Straight to Normal: My Life as a Gay Man

The best thing about the book is that, it is one of a kind. You don't find many Indian gay men writing autobiographies. Much of my appreciation for this book I have to attribute to this fact; maybe a little more than I'd like.

Over 200 odd pages, Sharif describes his life's ups and downs - the numerous relationships he's had (not being judgmental, but that part is a little exhausting), the support and hostility of the people around him, his feelings and choices.

It is a brave attempt. Though of course, he's been brave way before he started writing a book.
He certainly bagged the first, but not the best, I hope. At times it felt like an essay, than a coherent life story. And times TMI?(considering the genre) I mean do you really want to know what Sufal said, looking down the author's pants?

Saying it was repetitive is probably offensive, ‘cause it's a guy's life, but it does get a little tiring in the later half. I wish his writing style was a little more engaging. LGBTQ literature in India is sparse, compared to the scene in the West. So I have only respect the pioneer.

“Many of us spent a larger part of our lives gathering courage to be oursleves”
- somebody the author knows.

I read this out of curiosity, ‘cause the LGBTQ scene in India is all hushed up. Pick it up if you are curious; along with loads of uninteresting info about the author's family, you'll get to know it from a person who has gone through it all.