Book: The Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations
Author: Mira Jacob
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 368; Price: Rs.599
Mira Jacob’s, Good Talk gives insight on the unsettling idea of racism and everything attached to it. The opening pages of the illustrated graphic novel begin with a discussion on the ‘King of Pop’, Michael Jackson, and the colour of this skin (which evolved over a period of time as the prodigy earned a name). This then, gradually makes its way to Mira’s life.
The book is a biopic of her life in the States, and her conversations with her son, from her husband of Jewish origin. After the Michael Jackson episode the novel grows onto how her parents migrated to the United States, and started to live there. Mira gives a clear insight in the mindset of today’s youth that fast wants to shun from the old ways of life. This is exactly what she leaves us pondering about.
How smitten are we by the idea of settling down in any country that is labelled as first world? But the unsettling moment arises only when you’ve actually stepped on foreign soil. The young modern Indian is fast disregarding the deeply entrenched caste system. We are so done and dusted with the concept! We thoughtlessly want to take off to greener pastures. We all hope to live a life that’s free from discrimination; little knowing of the biases (of a different sort) that are deeply entrenched in every country around the world.
Mira Jacob’s graphic novel, deeply explores the unsettling ways of being an American Indian, who is married to a half Jew. Her son raises questions on a number of issues that have been fuelled by the 2016 Presidential Elections. Trump’s regime insensitively takes people back to the evils of racism, with a number of routine riots that leaves an impact on the child’s mind.
Questions on love, hate and racism have made themselves evident at this juncture. Racism has affected many, in different parts of the world. Famed authors have penned down interesting narratives around the subject. There are movements that have gotten around urging people to disregard this social evil. Yet, the change is only negligible.
Mira’s works are thought provoking because of the captivating graphics, and a different format that she has inculcated, absorbing non-readers to pick up the piece and read the same. But the graphic game can hold one’s interest only to a certain degree, and the content could weigh one down. Considering she is an Indian from America, she could have devised a more interesting narrative to address the subject more meaningfully.
Mira has previously written the critically acclaimed novel, A sleepwalkers Guide to Dancing. The Novel has been shortlisted for a numbers of prestigious literary awards. She pens her pieces in a number of renowned publications including the likes of The New York Times, The Telegraph, The Electric Hub, Vogue, Tin House and many more and is the co-founder of Pete’s Reading Series in Brooklyn.
