The God of No Good

by Sita Walker

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NSW PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS
WINNER OF THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE QUEENSLAND BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

‘Deeply moving … so powerful it can’t help but explode like fireworks across the final page.’ – Trent Dalton

This is not a book about divorce. It’s not a book about God, either. You might think it is a book about goodness and what it means to be a good person, but it isn’t. Like everything else, this is about love.

Sita Walker was raised by five strong matriarchs who taught her to believe in God and to be good. Her grandmother, mother and three aunts believed in their unshakeable Bahá’í faith, in the power of prayer, in sacrifice, in magic, in the healing of turmeric and tea, and the wisdom of dreams. 

But as hard as she tries to be good, Sita always suspects that deep down, she isn’t very good at all.

At thirty-five, she hasn’t prayed in years, her dream of true love has died, and along with it, her faith – not that she’s telling her mother, or her aunts. Now, the only way she can fulfill her destiny is to seek out the wisdom of the ones who came before, and truly understand the women who raised her. But will they understand her? Either way, the matriarchy will never be the same again.

Traversing decades and continents – from Iran to India, Sri Lanka to the Czech Republic, Adelaide to the Torres Strait – The God of No Good is a beautifully lyrical and funny intergenerational memoir about six women and how their lives intertwine. Filled with wit and wisdom, it is a story that only Sita Walker could tell, but it will resonate with readers everywhere. 

‘Gestures of love leave the deepest imprint, be it Walker’s grandmother brewing masala chai or plucking a jam-coated chapati from her apron pocket. The God of No Good is a moving debut exploding with heart, warmth and wisdom, for fans of Zadie Smith, Alice Pung and Candice Carty-Williams.’ – Books+Publishing

Genres: Memoir, Book Club, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Spirituality

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2023

Reviews

[Femke C · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was raining the day I decided to start reading this book and it didn’t stop all day…so I unashamedly ignored my family and any pressing obligations and allowed myself to be wrapped in this book, like a glorious blanket of love (stopping only for cups of tea whenever the aunties made one!)
The God of No Good is a glimpse into family relationships through many decades. It made me laugh out loud, cry and learn new things about myself and about what’s truly important in life - which is people and love and family, but not possessions or status or other people’s opinions. Thank you for reminding me, Sita Walker!

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful writing that flipped around telling stories of different members of a Persian family from Tehran who come to Australia. The author Sita Walker is questioning her faith and the strict Ba’hai religion that she grew up with. There were some lovely bits in there but I found I wasn’t very interested in the overall story and I found all the characters a bit confusing. The most tedious part was the description of an acid trip Sita took with her ex-husband in a forest where each family member appeared to her as rivers or trees or some such nonsense. I listened to the audiobook and while I think the narrator did a good job in conveying the tone of the story ultimately I found her irritating.

[Natasha Bagshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. Sita captures the human spirit in a way that is authentic, guileless and utterly beautiful. Highly recommend the audio book narrated by Shabana Azeez.

[Jodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was breath-taking. The writing is sublime, the metaphors are unparalleled & the last chapter is the best last chapter in any book I have ever read. It left me feeling like I had been punched, but in a good way. Absolutely superb! Cannot recommend it enough!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sita Walker painted a series of vivid portraits that deeply connected me to the stories and lives of her family. I cried, laughed and started asking myself questions that remind me that we are all humans trying to figure this confusing life thing out.

[Melanie Jocumsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suspected once I started this book I would not put it down. Correct. I read it from cover to cover in one night. I laughed, I cried, I howled, I giggled. I felt all the love.

‘…expats returned to a war torn homeland’

My heart broke in a million pieces but got put back together again - just like she promised.

