“To all the brown kids, queer kids, fat kids”: exploring intersectionality in South-Asian-Irish young adult fiction through Adiba Jaigirdar’s contemporary novels

Here's the abstract:

Since the 2010s, Irish Young Adult (YA) literature has seen an increase in narratives that deal with intersectionality. Using Adiba Jaigirdar’s realistic contemporary novels – The Henna Wars (2020), Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating (2021), and The Dos and Donuts of Love (2023) – as case studies, the article examines how these works challenge traditional coming-of-age narratives through South-Asian-Irish adolescent protagonists who navigate complex intersections of race, sexuality, age, and religion in an Irish context. The article employs an intersectional framework, referencing Kimberlé Crenshaw’s concept, to assess how characters’ identities are shaped by overlapping categories of difference. Theoretical constructs by Marion Gymnich such as “voice,” “gaze,” “body,” and “agency” provide insight into how the texts reflect broader cultural negotiations of identity and belonging. Ultimately, the study illustrates how Jaigirdar’s narratives transcend conventional Irish YA themes, addressing issues of diversity with an emphasis on alterity and acceptance. The article argues that Jaigirdar’s narratives provide stories that positively depict diverse experiences within the Irish adolescent landscape. Furthermore, the article posits that such representations are crucial for an inclusive portrayal of “Irishness,” calling for a broader and more reflective approach to Irish YA literature that acknowledges diverse lived realities.