She of the Mountains is a 2014 novel by Vivek Shraya that interweaves a story of the Hindu deities, Parvati, Shiva and Ganesh with a queer Hindu boy growing up in Canada.

She of the Mountains
AuthorVivek Shraya
IllustratorRaymond Biesinger
LanguageEnglish
SubjectYoung adult literature, Gay male teen fiction, Gender identity, Hindu mythology
Published2014 (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Publication placeCanada
Media typePrint (paperback)
Pages152
ISBN9781551525600
OCLC937059761

Reception

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Quill & Quire in a starred review of She of the Mountains wrote "Vivek Shraya seamlessly blends a lyrical interpretation of Hindu mythology with a contemporary coming-of-age tale. .. Studded with abstract illustrations by Raymond Biesinger, Shraya’s book is accessible, yet complex. "[1]

She of the Mountains has also been reviewed by Publishers Weekly,[2] Kirkus Reviews,[3] and The Globe and Mail.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Reviews: She of the Mountains". Quill & Quire. St. Joseph Media. May 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  2. ^ "She of the Mountains". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. August 11, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2017. This modern-day love story is interwoven with a retelling of the myths of the great goddess Pavarti; her husband, the god Shiva; and their son, the elephant god Ganesha. The Hindu gods, with their constantly shifting personas and manifestations, add a clever and thoughtful layer to the novel and highlight the intricacies and power of a love that eclipses gender, time, and conventions. Strikingly illustrated by Raymond Biesinger, this is a lyrical ode to love in all its many forms.
  3. ^ "She of the Mountains". Kirkus Media LLC. August 11, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2017. Sure, it's a messy, experimental work, but props to Shraya for putting himself out there in such a daring way and speaking truth to power to readers all along the sexual spectrum. An experimental multimedia hymn about delving into one's self, seeking love without labels.
  4. ^ Jade Colbert (November 21, 2014). "She of the Mountains: Vivek Shraya's latest novel intertwines two seemingly unrelated stories". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 28, 2017. What emerges is a queer love story addressing the issue of bisexual erasure ("You're gay" insist gay and straight people alike). .. So it's a self-love story as well.