Sejana Sathian – Gold Diggers

‘Gold Diggers’ by Sajena Sathian is a debut novel that is an Indian-American magical realist coming-of-age story. The cover is eye-catching and synopsis one that had me curious to discover what was inside this beautiful cover.

We meet Neil Narayan, whose parents moved to America for a better life. His sister is keeping up those standards, getting ready to go to an elite University. Neil himself is funny and smart, but not living up to the standards expected. He does try to want their version of success but his want for Anita, his neighbour from across the street is far greater. A truly original story that is narrated by Neil our underachieving main character. This all changes when he discovers Anita uses a ‘lemonade’ an ancient alchemical potion made from stolen gold which harnesses the original owners ambition that her mother makes. He wants that lemonade but events spiral out of control and the results aren’t what he expected, with a tragedy occurring that rips the community apart. Years later he realises he may need the lemonade one more time.

A story that spans two continents and much more, which is inspired by the Californian Gold Rush that brought the American Dream to the people in 1848. The difference is the Gold in this story is the hopes and dreams the first generation immigrants place onto their children. The bright hopes of the ‘new life’. The past blending into the present. The most precious thing to have, be it gold, hopes, opportunity.

At the heart of this truly original book are two generations of American- Indian immigrants, attempting to Americanise themselves while still hanging on to their India. It has plenty of themes to stop the story from being boring, it is anything but! Alchemy, drugs, love and even Gold Rush tales- from the past long gone with the Forty-Niners and from the present day, the tech being the new gold. The pressures for being successful these days and in the past are explored in such a different way in ‘Gold Diggers’.

The story does have a dash of humour as well along with tragedy that brings a thought-provoking story. I enjoyed this story so much, a debut novel which is excellently written by a great writer. She has woven so many themes so skilfully together and created a book that sticks In your mind for all the right reasons.

Thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours and Simon &Schuster UK for my place on the tour and the copy of this great debut.