Book Review: "Confused Spice" by Mathis Bailey

I enjoyed this novel for more than one reason. Ever since meeting the author Mathis Bailey at the Toronto Urban Book Expo, I have looked forward to opening the pages of "Confused Spice." I follow Mathis on social media, and have seen him make major advances with his book: a placement in Chapters/Indigo (huge) and other signings and promotions. I knew the story would be good, and now I can finally understand what makes it such a gem.

Needless to say, I love that the book takes place in Scarborough, Ontario, my hometown. I love the local references, the familiar landmarks, and the contemporary feel to the plot, as though it were happening in real time. I could picture the main characters driving down McCowan, or heading downtown to Toronto to get a bite to eat.

As the title implies, the book is heavy on food appreciation! Author Mathis is a trained journalist and food connoisseur, and both talents are evident in the text. I appreciated the lessons in cuisine, culture, and the details provided through the characters' experiences with cooking, with Indian, Indo-Caribbean, and African-American cultures...and even a glimpse into Buddhism and meditation. It's like a cultural experience getting to know not only the characters, but also their passions, their ethnic traditions, and how they are intertwined into their daily activities, choices, and passions.

Like any good novel, the elements of drama and mix-up within "Confused Spice" were also fantastic--a few scandals, illicit love affairs, high-profile careers, and meddling parents.

Vijay Khakwani and Pierre Jackson mature, evolve, and approach their twenties through the pages of this book. I definitely loved their story lines, individually, and as a unit. With an ongoing hint of romance (but mainly anticipation), all of these elements came together in a very current, and very sophisticated look at a potential relationship and definite friendship. 

"Confused Spice" is exactly what is presents to be...a spicy story about two young men who are independently working their way through a confusing and transitional time in life. I believe their positions with work, with love, and with themselves are common for any 30-year-old city dweller who is presented with an exciting environment and plenty of options (both physically and entertainment-wise) to make the process of self-discovery, and finding one's place a complicated one.

They were definitely confused at times. And oh yes, there was definitely some spice!

While the story flirted with the idea of physical encounters, Mathis didn't fill all of the pages with vivid descriptions. That being said, I found myself eagerly turning the pages of the book wondering when, and how, and why Vijay and Pierre would finalllllly kiss, or finally have an encounter of their own.

So while the narrative of Pierre working his way through an engagement and simultaneously advancing in his career as a food blogger is exciting, there was an underlying mood of needing more! Pierre had a great job lined up, a hot and successful fiance (who happened to drive a Maserati, which tells you everything you need to know about De'Andre), and a great personality...but what he was missing was fire. Passion. Reassurance.

Pierre was a good friend, and a loyal boo to Dre, but while making sure everyone else's needs were being taken care of, he spent most of the book longing for comfort of his own. This is what makes his character lovable. A Detroit native who moved to Toronto to follow the dreams of his significant other...Pierre seemed to be the one who had to sacrifice the most, in order to see others around him happy. Fortunately, his family was supportive and loving...and his options were pretty great.

That being said, his fiance/boyfriend Dre seemed too cool for the type of comfort a man like Pierre deserved. While they are together throughout the book, as a reader...there wasn't any sign of hope or wanting the two of them to work things out. Even though Dre presented well on paper (I mean, he drove a Maserati!), he didn't exactly seem like the type of man that would be able to put Pierre's needs first at any point in time. Pierre existed, and Dre navigated the world at his own speed. Power. Success. And drama...(spoiler alert: Dre has an affair with a woman and work and gets her pregnant?!?!) 

So that leaves us with Vijay, the character that goes through the most transitioning in the novel, and somehow still leaves the reader with a bit of mystery even as the story concludes. Vijay is a cool dude, drives a speedy Acura around Scarborough, he's thugged out, and very confident in his appeal. He has his pick of any Indian girl in the city, and his mother's success ensures that he'll be able to marry and provide for any one he chooses.

But Vijay is unsatisfied, and for sure confused for the majority of the book. His friendship with Pierre has him confused, as he is drawn to this loving fella that lives across the hall, but yet still needs to fulfil the dreams of his family, his mental prototype of who he "should" be...and ignore the sexual feelings and intimate wishes he has for Pierre.

All of these character developments, plus an awesome and familiar background of Scarborough, Toronto, and the foods, music, and culture that makes this city what is it, are wonderfully depicted in this novel.

I loved it. I loved the growth. I loved the fact that it didn't end "neatly," but that Pierre and Vijay both had some more growing, and exploring, and figuring out life to do (as any 30-year-old would), and it leaves the reader feeling satisfied...but still hoping for the best.

So now I have to look and see what Mathis is up to, and what happens to Pierre in the next novel "Brown Sugar & Spice"...I'm ready to see what happens, and if Pierre and Vijay decide to connect, or grow in new directions.

Well done, Mr. Bailey! A great read!

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Written by Stacey Marie Robinson for Kya Publishing's blog.