Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla

Finally, here’s a story, set in the U.S., with two South Asian men who fall in love… with each other! Thank you, thank you! The writing is often beautiful and the emotions “felt” real. One love scene was quite profound and poetic. Still and very importantly the romance between the lovers appeared authentic. Dhalla reveals some deep psycho-emotional insights. (I never understood why women write M/M stories and books….they simply cannot understand the dynamic, and they create an irksome and flat portrayal. Gees, don't get me started.)

Overall, the story in Two Krishnas was compelling. I appreciated the relevant sociological threads about Hindus and Muslims that are woven in throughout the book. The non-English words and ideas were intelligently handled, respecting this reader’s ability to understand the context; or these words/concepts were explained but not gratuitously. Importantly, such words and concepts added to the texture of the book and its characters.

I had problems with some elements which were stereotypical and cliches. These included: Atif’s childhood experiences, and specifically, his family dynamics with male figures (his father and his uncle); Atif being the younger lover (and passive) to the older Rahul; the husband who betrays his wife; Pooja as the distraught and overly-dependent wife who learns of her husband’s straying; and the overwrought and devastating ending.

The lengthier background pieces about Kenya did seem superfluous. Also, I often wondered if knowing about the author’s Hollywood experience (from the inner book cover) influenced how I viewed this book – it seemed constructed to suit a movie. I found some passages to be very slick and too dramatic.

The upshot: This book was rewarding and engaging. I would read 10 of this book before merely considering any LGBT-themed book with solely white characters or with curry or rice queens vis a vis potato queens.

Please, please, Dhalla, be working on your next book.
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