📖 Overview
Vivek Shraya is a Canadian multi-disciplinary artist known for work spanning literature, music, visual art, and theater. Since emerging in the early 2000s, she has earned recognition as a Lambda Literary Award finalist and CBC Arts' Great Canadian Filmmaker of the Future.
As an author and publisher, Shraya founded VS. Books, an imprint focused on mentoring and publishing emerging BIPOC writers. Her own written works include the stage play and web series "How to Fail as a Popstar," which premiered on CBC Gem in 2023.
Shraya's musical career began at age 13, leading to multiple solo albums across genres including "THROAT" (2002) and "Keys & Machines" (2009). She later formed the band Too Attached with her brother Shamik Bilgi, releasing albums "Bronze" (2015) and "Angry" (2018).
Beyond her creative work, Shraya serves on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation, which advocates for LGBTQ women's rights and representation. She continues to tour extensively in North America, both as a solo artist and with Too Attached.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently note Shraya's raw honesty in exploring identity, gender, and cultural expectations. Through aggregated reviews, specific themes emerge:
What readers liked:
- Direct, conversational writing style that makes complex topics accessible
- Personal storytelling that connects with LGBTQ+ experiences
- Unique format choices that blend memoir with social commentary
- Cultural observations about South Asian family dynamics
What readers disliked:
- Some found the narratives too self-focused
- Several mentioned wanting more depth in certain storylines
- A few noted repetitive themes across different works
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: "I'm Afraid of Men" (3.9/5 from 3,400+ ratings)
- "The Subtweet" (3.7/5 from 1,200+ ratings)
- Amazon: "Death Threat" (4.3/5 from 42 ratings)
Notable reader quote: "Shraya has this incredible ability to make you feel both seen and uncomfortable at the same time" (Goodreads review of "I'm Afraid of Men")
📚 Books by Vivek Shraya
God Loves Hair (2010)
A collection of short stories following a young South Asian boy navigating sexuality, gender, and cultural identity in Western Canada.
She of the Mountains (2014) A parallel narrative alternating between a queer love story and a reimagining of Hindu mythology focused on the goddess Parvati.
The Boy & the Bindi (2016) A children's picture book about a young boy who becomes fascinated with his mother's bindi and explores its cultural significance.
even this page is white (2016) A poetry collection examining racism, identity politics, and the intersections of gender and race.
I'm Afraid of Men (2018) A memoir-essay reflecting on masculinity and gender through personal experiences of living as both a man and a woman.
Death Threat (2019) A graphic novel documenting real transphobic hate mail received by the author and her responses to these messages.
People Change (2022) A non-fiction exploration of transformation and change through personal, cultural, and artistic lenses.
How to Fail as a Popstar (2023) A theatrical script chronicling the author's journey pursuing pop music stardom and examining themes of failure and success.
She of the Mountains (2014) A parallel narrative alternating between a queer love story and a reimagining of Hindu mythology focused on the goddess Parvati.
The Boy & the Bindi (2016) A children's picture book about a young boy who becomes fascinated with his mother's bindi and explores its cultural significance.
even this page is white (2016) A poetry collection examining racism, identity politics, and the intersections of gender and race.
I'm Afraid of Men (2018) A memoir-essay reflecting on masculinity and gender through personal experiences of living as both a man and a woman.
Death Threat (2019) A graphic novel documenting real transphobic hate mail received by the author and her responses to these messages.
People Change (2022) A non-fiction exploration of transformation and change through personal, cultural, and artistic lenses.
How to Fail as a Popstar (2023) A theatrical script chronicling the author's journey pursuing pop music stardom and examining themes of failure and success.
👥 Similar authors
Ocean Vuong writes about queerness, immigration, and family relationships through both poetry and prose, exploring themes of identity and belonging that echo Shraya's work. His work "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" deals with similar intersections of sexuality, culture, and family dynamics.
Carmen Maria Machado crafts narratives that challenge genre boundaries while examining queerness and the body. Her memoir "In the Dream House" uses experimental storytelling techniques to explore identity and trauma in ways that parallel Shraya's approach.
Janet Mock writes about trans identity and navigating multiple cultural spaces through memoir and cultural criticism. Her books center on themes of self-discovery and transformation that align with Shraya's explorations of gender and identity.
Roxane Gay examines intersections of identity, culture, and power through multiple genres including essays, memoir, and fiction. Her work addresses body politics and cultural criticism in ways that complement Shraya's focus on representation and visibility.
Ivan Coyote creates work across multiple disciplines including writing and performance, focusing on gender identity and queer experiences. Their storytelling style combines personal narrative with social commentary in ways similar to Shraya's multidisciplinary approach.
Carmen Maria Machado crafts narratives that challenge genre boundaries while examining queerness and the body. Her memoir "In the Dream House" uses experimental storytelling techniques to explore identity and trauma in ways that parallel Shraya's approach.
Janet Mock writes about trans identity and navigating multiple cultural spaces through memoir and cultural criticism. Her books center on themes of self-discovery and transformation that align with Shraya's explorations of gender and identity.
Roxane Gay examines intersections of identity, culture, and power through multiple genres including essays, memoir, and fiction. Her work addresses body politics and cultural criticism in ways that complement Shraya's focus on representation and visibility.
Ivan Coyote creates work across multiple disciplines including writing and performance, focusing on gender identity and queer experiences. Their storytelling style combines personal narrative with social commentary in ways similar to Shraya's multidisciplinary approach.