in contemporary Kolkata to explore love, longing, and the many forms of commitment. At the heart of the story is Ralph, a man in his thirties yearning for a steady partnership, and his partner, Ojas, who prefers an open-ended relationship. Their emotional tensions and unspoken desires form one strand of the narrative, revealing how even well-intentioned affection can falter when desires diverge. Parallel to their story is Zubina, a working-class Muslim mother whose life is shaken after she witnesses a tender moment between Ralph and Ojas. Her own marriage long on routine but short on connection suddenly feels fragile and uncertain.
Singh’s writing is empathetic and observant, drawing out subtle parallels between class, faith, and love without overt melodrama. The novel doesn’t rush to tidy conclusions; instead, it lets the characters’ quiet questions about presence, commitment, and home unfold with thoughtfulness. Readers seeking literary fiction that probes the emotional complexities of modern relationships will find Unfolding a compelling and reflective read.
Singh’s writing is empathetic and observant, drawing out subtle parallels between class, faith, and love without overt melodrama. The novel doesn’t rush to tidy conclusions; instead, it lets the characters’ quiet questions about presence, commitment, and home unfold with thoughtfulness. Readers seeking literary fiction that probes the emotional complexities of modern relationships will find Unfolding a compelling and reflective read.
February 20, 2026
I finished reading Unfolding and it feels like a mirror to every complicated relationship I have ever seen. The story follows Ralph and Ojas who live a comfortable life in Kolkata but are drifting apart emotionally. Ralph wants a deep and exclusive commitment while Ojas pushes for an open relationship that tests their boundaries. It is a raw look at how two people can love each other but still want completely different things from life.
The book gets even deeper when we see the world through Zubina who works in their home. As a Muslim woman from a struggling background her perspective on their lives is fascinating. She notices the affection between the two men and starts questioning her own marriage which lacks that spark. Seeing these two very different worlds collide makes you realize that longing for connection is universal regardless of who you are.
This novel is special because it moves past the typical coming out story to show the actual work of staying together. It explores how money and social status change the way we experience heartbreak. If you want a story that is honest about modern queer life and the messy reality of domesticity you should definitely pick this.
The book gets even deeper when we see the world through Zubina who works in their home. As a Muslim woman from a struggling background her perspective on their lives is fascinating. She notices the affection between the two men and starts questioning her own marriage which lacks that spark. Seeing these two very different worlds collide makes you realize that longing for connection is universal regardless of who you are.
This novel is special because it moves past the typical coming out story to show the actual work of staying together. It explores how money and social status change the way we experience heartbreak. If you want a story that is honest about modern queer life and the messy reality of domesticity you should definitely pick this.
February 21, 2026
'Unfolding' by Rahul Singh starts with the story of Ralph and Ojas, a queer couple from Kolkata. Both the characters are flawed but real. Ojas and Ralph's relationship has their own issues and complexities, which adds a layer to the story. On the other hand there is Zubina, their house help. Zubina is a walking class Muslim lady who lives in the neighbourhood slum.
The story flows smoothly. The pain of untold words can be felt throughout the book. Ojas and Ralph's imperfect relationship is the essence of the book.
"In Zubina's eyes, Ralph and Ojas had grown rather friendly. Zubina was glad to see that whatever it was that had divided them was now no longer an impediment. She managed to smile at them. She ignored the rising feeling that told her that they were more than friends. Friends did not behave this way. She had enough friends to be sure of this." I felt so happy and calm while reading these lines.
Ralph, Ojas and Zubina's lives unfold slowly throughout the book. The story and the layered characters are going to stay with me for a long time.
The story flows smoothly. The pain of untold words can be felt throughout the book. Ojas and Ralph's imperfect relationship is the essence of the book.
"In Zubina's eyes, Ralph and Ojas had grown rather friendly. Zubina was glad to see that whatever it was that had divided them was now no longer an impediment. She managed to smile at them. She ignored the rising feeling that told her that they were more than friends. Friends did not behave this way. She had enough friends to be sure of this." I felt so happy and calm while reading these lines.
Ralph, Ojas and Zubina's lives unfold slowly throughout the book. The story and the layered characters are going to stay with me for a long time.
February 25, 2026
Can't believe how rare queer Indian books are so I am glad to have this one.
• Picked up Unfolding thinking it would be a quiet, introspective read, safe to say I was not prepared to feel personally attacked in the best possible way. This book doesn’t just is more show than tell, it talks about vulnerability emotional openness, the whole deal.
• What I loved most is how tender and real the book felt. The relationship was what had me. The dynamic is messy, soft, complicated, and beautiful. There were moments that made me pause and just stare at the page, and others where I smiled because I recognized that exact awkward, fluttery feeling of liking someone a little too much......
• This is an overwhelmingly intimate book which is also thoughtful without being preachy. And very very reflective.
• I finished in less than a day because of 'reasons'. That's how good this book was not gonna lie.
If you enjoy stories that are gentle yet quietly powerful and if you like listening to queer voices and queer stories then this is the book for you.
• Picked up Unfolding thinking it would be a quiet, introspective read, safe to say I was not prepared to feel personally attacked in the best possible way. This book doesn’t just is more show than tell, it talks about vulnerability emotional openness, the whole deal.
• What I loved most is how tender and real the book felt. The relationship was what had me. The dynamic is messy, soft, complicated, and beautiful. There were moments that made me pause and just stare at the page, and others where I smiled because I recognized that exact awkward, fluttery feeling of liking someone a little too much......
• This is an overwhelmingly intimate book which is also thoughtful without being preachy. And very very reflective.
• I finished in less than a day because of 'reasons'. That's how good this book was not gonna lie.
If you enjoy stories that are gentle yet quietly powerful and if you like listening to queer voices and queer stories then this is the book for you.
February 26, 2026
Nothing great/memorable happens. Just a plain series of events.
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