Status Updates From When Soma met Sahan: A capt...

Overall, I loved this. How could I not? Charika is a pro. What really sets her apart how she takes time build these conflicts and relationships and fears. All three characters have related but separate fears. We live deeply in their circumstances before heading into romance. The romance itself is courteous and much slower + careful. Highly rec

Taking one step back cuz I don’t think I was clear —Soma has to trust Sahan more than he necessarily does her. And she has more to lose. Charika does great job taking about power, privilege, and class . This is not reflected in their dynamic but also with Yamuna-Sahan’s cuz but also Soma’s employer. The way Yamuna and Soma co-exist is a big part of the story.

Sahan comes from a middle class but politically involved family. There’s this convo if his protective upbringing is actually unhelpful. It put him in position he was unprepared for and had him running to closely to what he saw as a paragon of virtue or innocence. And that’s not right either. Yamuna and Bim think Kaigen vibes but fic- I loved the different types of love and developing relationships validated.

Unbeknownst to each other. Somewhere along the way there’s bit of stand off essentially Sahan needs to re-evaluate why he likes her so much. And I really like this part. A part of him has to admit it’s not too substantial and rather comparative or rxn-ray given what happened to him. Soma has to put a lot trust in him and the way Charika makes this abundantly clear is precious. Cuz it’s not overlooking

Where to start? ( I am finished but probably need a few more updates to contain my thoughts.) This was lovely. Very sweet. Very temperate. All the things I love from Charika.

We follow 3 characters - I spoke about their individual struggles already. Our story really comes together when Sahan ( which keeps getting auto corrected btw) offers to give Soma lessons in English. Their feelings are mutual but unbeknownst

as always normal or the baseline. How connection looks or develops can be so unique. Perhaps we just created a public narrative that we have kept in place. Also possible maybe expectations are getting in the way. Or maybe it’s posts or a reflection of all her anxieties such as being alone in new marriage or relatively new country or it’s English society making them feel like they have to assimilate.

It’s likely she has post partem or there is crossover in her marriage dynamics. Yamuna talks about how motherhood often feels promised or prodigal, a stage. There is this cheated out of feeling that’s its just not there. There’s quite a few directions to take this. Any would be good. One of them is something Jackie Lau talks about too which is maybe it’s a false normal. Something we all want and projects as

Stirrings of where the story is going and I am very excited. Yamuna has this line about her marriage being something she is okay with being ambivalent about ( she had other relationships but true love never came her way but she was ready for marriage and so she did. Her husband is okay but someone who is ambivalent to her as she is him. ) but what she feels cheated out of is this bond with her newborn.

Just read Sagan / Yamuna’s chapter and I am definitely feeling the movie magic. Jeevani Charika was one of my faves last year. This might be exact right time to read her. Her writing falls into place so beautifully. This gentle but thoughtful touches that are signature to her characters is extremely comforting. Sahan is feeling cornered and homesick. Maybe something more. Yamuna is feeling unmaternal and bereft

I am enjoying this so far. Jaya is running away from an abusive step father when her bus turns over into body of water. Afraid of being sent back after escaping, she steals the identity of the girl who was sitting next to her but died in the accident, Soma. Soma is going to England to be a nanny to baby Louie . Specifically to make sure e doesn’t loose his Sinhalese culture + language. Afraid of being caught as S.

Let love seep in.

Porridge, Bread & Jam 😋