What do you think?
Rate this book
Super: A Novel
What does it mean to chase a dream across oceans, only to find its edges fraying on arrival?
When Sukhpreet Gill thinks of Canada, he imagines a future of promise and prosperity, a life of sprawling townhouses and easy money. It is a vision that propels him to mortgage family land, leave Jalandhar and the girl he loves, and make his way to a country that isn't ready to accept him.
On the other side of the world, Maynard Wilson is coming to terms with a nation that has nothing left to offer Canadians like him. Unemployed, with maxed-out credit cards and no savings, he risks being evicted from his rented apartment. When his path intersects with Sukhpreet's, the collision has terrible consequences.
Tender and heartfelt, award-winning writer Lindsay Pereira's most ambitious novel yet is an unforgettable exploration of immigration, identity, and the intense yearning for a better life - along with the often-devastating cost that comes with it.
When Sukhpreet Gill thinks of Canada, he imagines a future of promise and prosperity, a life of sprawling townhouses and easy money. It is a vision that propels him to mortgage family land, leave Jalandhar and the girl he loves, and make his way to a country that isn't ready to accept him.
On the other side of the world, Maynard Wilson is coming to terms with a nation that has nothing left to offer Canadians like him. Unemployed, with maxed-out credit cards and no savings, he risks being evicted from his rented apartment. When his path intersects with Sukhpreet's, the collision has terrible consequences.
Tender and heartfelt, award-winning writer Lindsay Pereira's most ambitious novel yet is an unforgettable exploration of immigration, identity, and the intense yearning for a better life - along with the often-devastating cost that comes with it.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 18, 2026
Very moving and powerful but also not surprising because I have read everything this author has published.Felt like a departure from earlier work but I loved the way it all came together.
April 16, 2026
4.5⭐️
Whose story is this? Is it Sukhpreet Gill’s — like many young men from the villages and towns of Punjab chasing the Canadian dream? Leaving behind their pind, family, love, mortgaging their fields and land for the hope of a better life? Or is it the story of residents like Maynard Wilson, dealing with unemployment in the wake of this migration — disappointed in their nation, in its systems?
The system that forces you to leave because there’s nothing left to hold on to. Or the one that invites new people in without first taking care of those already there. And what happens when these two collide?
I usually begin my reviews with what the book is about. But this one left me with more questions than answers — just as Sukhi himself says at one point.
At its heart, the book explores the Canadian dream, immigrant life, blue-collar work and minimum wages, and the deep-rooted obsession with going abroad in Punjab — along with the loneliness of living away from family, where you don’t even have the luxury to sit with your feelings because every hour is tied to survival.
The idea of finally taking udaariyan is so widespread that you don’t need to be from Punjab to have heard of it — almost an obsession at this point. But the reality is rarely spoken about. Much of this obsession is fed by the glamorous life sold through Punjabi songs through flashy cars, big houses, and promises that rarely match reality.
The story moves between Jalandhar and Toronto, unfolding over four years. It begins with Sukhi’s arrival in Jalandhar from his village and his chance meeting with Harneet. Their bond is explored with a quiet slowness and tenderness that stays with you. Harneet, especially, is a character I wanted to know more about — someone shaped by the same expectations of moving abroad, whether through marriage or, if fortunate, through education. The chapters about Maynard were the most uncomfortable for me, carrying a disturbingly familiar anger and entitlement that’s hard to sit with.
This isn’t a book that resolves itself. The questions sit with you, layered between scenes and silences. Lindsay Pereira doesn’t soften anything — not even the innermost thoughts — and you’re often left wondering: what kind of world are we living in, and who is this system really fair for?
In under 200 pages, it leaves behind something unsettling — almost haunting.
A book I’d strongly recommend if you’re okay sitting with discomfort and difficult questions.
Whose story is this? Is it Sukhpreet Gill’s — like many young men from the villages and towns of Punjab chasing the Canadian dream? Leaving behind their pind, family, love, mortgaging their fields and land for the hope of a better life? Or is it the story of residents like Maynard Wilson, dealing with unemployment in the wake of this migration — disappointed in their nation, in its systems?
