Another Appalachia

Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place

By: Neema Avashia

Narrated by: Jeed Saddy

When Neema Avashia tells people where she's from, their response is nearly always a disbelieving "There are Indian people in West Virginia?" A queer Asian American teacher and writer, Avashia fits few Appalachian stereotypes. But the lessons she learned in childhood about race and class, gender and sexuality continue to inform the way she moves through the world today: how she loves, how she teaches, how she advocates, how she struggles.

Another Appalachia examines both the roots and the resonance of Avashia's identity as a queer desi Appalachian woman, while encouraging listeners to envision more complex versions of both Appalachia and the nation as a whole. With lyric and narrative explorations of foodways, religion, sports, standards of beauty, social media, gun culture, and more, Another Appalachia mixes nostalgia and humor, sadness and sweetness, personal reflection and universal questions.

©2022 West Virginia University Press (P)2022 Tantor

So many Appalachias

Listening to Avashia’s memories made me think about how similar in some ways West Virginians share many experiences and how very different our experiences are at the same time. Her writing is engaging and beautifully descriptive. And having lived in Massachusetts for a time, I enjoyed hearing about her work there, too.

The tale of two West Virginia’s separated by decades of hardship and how the true spirit of Appalachia still remains.

The story of being a youth in the small Appalachian state of West Virginia in the 1970’s-80’s before the tragic rapid decline in all aspects of life and populations that followed over the next three decades. Shows that special and kind nature that comes with being Appalachian that thanks to political manipulations has sent those who have remained down paths against their own interest and personal values.

I like the idea that her story was definitely unique being that she was East Indian and also a Hindu

Overall, it was very interesting and very informative and I might add educational because I have never considered a Hindu living in Appalachia and how unique her experience turned out to be yet she was definitely a survivor and will have many more interesting stories to tell. I will look and see what her other works or books alike.

A great & educational reading experience

4 stars

This is a unique look into life in Appalachia. I'm sure when most people think about West Virginia and the Rust Belt, I don't think Indian or queer comes to mind. White, cis-het, and conservative, probably. Granted, the Indian population isn't booming, but they are very much present. Same with the queer community. We are everywhere, and getting those intersecting perspectives from growing up there has been an educational experience. Ultimately, this book focuses on how experiences during our formative years shape how we see and experience the world. I really enjoyed this read, and I'm so glad I went out of my comfort zone to read it. Non-fiction is not typically my go-to, but this was worth it.