Dinner on Monster Island

More about the book

In this engaging and intimate collection of personal essays, Lambda Literary Award finalist Tania De Rozario reflects on her experiences growing up as a queer, brown, fat girl in Singapore. Blending memoir with elements of history, pop culture, horror films, and current events, she explores the nature of monsters and the meaning of difference. At just twelve, Tania faced a harrowing attempt by her mother and church friends to "exorcise" her perceived wickedness due to her boyish demeanor. This pivotal moment revealed that monsters can exist within families and communities, challenging the notion that they are merely fictional. Through her memoir, Tania examines how society often views difference as deviance, damage, or disobedience. As she shares her story, she uncovers the complex, sometimes kind and sometimes monstrous facets of humanity. Additionally, she analyzes the portrayal of women in horror films like *Carrie*, *The Witch*, and *The Ring*, highlighting how women are often depicted as monsters and how real-life monsters defy expectations. Written with lyrical candor and sprinkled with humor and optimism, this collection offers a deeply personal exploration of identity, monsters, and the worlds they inhabit, making it a resonant and thought-provoking read.