Buy Forbidden
Special: $10.58(Regular price: $17.99)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format: Hardcover
Reviewer: Melissa on June 28, 2011
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Lochan and Maya (17 and 16 respectively) have always felt closer than the average brother and sister siblings. When other brothers and sisters were bickering, they saw each other as friends. Good thing because together they’ve needed to step in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to care for their three younger siblings. More like parents to the little ones and partners to each other, is it any wonder that they’ve fallen in love? While they know that love between siblings is wrong, they can’t seem to stop what seems soo right. Love like this can only end in an overwhelmingly tragic way.
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma was recommended to me back in November 2010 by a blogger from the UK, where it was initially released. I’m glad that it was on my radar because this emotionally difficult, but ultimately rewarding novel is one that will stick with me for awhile to come. If you pick it up, then you’ll undoubtedly have a lot to say about this boundary-pushing, taboo-breaking, and beautifully written look at love.
Stories of forbidden romance are older than Shakespeare, but of course, they were popularized by its portrayal in Romeo And Juliet and Hamlet, if you take Sigmund Freud’s interpretation to heart. (Both of these play make an appearance in this novel.) But Suzuma takes this theme to the extreme as the alternating sibling narrators, Lochan and Maya, begin to recognize and develop romantic feelings for one another. While this isn’t the first time that the subject of brother/sister incest has come up in a young adult novel, think V.C. Andrew’s Flowers In The Attic, Forbidden explores the subject in a much fuller and more meaningful way. While Andrews wrote books that are the literary version of a soap opera, Suzuma explores the larger ramifications of all types of sexual arousal and contact between siblings, including the risks to Lochan and May’s precariously held together family.
At the same time, this novel forces readers to take a closer look at our stereotypes surrounding this type of illicit relationship. Suzuma asks us to consider how it compares with an inappropriate and consensual relationship between a student and teacher for example. At other times, she confronts stereotypes surrounding incest in general and whether its possible to have an incestuous relationship that is truly consensual. Finally, and most importantly to the narrative, would they have ever fallen in love had they not been forced to consider themselves as equals who were making decisions for the welfare of their younger siblings for years? Simultaneously, it explores the issues of neglect, depression, and social anxiety disorder. All of these questions highlight the reality that right and wrong aren’t always black and white.
While I think this is a really well-done novel, I will say that it isn’t for everyone. Forbiddendoesn’t shy away from highlighting difficult and uncomfortable scenes, including aspects of the physical relationship between the two main characters. However, those who do pick it up despite ambiguous feelings they may have about it at first, will be glad they did.
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Melissa has always been a voracious reader of fiction and has an M.A. in English Literature to prove it. Like many other adults, she got caught up in the young adult crossover fiction phenomenon. Now, one of her great joys comes from sharing her love of YA lit on this popular review site. Come with expectations of intellect, magic, and honest reviews, and you won’t be disappointed.
