By The Book: Book Club August 2022 - The Accidental Malay

For this month's Book Club, we review 2022 Epigram Books Fiction Prize winner The Accidental Malay, by Karina Robles Bahrin - a novel centred upon Jasmine Leong, the heir apparent of a billion-ringgit bak kwa company, until she discovers that she is a Malay Muslim. We discuss how the book uses a deceptively light touch to explore much heavier themes around religion and freedom of choice in Malaysia, and whether it manages to do so successfully. We close things off with a discussion - and a primer of sorts! - on chick lit.