The story of an everyday teenager, Skunk Girl, portrays the life of protagonist Nina Khan, a Pakistani-Muslim girl in the U.S.. Based in Deer Hook where Nina is probably the only South Asian student, life is not as simple as it seems.
The plot unfolds
From living in the shadows of her older sister, a genius by birth, to the struggles of fitting in socially while standing by her parents' beliefs and expectations proves to be quite a task for Nina. Her dilemmas include being hated by the queen bee of the school, excessive body hair and things worsen when Asher Richelli, an Italian transfer student, catches her eye.
One would expect Nina to be a typical American teenager when it comes to relationships. Being rebellious, bratty and throwing tantrums were expected but considering her traditionalist background she stands by her family values. Though she has her share of sneaking out to parties and meeting Asher, she soon realises that there is more to life than high school ‘socialising'.
Sheba Karim has also depicted the lives of Nina's two best friends, Helena and Bridget. It provides a contrasting picture, comparing the different social cultures. Nina's character is engaging, unlike most other central characters.
She has her own share of problems, decisions and expectations to deal with. The book has quite a few instances to which modern teenagers can relate, making it all the more profound and earnest.
Predictable
The plot turns out to be quite predictable. It has its share of wry, witty humour and gives the readers a different perspective of high school life. More emphasis is given to the distinguishing characters and cultures revealed throughout. Sheba Karim has sensitively dealt with the theme, considering herself a part of the story. Overall, it serves as a good read for every teenager and for some accommodating adults alike.
Title:Skunk girl
Author:Sheba Karim
Publication:Penguin
Price:Rs. 250
Anjali has just completed Std XII.
