Fly on the Wall Press

This is the inestimable and unmissable Arathi Menon ... catch her in Manchester on 9th June talking about her novel 'Da' at Queer Lit, Gt Ancoats St at 7:00pm @fly_press @kenyon_isabelle @ArathiMen0n

Can you help? We’re launching the emotional rollercoaster and gorgeous literary fiction novel ‘Da’ by Arathi Menon at Queer Lit bookshop, Manchester, on Tuesday 9th of June. Unfortunately, we have been told that if we don’t have 25 attendees by next Friday, the event will be cancelled! We know how last minute event bookings usually are - and unfortunately we won’t have this promotional time now. Do you think you could share the event link to help us reach Manchester readers? socialrefuge.com/event-details/… This is a story of love between a father and a son. Inquisitive 13-year-old Ved’s entire universe is his adoptive father, Da. From cooking him the perfect biryani, to helping him navigate his first school dance and his first girlfriend, Da lets Ved be himself. Fiercely loving and fiercely protective, their relationship harbours a secret that could destroy them both: Da is gay at a time when Section 377, a colonial law, makes homosexuality a crime. Beyond the law, vigilante gangs prowl the shadows, targeting those they deem ‘unnatural’ as Da and Ved’s happy existence grows ever more fragile. Set in an Indian metropolis in 2013, Da is a tender story of a boy caught between devotion and fear, chronicling the everyday courage it takes to love someone the world refuses to accept. Expect an engaging and intimate discussion exploring identity, family, language, and the power of storytelling. This is a fantastic chance to hear directly from the author about the inspirations behind Da, her creative process, and the personal and cultural threads that inform her work. Whether you're a long‑time fan, a lover of queer literature, or simply curious to discover new voices, this event is for you. Bring your questions—there will be plenty of time for audience Q&A! Books will be available for purchase and signing. Date: June 9th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Hosted by: Queer Lit at Social Refuge.

What a gorgeous interview with @ArathiMen0n in @DESIblitz ! 'She continues: “Family prejudice is one of the most hurtful things LGBT+ people go through, you hear so many of them speak about ‘chosen families’. “They have to leave home and find support systems outside of familial units.” “Centring the story of Da within a family structure helped me root the story in an ordinary reality while exploring an extraordinary relationship.” That tension often leads to silence. Families may prioritise social acceptance over honesty, creating an environment where secrecy becomes necessary. Menon captures how intolerance operates in different forms. It can be visible and aggressive, but it can also work quietly, shaping behaviour through fear and expectation. “Intolerance can be loud and hectoring. But it can also be quiet and insidious. “The world of Da explores both these traps created to suffocate the choice of an individual who dared to follow their authentic self.”' desiblitz.com/content/arathi…