Brilliant Seets. Brilliant.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a superb memoir - witty, moving, thought-provoking, filled with unique characters. It is told in a distinctly non-linear fashion and it is about God and goodness and definitely about love. Sitar has been brought up in the Baha’i faith by her mother, grandmother and three aunts as well as her father, John. She questions her faith especially as her marriage dissolves. Her memories are often oral histories told to her, and they move from India to Iran to Sri Lanka to the Czech Republic to various widespread parts of Australia. Sita is funny and credible and loved by many friends and family. Her life has been tainted by tragedy yet she is undefeated. If this had been a novel I would have thought there were too many characters and too much was a little bit beyond belief. But it isn’t a novel and that is what makes it extra memorable. The writing is truly memorable. One particular description sticks with me when she describes herself and Anthony sitting in a cramped theatre. She compares them to the last crayons shoved into the already overflowing packet - and she hilariously extends the metaphor.

[Johanna Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished on a plane as we were descending and cried while we disembarked 😀

[Sandra Haberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Great writing. Wonderful characters. I couldn’t put it down.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profoundly beautiful memoir that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. I laughed, cried, howled with laughter again and couldn’t put it down. The lyrically whimsical style captures the landscape magnificently from Brisbane to Tehran, Pakistan to Adelaide. I loved it!

[SS · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of family (current, future and ancestors), love and faith and how it comes and goes.

[Camila - Books Through My Veins · Rating 4 out of 5]

- thanks to Brigid from @ultimopress for my #gifted copy

I must admit I had great expectations for The God of No Good. I have seen it around a lot on Bookstagram, and all I heard was high praise. But, as usual, I am very weary of hyped books, yet even though I tried, I could not manage my own excitement for this book. Thanks to all the reading gods (in my book, all the people involved in making a book possible!) Sita's book was everything I was hoping for.

When it comes to Memoirs, I have an unjustifiable preference for linear events laid out in chronological order, so I usually struggle significantly when this is not the case. However, I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the back-and-forth between the timelines of this book, as it highlighted the unique perspectives and the lived experiences of Sita and her family. In addition, the nonchronological narrative also contributed to the contrast between past and present, thus creating a profound and heartwarming impact on me, as it made me feel closer to Sita and her people and even to those that are no longer here.

Sita's writing was delightful to experience and an absolute pleasure to spend time with. The vulnerability and bravery necessary to tell one's story and share it with the world are embedded in every single word. In fact, I inevitably felt sad when I reached the end: I wanted to keep reading and spend more time with these incredible, capable, resilient, loving and brilliant women.

We all know that families are not perfect, yet reading about Sita's family and how they actively made efforts not only to enjoy the good times and create beautiful memories together, but also to go above and beyond to support each other during difficult times was utterly inspiring. I was also able to relate to Sita's family's migrating experience, which made me feel seen but also incredibly hopeful.

Overall, The God of No Good is an unmissable, beautiful and heartwarming Memoir about faith, resilience, loss and the uplifting power of family. 100% recommended.

[Susan O'Hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Love is the light of guidance in the dark night’. Bahá’í faith

This book touched me deeply. I know and love many of the people in this book. I love them even more now! The author took me on a journey through my own questioning of my childhood faith until I found my heart and my home in the Baha’i faith. Life is a journey, usually meandering, rarely a straight path. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. May God bless the remainder of your journey.

[Sue Gould · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much to like about this book, but I found the structure really confusing and hard to follow. A family tree would have really helped! All of the different voices and the time jumps made this a less enjoyable read for me. Themes of home, family, grief, love, belonging, and not belonging.

[Peter Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year bouncing backwards and forwards was a bit jarring but I liked how Sita reflected on each of the matriarchs of her family and how each had their own personalities that played a role in her becoming her own person.

[Debra]

DNF. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. The timelines seemed to jump around and it was tricky following the gist of the story.

[Déwi · Rating 5 out of 5]

How beautiful is this cover!! 🍃🍵
It holds a heartwarming and seemingly very honest memoir that has recently been published and is receiving lots of positive reviews.

Sita Walker has written a beautiful, lifelong love story that ebbs and flows through her relationships with her grandmother, mother, three gorgeous aunts (all of whom you will wish were yours), her father (who sounds too good to be true), her siblings, her ex-husband, her children, her teaching career, her students, her love of literature and words, her friends, her neighbours, her neighbourhood…and finding new love on Bumble. Despite the title this is a book that is full of wonderful imagery and so much good!

