Meera Syal: Anita and Me- Modern texts and poetry – June 2018

In “Anita and Me,” a book by Meera Syal, the protagonist Meena’s experiences are greatly influenced by her family. The novel explores the complicated relationships between family members, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of growing up in a close-knit community. It is set in the 1960s in a small mining village in the West Midlands.

Meena’s relationship with her family, especially her parents and grandparents, is at the centre of the book. Shyam and Daljit, Meena’s parents, are Indian immigrants who are finding it difficult to fit in a neighbourhood that is largely composed of white people. As a result, family life is portrayed as a haven from the prejudice and hostility people encounter outside of their immediate family. In order to strike a balance between their traditional values and their desire to assimilate into British culture, Meena’s parents are portrayed as loving but strict.