The system that forces you to leave because there’s nothing left to hold on to. Or the one that invites new people in without first taking care of those already there. And what happens when these two collide?
I usually begin my reviews with what the book is about. But this one left me with more questions than answers — just as Sukhi himself says at one point.
At its heart, the book explores the Canadian dream, immigrant life, blue-collar work and minimum wages, and the deep-rooted obsession with going abroad in Punjab — along with the loneliness of living away from family, where you don’t even have the luxury to sit with your feelings because every hour is tied to survival.
The idea of finally taking udaariyan is so widespread that you don’t need to be from Punjab to have heard of it — almost an obsession at this point. But the reality is rarely spoken about. Much of this obsession is fed by the glamorous life sold through Punjabi songs through flashy cars, big houses, and promises that rarely match reality.
The story moves between Jalandhar and Toronto, unfolding over four years. It begins with Sukhi’s arrival in Jalandhar from his village and his chance meeting with Harneet. Their bond is explored with a quiet slowness and tenderness that stays with you. Harneet, especially, is a character I wanted to know more about — someone shaped by the same expectations of moving abroad, whether through marriage or, if fortunate, through education. The chapters about Maynard were the most uncomfortable for me, carrying a disturbingly familiar anger and entitlement that’s hard to sit with.
This isn’t a book that resolves itself. The questions sit with you, layered between scenes and silences. Lindsay Pereira doesn’t soften anything — not even the innermost thoughts — and you’re often left wondering: what kind of world are we living in, and who is this system really fair for?
In under 200 pages, it leaves behind something unsettling — almost haunting.
A book I’d strongly recommend if you’re okay sitting with discomfort and difficult questions.
April 4, 2026
The heart of the story lies in the massive gap between the "Canada dreams" sold in Punjab and the cold reality of landing there with nothing.
Sukhpreet Gill is a typical young man from Jalandhar who feels stuck. To secure his future, his family makes the ultimate sacrifice by mortgaging their ancestral land to pay for his visa and travel. He arrives in Canada expecting a life of luxury and quick success, but he quickly realizes he is just another face in a system that doesn't care about him.
Parallel to this, we meet Maynard Wilson, a local Canadian man living on the margins of society. He is struggling with unemployment and the constant threat of being kicked out of his home.
As Sukhpreet’s optimism turns into desperation and Maynard’s frustration reaches a breaking point, their paths cross. The plot moves toward a tense and inevitable collision that questions whether the "Super" life promised to immigrants actually exists, or if it is just a well-packaged lie that ends in tragedy.
Sukhpreet Gill is a typical young man from Jalandhar who feels stuck. To secure his future, his family makes the ultimate sacrifice by mortgaging their ancestral land to pay for his visa and travel. He arrives in Canada expecting a life of luxury and quick success, but he quickly realizes he is just another face in a system that doesn't care about him.
Parallel to this, we meet Maynard Wilson, a local Canadian man living on the margins of society. He is struggling with unemployment and the constant threat of being kicked out of his home.
As Sukhpreet’s optimism turns into desperation and Maynard’s frustration reaches a breaking point, their paths cross. The plot moves toward a tense and inevitable collision that questions whether the "Super" life promised to immigrants actually exists, or if it is just a well-packaged lie that ends in tragedy.
March 30, 2026
Some dreams look so good from far away. Sukhpreet sees Canada like that—big houses, easy money, a life that shines. He sells family land, leaves his girl, and goes across the world to grab it. But when he gets there, the country doesn’t want him. The promise starts falling apart the moment he lands.
Maynard is already there, and Canada has nothing for him either. No job, no savings, just bills piling up and the fear of losing his apartment. He is a Canadian, but his own country feels empty. Two men from different worlds, both reaching for something that keeps slipping away. And when their lives cross, it ends badly. Not in a movie way, but in the quiet, terrible way real life does.
