CW: This podcast contains discussion of Gender-Based violence.
Rijula Das’ award-winning novel Small Deaths is an amazing book. Set in Shonagachhi and orbiting the violent murder of a sex worker it is one of the most compelling and felt reading experiences I have had this year. It is astounding.
I was so grateful that Rijula took time to talk to me. Rijula was kind enough to bring the following cartoon to our conversation.
We began our discussion talking about seagulls and monkeys and using the way this joke skews a well-known narrative we talked about ways to re-write or challenge the dominant stories in our cultures about sex work. Rijula also talks about the pragmatics of writing the book.
In this episode Rijula and I talk a couple of times about the 2016 Indian banknote demonetisation
The launch of Verb Readers & Writers Festival 2022 programme, and the release of Festival Programmer, Rijula Das’ debut novel Small Deaths takes place on Tuesday 13 September, 5:30pm for a 6pm. All warmly welcome. Please RSVP by Monday 12 September to info@verbwellington.nz
Ep 118: Beyond a Joke 9 - Rijula Das, author of Small Deaths, talks to Pip Adam about a New Yorker cartoon