Last May, I made my first ever blog post on Shelf Promotion “Books You May Read this May” where I talked about various books to read for Mental Health Awareness Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, and Jewish Heritage Month. One of the books in that post I talked about the novel, “Your Driver Is Waiting” by Priya Guns, which I also read and partially reviewed in my first post of this year “The Best (and worst) Books I read in 2024.” So, with this being my last post this semester and to somewhat celebrate the posts I mentioned above I figured I would give a full review of Guns’s novel!
About the Book:
Priya Guns is a Canadian-Sri Lankan writer, actress, and activist whose debut novel “Your Driver Is Waiting” made waves upon its release in 2023. With a background in both literature and performance, Guns brings a fierce, witty, and socially conscious voice to her fiction. Her work engages with issues of identity, capitalism, and resistance, all of which feature prominently in her first novel. “Your Driver Is Waiting” is a modern-day feminist retelling of the 1970s cult classic “Taxi Driver,” originally written by Paul Schrader and famously brought to life by Martin Scorsese. Guns reimagines this story through the lens of a queer, South Asian rideshare driver navigating gig work, systemic injustice, and personal disillusionment in an unnamed North American city. The novel blends biting satire with raw emotional insight, creating a story that is as provocative as it is timely.
The story centers on Damani, a queer Tamil woman in her twenties, working long hours as a rideshare driver to make ends meet after the death of her father. Damani lives in a precarious world where the promises of hard work and progress are undermined by systemic racism, economic instability, and the gig economy’s exploitation. Damani’s routine of exhaustion and survival is disrupted when she meets Jolene, a wealthy, white, seemingly progressive woman. As their relationship deepens, Damani becomes hopeful for connection and maybe even change. However, she soon discovers that Jolene’s activism is more performative than revolutionary. The novel escalates toward a breaking point as Damani contends with the betrayal of her ideals and the harsh realities of navigating a world that continually marginalizes her.
Review of the Book:
“Your Driver Is Waiting” is a fantastic debut that delivers incisive social commentary through dark humor and its sharply drawn protagonist. I really enjoyed Guns’s prose, it is energetic and voice-driven, immersing the reader in Damani’s perspective. One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its unapologetic tone, Damani is angry, disillusioned, and unapologetically herself, which makes her a refreshing and realistic character in contemporary fiction. Guns also excels at satirizing modern liberal performativity and critiquing the superficial allyship often found in activist circles. Her depiction of the gig economy is both scathing and highly detailed, highlighting the precariousness of labor and the emotional toll of economic inequality. The novel’s setting also provides a backdrop that feels urgent and familiar, enhancing the reader’s sense of immersion.
Despite its many strengths, the novel has some shortcomings. I felt that the relationship between Damani and Jolene, while central to the plot, sometimes lacks the emotional nuance necessary to fully engage the reader. Their dynamic can feel rushed, and Jolene’s character is underdeveloped in comparison to Damani, which weakens the emotional impact of the novel’s climax. The pacing of the book is also uneven. The first half builds momentum with strong character work and social commentary, but the second half can feel disjointed as it barrels toward a chaotic and somewhat unresolved conclusion. Some readers may find the lack of clear resolution frustrating, particularly those who prefer more structured narrative arcs, but like in some of my previous reviews, I disagree with this point because it fits the queer narrative of the story.
In all, “Your Driver Is Waiting” is a bold and timely novel that captures the rage and exhaustion of living on society’s margins. Priya Guns has crafted a story that is both personal and political, a modern-day howl against systemic injustice. Though uneven in parts, the novel’s biting wit and urgent themes make it a standout debut for readers drawn to socially conscious fiction with a sharp edge. I wouldn’t say this is my favorite novel of the year (for that read my previous post) but I would still recommend it for its many strengths. Happy Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and if you want some other recommendations for this month, as well as the other awareness celebrations, be sure to check out my post from last year!
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