The Subtweet - A Novel

Vivek Shraya

Summary

“Biting and beautiful.” — Jonny Sun, author of everyone’s a aliebn when ur a aliebn too
		 
Everyone talks about falling in love, but falling in friendship can be just as captivating. When Neela Devaki’s song is covered by internet-famous artist Rukmini, the two musicians meet and a transformative friendship begins.
		 
But as Rukmini’s star rises and Neela’s stagnates, jealousy and self-doubt creep in. With a single tweet, their friendship implodes, one career is destroyed, and the two women find themselves at the center of an internet firestorm.
		 
Celebrated multidisciplinary artist Vivek Shraya’s second novel is a stirring examination of making art in the modern era, a love letter to brown women, an authentic glimpse into the music industry, and a nuanced exploration of the promise and peril of being seen.

Available since: 04/07/2020.

Contemporary Fiction

2 Comments

24symbols EN

Canadian multidisciplinary artist Vivek Shraya has delivered a stunning novel about being an artist in times of social media. The protagonist Sheela is a Toronto music legend who is proud to pour her entire being into her music. Her groundedness is being challenged, when youtuber RIK-MINI becomes popular overnight by covering one of Neela’s songs. The two women meet up and become friends but their relationship is build on fragile grounds. While friendship between artists has always been a roller coaster ride between mutual admiration and jealousy; social media is giving these feelings an explosive and unpredictable outlet. The novel’s underlying theme is not only rivalry and insecurity among artists but also (the lack of) communication and what it means to be a person of color performing for a mainstream – in other words white – audience.

Don’t forget to check out the book’s soundtrack! Yes, that’s right, Shraya recorded both versions of “Every Song” – the very reason for Neela’s and Rikmini’s friendship and conflict. We’ll leave it to you to decide which version you like best. But first, make sure to read the book! Discover more book recommendations on https://www.24symbols.com/24stories/en/the-best-books-of-the-moment/
24symbols EN

This book was featured as one of the best books of the moment. Have a look at our Magazine to discover our best books of the moment, a handpicked and periodically updated selection of the books you simply cannot miss: https://www.24symbols.com/24stories/en/the-best-books-of-the-moment/

About the author

Vivek Shraya

Vivek Shraya is an artist whose body of work crosses the boundaries of music, literature, visual art, theater, and film. Her bestselling book I’m Afraid of Men was heralded by Vanity Fair as...

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