New BOOKSPO, and this time we’re talking about THE ELEVATOR, by Priya Ramsingh, a book about modern love that read like a breeze, but also tackles important questions about race, trauma, toxic relationships, eating disorders and life in the city. It’s the story of Aria and Rob, who are familiar to each other from encounters in their building’s elevator, and about what transpires between them when these nearly-strangers match on a dating app. Will they? Won’t they? The course of love never did run smooth! But along the way, we meet a wider cast of characters who comprise Rob and Aria’s community, including the wonderful Mila, a character whose creation was informed by Ramsingh’s reading of Vivek Shraya’s memoir, I’M AFRAID OF MEN.
Priya tells me about how her diverse and multicultural cast of characters was not by design, per se, but instead a reflection of the Toronto she lives in and wants to celebrate in the novel. And one of favourites (and those of many readers too!) is the character of Mila, Aria’s neighbour and friend, whose own story—growing up against the backdrop of her Filipino mother’s nail salon where she was supported and encouraged in subtle and interesting ways as she came into her identity as a trans woman—is just as captivating as those of the main characters. And while details of Mila’s life were indeed inspired by the memoir I’M AFRAID OF MEN (which Ramsingh notes she’d read before, and perhaps had lingered in her subsconscious) the character herself appeared to Ramsingh almost fully formed, which was the most wonderful creative gift.
Aria Ramdeen is learning to love herself—and her favourite foods—again. No guilt, no toxic boyfriend. Full of newfound confidence, she subscribes to LoveinTO, a Toronto-based dating website, where she’s matched with a crush she’s had for years: the attractive light-haired man who lives in her building. Aria messages him on the app, but there’s no response, leaving her quite embarrassed.
Rob Anderson, who’s recently divorced, secretly admires Aria. He just lacks the confidence to approach her. And since he’s let his LoveinTO subscription lapse, he doesn’t see Aria’s message. Suddenly, Aria seems guarded when they run into one another, and the pair endure months of long, awkward silences together in the elevator. Until one day, Rob decides to give the app another chance and subscribes again.
A fresh and entertaining modern story of two people from different backgrounds who find each other despite the pitfalls of dating technology, opinions from friends and family, and their own personal trauma. The Elevator will leave readers feeling hopeful about love, food and life in a big city.
Priya Ramsingh is a writer and photographer. Her debut novel, Brown Girl in the Room, was published by Tightrope Books (2017). Her short story, Pies for Lunch, was shortlisted for best short fiction in 2021 by The Caribbean Writer. She is a former reporter and diversity columnist for Metroland Media, and she continues to write op-eds for the Toronto Star. In her spare time, Priya is a wildlife photographer and naturalist. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Ramsingh now lives in Toronto. For more about Priya, please visit her website – https://priyaramsingh.ca/
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