Hidier, Tanuja D. Born Confused. New York: Push/Scholastic Inc., 2002. ISBN: 0-439-51011-2
Plot Summary:
Dimple Lala is a South Asian American teen growing up in New Jersey trying to fit in more with American culture than appreciate the culture of her Indian parents. Both of her parents are what she sees as straitlaced traditional Indians. She struggles with her self image, tries to produce great photography, and pursue the ever elusive perfect boy from her adopted culture.
After a failed relationship and a few failed dates, her parents set up a meeting with Karsh, the son of a friend from India. Dimple sees Karsh as the epitome of what she does not want in a man, as he gets along with her parents and is very much into his Indian identity. Through the help of a cousin, Dimple gets in touch with the Indian community in New York and begins to attend events for young people. She comes to find out that Karsh is a well-known DJ and is much more hip than she first thought. She begins to fall for him, but so does Gwyn, Dimples white, very attractive best friend.
Gwyn starts to become more interested in Indian culture than dimple ever was in order to win over Karsh. Dimple also begins to find a place in her culture and to come to appreciate her parents and their wish that she be with Karsh. Karsh begins to be a wedge between the two friends and they have a falling out over him. In the end Karsh chooses dimple over Gwyn. Dimple is faced with finding her identity, winning Karsh, while trying to keep her friendship with Gwyn.
Critical Evaluation:
The author has a background which gives her an insight into the South Asian American experience. The protagonist has a number of struggles that she must deal with, and this more or less makes the story. The story takes the main character through a sort of journey of definition where she has to redefine so many of the truths that she once knew to be true. The tone of narration even changes throughout the story. In the beginning of the book, Dimple talks like an adolescent with adolescent problems, toward the end she sounds like she has grown up. The love story underneath all of this is also a good one, and the leading man is as complex a character as the protagonist.
Reader’s Annotation:
Dimple Lala is a South Asian American teen who is faced with trying to define herself and deal with the forces of two different cultures. She has a number of discovery experiences while trying to win a boy, keep a friendship, and come to love the culture of her family, while trying to maintain her own identity.
Information about the author:
Tanuja Desai Hidier is an American writer of South Asian origin, she is also heavily involved with the South Asian cultural scene in London and New York. Hidier is an editor, a filmmaker, a lead singer and songwriter for the rock band Angels with Whips. She wrote and directed a short film titled The Test, and is involved with the independent film sector.
Born Confused is her first novel, and was a Larry King Pick of the Week. She has also written short stories which have been published, she is currently working on her second book. She has also been a recipient of the London Writers/Waterstones Award and the James Jones First Novel Fellowship Award.
Genre:
Coming of Age/Romance/ South Asian American Experience
Curriculum Ties:
N/A
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Focus the talk on the different forces which are impacting Dimple’s life.
2. Center the discussion on the way many people, like Dimple, live in two cultures at the same time.
3. Discuss the love story that takes place alongside the story of Dimple defining herself.
Reading Level/Interest Age:
16+
Challenge Issues:
Alcohol/Drug Use/LGBT Relationships
Challenge Defense Ideas:
1. Read the book.
2. Be Familiar with the policy of the ALA and your institution.
3. Make a note of the contents of the work and how they fall in with the collection development policy of your institution and the standpoint of the ALA.
4. Gain an awareness of the awards, reviews, and criticisms of the work, as well as other works by the same writer.
5. Know the process for materials challenges at your library.
Why did you include this book? :
I have not noticed many young adult novels that focus on the South Asian American experience, I wanted to include a novel that reflected this demographic.
Author’s Website:
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