Identitti

Nivedita (a.k.a. Identitti), a doctoral student who blogs about race with the help of Hindu goddess Kali, is in awe of Saraswati, her superstar postcolonial and race studies professor. But Nivedita’s life and sense of self are upturned when it emerges that Saraswati is actually white. Hours before she learns the truth Nivedita praises her tutor in a radio interview, which calls into question her own reputation and ignites an angry backlash among her peers and online community.

A darkly comedic tour de force, Identitti showcases the outsized power of social media in the current debates around identity politics and the power of claiming your own voice.

The author

Mithu Sanyal is a cultural scientist, journalist and author of two academic books Vulva and Rape, published by Verso in 2019.

Reviews

‘A provocative and knotty debut.’ – The New York Times

‘A writer at the height of her powers.’ – Laurie Penny, author of Sexual Revolution

‘From the first page, I knew Sanyal was going to take me to filthy, funny, strange places. She didn’t disappoint. Buy the ticket and take the wild ride as Identitti tries to make sense of race, belonging and truth.’ – Jarred McGinnis, author of The Coward