‘Deviants’: A life-affirming, heartbreaking intergenerational novel about queer life in India

Santanu Bhattacharya’s Deviants tells the story of three generations of queer men, related by blood, separated by the times they live in. Deviants chronicles the lives of a young man named Vivaan, his uncle Mambro, and his grand-uncle Sukumar. Each of these characters experiences love in their unique ways, their sexual freedom dictated by the times they live in. In the end, what unites them is being at odds with a society which is governed by love laws and heteronormativity. This isolates them and drives them to feel shame at times. Tender and heartbreaking, these are tales of love, family, and dignity.

Vivaan: Emotional turmoil of new-age romantic relationships

Through Vivaan’s story, the reader explores the new-age experience of a 17-year-old boy experimenting with his sexuality. Vivaan’s partner Zee introduces him to a new world of sexual adventures and a trusting community of individuals who share sexual partners. It starts as an exciting adventure for Vivaan when he is made to expand his boundaries but it soon changes his relationship with Zee in ways he doesn’t want. Sex takes precedence over movie dates and emotional intimacy and Vivaan finds himself longing for his partner. The young men have no frame of reference for their relationship which...

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