This book does not give you easy answers. It shows you how wanting something so badly can cost you everything. It shows you that the dream of a better life is not the same for everyone. Some chase it across oceans. Some lose it in their own backyard. The writing stays with you because it feels true. You feel the weight of what Sukhpreet left behind and what he finds instead. You feel Maynard’s tiredness, his quiet hopelessness.
It made me think about what we do for a future that might never come. And how sometimes the biggest risk is not failing, it is getting what you thought you wanted and finding it empty. Read this if you want a story that stays. Not with a bang, but with a slow ache you cannot shake.
Maynard is already there, and Canada has nothing for him either. No job, no savings, just bills piling up and the fear of losing his apartment. He is a Canadian, but his own country feels empty. Two men from different worlds, both reaching for something that keeps slipping away. And when their lives cross, it ends badly. Not in a movie way, but in the quiet, terrible way real life does.
This book does not give you easy answers. It shows you how wanting something so badly can cost you everything. It shows you that the dream of a better life is not the same for everyone. Some chase it across oceans. Some lose it in their own backyard. The writing stays with you because it feels true. You feel the weight of what Sukhpreet left behind and what he finds instead. You feel Maynard’s tiredness, his quiet hopelessness.
It made me think about what we do for a future that might never come. And how sometimes the biggest risk is not failing, it is getting what you thought you wanted and finding it empty. Read this if you want a story that stays. Not with a bang, but with a slow ache you cannot shake.
March 26, 2026
Being from Punjab, I can understand this situation quite clearly.The craze among Punjabis for Canada is truly unmatched, and it's no longer just a trend it's become a full blown social phenomenon. For Punjab's youth and families, going there is the dream of a better future and lifestyle.
The situation is clearly explained in the novel
"Super" by Lindsay Pereira a heartfelt novel that takes you on an emotional ride through the story of Sukhpreet Gill, a young man from Jalandhar, India, who mortgages family land to pursue a dream of a better life in Canada.
The book shows his excitement turning into shock as he faces loneliness, hard work, and broken promises.
The novel is deeply moving, with simple yet powerful writing that paints vivid pictures of hope, struggle, and the tough realities of migration.
The novel is hard to put down because the words flow like a conversation, pulling directly into the characters heart , story feel real and close, especially for anyone who's moved away from home.
The book Super,It doesn't question migration itself, but the glamorous stories we tell about it, which are not true sometimes.
That's why this book is important to read. Before you chase a dream, it's smart to first understand its darker side the risks, doubts, or hidden costs that come with it.
The situation is clearly explained in the novel
"Super" by Lindsay Pereira a heartfelt novel that takes you on an emotional ride through the story of Sukhpreet Gill, a young man from Jalandhar, India, who mortgages family land to pursue a dream of a better life in Canada.
The book shows his excitement turning into shock as he faces loneliness, hard work, and broken promises.
The novel is deeply moving, with simple yet powerful writing that paints vivid pictures of hope, struggle, and the tough realities of migration.
The novel is hard to put down because the words flow like a conversation, pulling directly into the characters heart , story feel real and close, especially for anyone who's moved away from home.
The book Super,It doesn't question migration itself, but the glamorous stories we tell about it, which are not true sometimes.
That's why this book is important to read. Before you chase a dream, it's smart to first understand its darker side the risks, doubts, or hidden costs that come with it.
April 6, 2026
“He should have outgrown such visions, now that he had seen these streets and knew what went into the maintenance of these buildings.”
- Lindsay Pereira, Super
Sukhpreet Gill, an immigrant from Chukhiara, is employed in a housing society office as a cleaner. The visuals in the rural part of Brampton reminded him of the sights and smells in his village. Maybe it was his father's face covered with shrouds, or his mother working hard to procure water for the family.
In another part of the same world, Maynard Wilson, an unemployed individual is grappling with issues that had arose due to increase in the immigrant population.