I have to be honest, at first I was worried this was going to be a story of love gone wrong on Bumble, but Walker weaves in and out of loving, funny, sad, personal anecdotes of family, loss and grief, hope, everyday life...that connect her story to who she is and where she is now. ❤️

I also loved reading about Walker's family's migration story, the crosscultural experiences, and learning about the Bahá'í faith.

Have you ever listened to The Moth podcast? Storytelling of real life stories! There's a real art to story telling and this book is an example of when it is done well. I would love to listen to the audiobook.

Thank you to #netgalley and @ultimopress for the e-book in return for an honest review. 5⭐️

[Ingrid Banwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous book!
I laughed, I cried, I ached and sighed in awe at the sheer scope and skill of Sita’s story-telling; the wit and wisdom, the candor and, of course, the deft and beautiful writing.
The God of No Good has everything I adore in a good book: heart and soul, spirit and courage.
I finished this book feeling dazzled, delighted, and reminded of the sheer power of beauty and nature, art, and love. And of course, the importance of a loving, kind, and supportive family. If this is the God of No Good, then we should all spend a few moments, hours, or lifetimes, in her company.
It’s going to be hard, after this, to find my next good read.

[Rebecca Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The answer is love! Trent Dalton is absolutely right, this book is deeply moving. I especially loved how the characters jumped off the page- their wise counsel and advice to Sita became counsel and advice to me - I felt it. This book is a gift to all who read it. Congratulations Sita Walker, you've deftly merged entertainment with enlightenment and reminded me of the whole reason for our existence - to love, and be loved. Thank you.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually read to wind down at the end of the day. This is the first book in a very long time that I sought out snippets of time to keep reading. I found it hard to put down. This book is wonderful- I shall leave no spoilers here but as a mother/wife/daughter/woman trying to remember who I used to be, there are many moments in this book that made my heart squeeze and I could relate.

[Geetha Chandran · Rating 4 out of 5]

a story of 3 generations , many women, its their story , based on sitas life . what does it mean to be good, where is God in the sadness and badness of life, how do women from more than one culture choose their own path, how do our choices effect the generations.
enjoyable and thought provoking. audiobook

[Lolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir almost reads like a novel, with Walkers lovely righting style.
It is a calm and contemplative journey through the lense of her and her family, primarily focusing on the women and their connection to each other.
And in the background Walkers faith weaves through the story.
This was a lovely read.

[Anne Forrest · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful narration of a memoir that read like a novel about love , loss & resolution.

[Georgie Somerset]

So much written into this memoir - tightly expressed and tightly woven. The overwhelming sense of family, and duty, and connection. Loved the weft of generations, countries and yet contemporary.

[Lys · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 - review to come. Did I read this book in one sitting? Yes, yes I did.

[Sean O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly magical trip across the lives of generations of women. The love that every word in this memoir describes it’s scenes, whether it be a cool night in a Tehran hospital, a bustling family home in India, or an evening in the suburbs of Brisbane, is all-encompassing. Sita draws connections through time like a constellation - no matter how far apart or in what order the memory is, it paints the same picture. And that picture is of what it means to feel, receive, and give love. Would recommend to read this book with a lovely Chamomile, maybe with a dash of honey. Be comfortable, and let every page hold you in its warm embrace.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to read a book set in my hometown. Love knowing the exact places she mentions. A lovely memoir which resounds with love.

[Keira · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful journey. Sita tells a beautiful story with love, heartache and humour.

[Christine McEwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riverbend Book Club May-24. Catching up on this one, as missed it for book club. Lovely read, wish there was a bit more of the Grandmother. There are A LOT of names - had to jot down a family tree to keep track. Some very familiar Brisbane references, and Avid book club reference made me not surprised this was chosen as a Book Club book.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read. Lovely story told with heartfelt emotion - humour, sadness, self-doubt, absolution.