Review of The Marvelous Mirza Girls

This was pitched as The Gilmore Girls meets New Delhi. I’m a fan of this author and have a love/hate relationship with the Gilmore Girls, so what did I think of this one? Check out my review of The Marvelous Mirza Girls!

The Marvelous Mirza Girls by Sheba Karim. Published on May 18, 2021 by Quill Tree Books. Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review.

Synopsis: To cure her post–senior year slump and cope with the loss of her aunt Sonia, Noreen is ready to follow her mom on a gap year trip to New Delhi, hoping India can lessen her grief. In the world’s most polluted city, Noreen soon meets kind, handsome Kabir, who introduces her to the wonders of this magical, complicated place. With Kabir’s help—plus Bollywood celebrities, fourteenth-century ruins, karaoke parties, and Sufi saints—Noreen begins to rediscover her joyful voice.But when a family scandal erupts, Noreen and Kabir must face complicated questions in their own relationship: What does it mean to truly stand by someone—and what are the boundaries of love?

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Review of the Marvelous Mirza Girls

I’m a big fan of Sheba Karim and have loved two of her books (That Thing We Call a Heart and Mariam Sharma Hits the Road). Her books aren’t plot heavy, but are more beautifully-written journeys of self discovery. In the case of The Marvelous Mirza Girls and Mariam Sharma Hits the Road, they are also literal journeys. Yes, they can feel a little meandering at times, but always involve an interesting cast of characters (friends and family) exploring the world and having conversations about life, literature, philosophy, feminism, the Partition of British India, and so much more.

Noreen was a great character. Like Rory Gilmore, she lives with her single mom, and the two are very close. Her dad is mostly out of the picture and not someone she can count on. Her mom’s parents are a big part of her life. She’s also just lost her beloved aunt Sonia Khala, her mom’s sister. When Noreen’s mom decides to take off on a trip to New Delhi, Noreen defers her freshman year of college and tags along.

I wasn’t feeling the strongest Gilmore Girls vibe during the trip, as Noreen and her mom sort of go their own way once they arrive in India. But I loved following Noreen as she explored New Delhi along with family friend Kabir. As a travelogue this book was great, and although I read an ARC, I hope the finished copy has a beautiful map of the city. Noreen’s observations and first-hand impressions of all New Delhi’s sights, smells, sounds and tastes, really made the city come alive for me. Noreen also looks to connect with her late aunt on a spiritual level as she and Kabir tour the city. The book’s exploration of grief and loss was incredibly moving.

While I said Sheba Karim’s books aren’t usually plot-heavy, this book does weave in some issues and did it in an artful and interesting way. Noreen has a lot to say about women’s issues in India, but there’s also a #metoo subplot woven in that hits close to home for Noreen.

I really enjoyed The Marvelous Mirza Girls. It’s a travelogue, a grief book, and a story about family and found family and families separated by immigration and loss. If you haven’t yet tried a Sheba Karim book, this is a great one to try. Or try That Thing We Call a Heart (about love and Urdu poetry) and Mariam Sharma Hits the Road (a New York to New Orleans road trip.)