”All he wanted was to talk about immigration. Everywhere he looked, there were Asians taking up jobs once reserved for working-class Canadians”
Lindsay Pereira’s prose is haunting as well as unsettling. He describes the horrors of being a brown immigrant in a first-world country. It was smart on Pereira’s part to depict the problems of the Indian diaspora in Canada through Gill, who did odd jobs. The book is narrated from multiple POVs of the characters whose stories are as relatable as they can get. For instance, Gill's ladylove, Harneet Kaur, is also given space to breathe, because she hailed from a locality that crippled girls who spoke while making eye contact with their elders. The common denominator between them was the shared fate about how elders and relatives dictated their life choices.
”What they shared, he realized, was a sadness for something neither could define, a feeling of loss for an idea they couldn't articulate.”
The flashbacks, which are mostly set in Jalandhar, give context to his thinking process and how it moulded the person he became after he left home for greener pastures.
Wilson's POV made me uncomfortable and made me contemplate how hate crime take roots in the minds of any country's citizens.
Super by Lindsay Pereira is a haunting exploration of how immigrant lives' come at a cost of leaving their humble abode for greener pastures. The dreams and aspirations of a middle class family are portrayed with quiet intensity, revealing how the pursuit of a better life can slowly unravel into loss, longing, and disillusionment. Pereira handles the tension between immigration and local unemployment with nuance, refusing to reduce it to simple blame and instead exposing its emotional and social complexity.
- Lindsay Pereira, Super
Sukhpreet Gill, an immigrant from Chukhiara, is employed in a housing society office as a cleaner. The visuals in the rural part of Brampton reminded him of the sights and smells in his village. Maybe it was his father's face covered with shrouds, or his mother working hard to procure water for the family.
In another part of the same world, Maynard Wilson, an unemployed individual is grappling with issues that had arose due to increase in the immigrant population.
”All he wanted was to talk about immigration. Everywhere he looked, there were Asians taking up jobs once reserved for working-class Canadians”
Lindsay Pereira’s prose is haunting as well as unsettling. He describes the horrors of being a brown immigrant in a first-world country. It was smart on Pereira’s part to depict the problems of the Indian diaspora in Canada through Gill, who did odd jobs. The book is narrated from multiple POVs of the characters whose stories are as relatable as they can get. For instance, Gill's ladylove, Harneet Kaur, is also given space to breathe, because she hailed from a locality that crippled girls who spoke while making eye contact with their elders. The common denominator between them was the shared fate about how elders and relatives dictated their life choices.
”What they shared, he realized, was a sadness for something neither could define, a feeling of loss for an idea they couldn't articulate.”
The flashbacks, which are mostly set in Jalandhar, give context to his thinking process and how it moulded the person he became after he left home for greener pastures.
Wilson's POV made me uncomfortable and made me contemplate how hate crime take roots in the minds of any country's citizens.
Super by Lindsay Pereira is a haunting exploration of how immigrant lives' come at a cost of leaving their humble abode for greener pastures. The dreams and aspirations of a middle class family are portrayed with quiet intensity, revealing how the pursuit of a better life can slowly unravel into loss, longing, and disillusionment. Pereira handles the tension between immigration and local unemployment with nuance, refusing to reduce it to simple blame and instead exposing its emotional and social complexity.
April 23, 2026
One particular notion kept repeating itself in my head during my reading of Super – at what point does a dream begin to disintegrate while traveling on its way?
Sukhpreet leaves Jalandhar with a feeling very similar to what one could call pressure masked under hope. It appears that everybody agrees it is the right thing to do. Moreover, once Sukhpreet arrives at Canada, there is nothing disastrous. This is one of the most disturbing aspects for me – he gradually fades into insignificance rather than falls apart. All his life becomes smaller, more limited.
In Jalandhar, on the other hand, there is a sense of incompleteness. Every moment spent with Harneet seems unfulfilled, like some part of it was somehow taken away from it and made into tragedy. But not a tragedy, an interruption.
