Review: An incredible Literary Cultural Read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 26, 2014
One thing which Moha has a gift for is telling tales which reflect her upbringing and culture also speak to each and every one of us.When a title fits the book in every way with everything within the tale, its like the sprinkles on top of a cake. The added sparking making it an amazing read. An Unlikely Goddess covers everything this book is about from the narrow focus of Sita's time with her books to the broad aspect of how she faces and deals becoming her own woman.One thing about this book that I would normally have an issue reading about was the constant hammering of über and hyper Christianity in the middle of the book. However it was Sita's story to tell, not mine and Moha's writing is so well balanced I fell into the tale face first and did not bother getting back up till I was done. I was telling my friend about the read and she said "Wait, it is a book with a bunch of Christianity and you love it?" Yes I did but the book was not about the Christianity, that was just a story device. It was another experience, not just a book. Reading this from cover to cover Sita's story made me cry, cringe, smile till my face hurt and cheer from the sidelines.I have a lot of friends who are first generation children like Sita is. Their parents were born and raised in Korea, India and Russia and I remember visiting their homes or like Sita, never getting to visit them for many of the same reasons Sita doesn't have friends over. Technically I am one, but since I was adopted it was a bit different for me since my parents are several generations in so I was not raised in this situation. Like many of her other stories, Moha presents another aspect of these kids within a clash of traditional cultures and US culture. How the people, Sitra in this case, finds a balance. Which is why the über religious aspects are completely necessary.As a young woman in her twenties I dealt with a lot of people who were intolerant of my religious choice, let alone accepting of it. In other words, I related. This book is another one that made me think. It is solid literary women's literature causing the reader such as me to feel humbled as well as empowered.For those who may recognize her name, Sita, the protagonist,  is based somewhat on the Hindu goddesses epic tale, The Ramayana. The story starts off with her being born unwanted but oblivious from birth on. After all, she is just a little girl and doesn't know any better. From birth, to toddling, through her discovery of reading and how it saved her through out her adolescence onward. Her character is so filled out the other characters are water color edging with Sita in deep heavy oils in the center. This may bother some folks but since Moha writes with a literary paintbrush, it suits and works with the story. I don't care of some of the characters though very well developed are not completely filled out, all I want to know is what will happen next.If you are looking for a smart literary read, which will give you something to think about, make your heart swell with both happiness and grief, pick this up. I cannot recommend it enough! It may not have zombies and a bunch of six-foot horny praying mantises but where it misses out with the make believe monsters, the real monsters of our reality, the good and the bad, are here in spades. A full five stars of delight. Thanks again for a wonderful read, Moha! Now... who wants Curry, Alaskan winter grilled style??