Next Time Will Be Our Turn, Jesse Q. Sutanto (Review by Karina Kaushal)

Rating: 5.0/5 Stars

True to Jesse Q. Sutanto style, this book was rich with culture. It was so informative about Chindo (Chinese-Indonesian) culture and as an East Indian, it was surprisingly relatable. I was surprised to learn how much of Chindo belief systems align with those of Indians and enjoyed feeling seen. 

This is a powerful, coming of age story about a woman, named Magnolia, finding voice in a patriarchal society. She builds bonds with other women – her best friend, her sister, her niece, her mother, and others. Her relationships with these women shape her own identity and push her to be herself in a world that prefers submissive, compliant women. 

This book follows her along her journey, touching on generations and different continents, to figuring out her LGBTQ identity. It was an eye-opening, moving experience. It illustrates the internal conflict, cultural expectations, family dynamics and societal pressures that complicate the process of finding love and joy. 

Next Time Will Be Our Turn will have you laughing at Jesse Q. Sutanto’s humorous prose, raging against the patriarchy and crying about the twists and turns of simply existing. A recommended read for anyone that enjoys feminist narratives.