Finally, Maynard, I did not like staying in his mind, but at the same time I cannot ignore his feelings. The source of his aggression is very relatable, it is rooted in feeling left out, forgotten. There is something very familiar about it.
That which I valued most about the book was its refusal to make me sympathize with either party. Instead, it simply lays both parties before you and allows the tension to linger.
Nothing ends in any real sense of the word by the time the book is done, but somehow, it settles inside of you. It is not a physically heavy book, but it carries a certain weight nonetheless.
Sukhpreet leaves Jalandhar with a feeling very similar to what one could call pressure masked under hope. It appears that everybody agrees it is the right thing to do. Moreover, once Sukhpreet arrives at Canada, there is nothing disastrous. This is one of the most disturbing aspects for me – he gradually fades into insignificance rather than falls apart. All his life becomes smaller, more limited.
In Jalandhar, on the other hand, there is a sense of incompleteness. Every moment spent with Harneet seems unfulfilled, like some part of it was somehow taken away from it and made into tragedy. But not a tragedy, an interruption.
Finally, Maynard, I did not like staying in his mind, but at the same time I cannot ignore his feelings. The source of his aggression is very relatable, it is rooted in feeling left out, forgotten. There is something very familiar about it.
That which I valued most about the book was its refusal to make me sympathize with either party. Instead, it simply lays both parties before you and allows the tension to linger.
Nothing ends in any real sense of the word by the time the book is done, but somehow, it settles inside of you. It is not a physically heavy book, but it carries a certain weight nonetheless.
April 7, 2026
Super by Lindsay Pereira is a haunting, reflective and deeply unsettling narrative centered on Sukhpreet, who arrives in Jalandhar from his village with the aspiration of migrating to Canada for an improved life and better career prospects. Sukhpreet, possessing minimal resources, strives tirelessly to achieve his objective.
The story also features Harneet, his love interest, who is similarly conditioned to pursue education, or rather, to prepare for a life abroad. While both share a vision orchestrated by their families, their experiences diverge significantly, yet they are united by an unidentifiable void.
Sukhpreet eventually reaches Canada, only to discover that the life he envisioned is far from reality. Meanwhile, Maynard, a Canadian citizen, subsists on government support due to unemployment. His Life is far from comfortable that would have been the common perception. Their paths intersect, leading to an unfavorable turn of events for both.
Super transcends the typical narrative of the Indian diaspora in Canada. It is a profound exploration of endurance, loss, grief, and displacement, detailing the measures taken to succeed when all avenues appear closed. The writing is atmospheric and emotionally charged, contributing to its grim tone. This book reflects a reality often obscured by perceptions of growth and extravagance which makes it brilliant.
The story also features Harneet, his love interest, who is similarly conditioned to pursue education, or rather, to prepare for a life abroad. While both share a vision orchestrated by their families, their experiences diverge significantly, yet they are united by an unidentifiable void.
Sukhpreet eventually reaches Canada, only to discover that the life he envisioned is far from reality. Meanwhile, Maynard, a Canadian citizen, subsists on government support due to unemployment. His Life is far from comfortable that would have been the common perception. Their paths intersect, leading to an unfavorable turn of events for both.
Super transcends the typical narrative of the Indian diaspora in Canada. It is a profound exploration of endurance, loss, grief, and displacement, detailing the measures taken to succeed when all avenues appear closed. The writing is atmospheric and emotionally charged, contributing to its grim tone. This book reflects a reality often obscured by perceptions of growth and extravagance which makes it brilliant.
April 14, 2026
Super is a compelling and emotionally resonant novel that challenges the conventional narrative of immigrant success.
Rather than romanticizing the move to Canada, the story presents a stark and unflinching portrayal of the hardships many newcomers endure.
The novel follows Sukhpreet Gill, a young man from Jalandhar whose family mortgages their ancestral land to send him abroad in search of a better future.
Filled with hope and ambition, Sukhpreet soon confronts a reality far removed from his dreams, as he struggles to survive in a system that treats him as expendable.
