Pratyusha
asked
Adiba Jaigirdar:
Hi Adiba! I just finished reading 'The Henna Wars'. First of all, thank you for representing us queer brown girls and for writing a story about a Bengali lesbian! Is the story close to your personal experience? And do you think the sometimes rocky relationship between Priti and Nishat is a product of feeling the pressure of bridging two worlds, and also having to 'compete' with each other as brown women? Thankyou!!!
Adiba Jaigirdar
Thank you so much! The story has similarities to some of my own experiences, but that's about it. I share marginalisations with the MC so the story it is close to my own heart.
I think that if you read Priti and Nishat's relationship in that way that is very valid. Personally, for me, I think siblings always have rocky moments in their relationships. Sibling relationships are strange because they are often both your family and your friend, especially when you're sisters so close in age like Priti and Nishat. So I don't think they feel as if they're competing against each other, or letting out their frustrations of bridging two worlds with each other. Ultimately, I think Priti has difficulty understanding much of what Nishat is experiencing because for much of her life she and Nishat have shared all of the same things. But in this one thing - sexuality - Nishat is experiencing something wholly different, and going through difficulties. That can be very very jarring for a sibling to experience, when you've shared so much of yourselves and your life with each other to suddenly be confronted with something that you can't experience, understand...or even help your sibling get through. So I think that is part of where the rockiness of their relationship derives from!
I think that if you read Priti and Nishat's relationship in that way that is very valid. Personally, for me, I think siblings always have rocky moments in their relationships. Sibling relationships are strange because they are often both your family and your friend, especially when you're sisters so close in age like Priti and Nishat. So I don't think they feel as if they're competing against each other, or letting out their frustrations of bridging two worlds with each other. Ultimately, I think Priti has difficulty understanding much of what Nishat is experiencing because for much of her life she and Nishat have shared all of the same things. But in this one thing - sexuality - Nishat is experiencing something wholly different, and going through difficulties. That can be very very jarring for a sibling to experience, when you've shared so much of yourselves and your life with each other to suddenly be confronted with something that you can't experience, understand...or even help your sibling get through. So I think that is part of where the rockiness of their relationship derives from!
More Answered Questions
Nawaal
asked
Adiba Jaigirdar:
As a queer Bangladeshi girl, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the fact that you've written "The Henna Wars." It's incredible to finally see this kind of representation! What prompted you to want to explore this? Thank you so much--I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy! :)
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Jul 09, 2021 05:44PM · flag