About this episode

Andrea Gunraj discusses her collection of essays exploring the legacy of indentured servitude and its impact on identity.

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with author Andrea Gunraj about her collection of essays, Go-Between Girl: My Indentured Roots as Reclaimed Present (McClelland & Stewart, 2026). The under-told legacy of indentured servitude runs through the blood of countless descendants in the diaspora. In this deeply felt collection of essays, Andrea Gunraj explores the impact of her family’s history on her sense of self.Andrea Gunraj delves into the under-told legacy of indentured labour and its lasting impacts on descendants across diasporas, from the Caribbean and Latin America to Canada, the United States, and beyond. She captures the complexities of belonging and the challenges of navigating dichotomies. Through the concept of “go-betweenness,” Gunraj illustrates her path from the intersections of race, class, and identity to a broader understanding of colonial histories.A gripping read that weaves memoir with history and cultural criticism, Go-Between Girl is both accessible and profound, intimate and political. Gunraj invites readers to reconsider their narratives about work, love, and heritage. Her essays are a touching testament to the enduring quest for justice…

People in this episode

Host: Hollay Ghadery

Guest: Andrea Gunraj

Topics covered

• indentured servitude
• family history
• identity
• colonial histories
• race
• feminism

Keywords

• indentured labour
• diaspora
• belonging
• memoir
• cultural criticism
• justice
• colonialism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: McClelland & Stewart

Books & works: Go-Between Girl: My Indentured Roots as Reclaimed Present, The Lost Sister, The Sudden Disappearance of Seetha

Places: Toronto

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