In parallel, Maynard Wilson, a local Canadian battling unemployment and the looming threat of homelessness, represents the silent struggles within the host country itself.
As their lives gradually intersect, the narrative unfolds into a poignant exploration of desperation, resilience, and the human cost of survival.
With its raw emotional depth and social relevance, Super is a powerful reminder that the pursuit of a better life often comes with unseen sacrifices.
It is a thought-provoking and unforgettable read that lingers long after the final page.
Rather than romanticizing the move to Canada, the story presents a stark and unflinching portrayal of the hardships many newcomers endure.
The novel follows Sukhpreet Gill, a young man from Jalandhar whose family mortgages their ancestral land to send him abroad in search of a better future.
Filled with hope and ambition, Sukhpreet soon confronts a reality far removed from his dreams, as he struggles to survive in a system that treats him as expendable.
In parallel, Maynard Wilson, a local Canadian battling unemployment and the looming threat of homelessness, represents the silent struggles within the host country itself.
As their lives gradually intersect, the narrative unfolds into a poignant exploration of desperation, resilience, and the human cost of survival.
With its raw emotional depth and social relevance, Super is a powerful reminder that the pursuit of a better life often comes with unseen sacrifices.
It is a thought-provoking and unforgettable read that lingers long after the final page.
April 23, 2026
This book is a deeply affecting exploration of what it truly means to search for a better life and the quiet costs that often come with it. It moves beyond the surface of ambition and opportunity, delving into the emotional weight of leaving behind everything familiar in the hope of something more.
What stayed with me was how honestly the characters are portrayed. Their struggles feel real, their choices complicated, and their journeys far from idealized. There’s a constant tension between hope and reality, which makes the story both compelling and heartbreaking.
The narrative also touches upon themes of belonging, identity, and the idea of “home” in a way that feels intimate and thought-provoking. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead invites you to sit with the discomfort and reflect.
Quietly powerful and emotionally resonant, this is a story that lingers one that makes you pause and reconsider what it truly means to chase a dream.
What stayed with me was how honestly the characters are portrayed. Their struggles feel real, their choices complicated, and their journeys far from idealized. There’s a constant tension between hope and reality, which makes the story both compelling and heartbreaking.
The narrative also touches upon themes of belonging, identity, and the idea of “home” in a way that feels intimate and thought-provoking. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead invites you to sit with the discomfort and reflect.
Quietly powerful and emotionally resonant, this is a story that lingers one that makes you pause and reconsider what it truly means to chase a dream.
April 5, 2026
Book Name: Super: A Novel by Lindsay Pereira
This book honestly hit me in a very real way. Super is not loud , it quietly shows how dreams can sometimes break you instead of building you. Sukhpreet’s journey felt so close to reality, leaving everything behind with hope in your eyes, only to face a life that is much harder than you imagined.
I felt a strange heaviness while reading this, especially seeing how loneliness, pressure, and survival slowly change a person. The parallel story of Maynard also adds that harsh truth , that struggle is everywhere, just in different forms. No one really has it easy.
What I loved the most is how simple yet honest the writing is. It doesn’t try too hard, and maybe that’s why it feels so real. This is not a “perfect ending” kind of book, but it makes you feel, think, and question things deeply.
A very grounded and emotional read for me.
This book honestly hit me in a very real way. Super is not loud , it quietly shows how dreams can sometimes break you instead of building you. Sukhpreet’s journey felt so close to reality, leaving everything behind with hope in your eyes, only to face a life that is much harder than you imagined.
I felt a strange heaviness while reading this, especially seeing how loneliness, pressure, and survival slowly change a person. The parallel story of Maynard also adds that harsh truth , that struggle is everywhere, just in different forms. No one really has it easy.
What I loved the most is how simple yet honest the writing is. It doesn’t try too hard, and maybe that’s why it feels so real. This is not a “perfect ending” kind of book, but it makes you feel, think, and question things deeply.
A very grounded and emotional read for me.
March 25, 2026
this hit a little too close to home
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews