Nayan Olak’s life was shattered when his young son died in an accident, an experience his marriage did not survive. He’s still friends with his ex-wife who has managed to move on, finding happiness in a new relationship. And just recently Nayan too has become tentatively involved with a woman called Helen whom he remembers from their youth but who has been away from the town for many years until her recent return. But on the whole Nayan is alone, immersing himself entirely in his work and vocation as a union rep. The imminent retiral of the general secretary of the union means there’s a vacancy, and Nayan is expected by all to be elected overwhelmingly to the office – a position that he has seemed destined to fill. But then someone else puts herself forward for the job – Megha, a young woman who only came into the union recently and works as its diversity officer. At first she is seen as no real competition, until she makes a claim that Nayan bullied her, even threatened her, an allegation that Nayan finds baffling and assumes no one who knows him will believe…

I loved this. The writing is great, and Nayan is an absolutely convincing character who reminded me of so many of the best of the union leaders I knew in my own union days. The book is told mainly in the third person, framed inside a first person narrative from an acquaintance of Nayan’s who is being told the story by him, so that it’s mainly Nayan’s point of view that the reader is getting. So we too are somewhat baffled by Megha’s allegations, especially since Nayan seems like the least likely person in the world to bully anyone. But while that is the hook the plot hangs on, in reality the book is much more an examination of traditional union values versus what have come to be known as ‘woke’ values, or identity politics.

Nayan believes that too much emphasis is being placed on identity, be it race, gender or sexuality, and that this is divisive. For him, it’s all about class – inequality in wealth and opportunity – and working-class people being ground under the heel of capitalism regardless of their colour or creed. Dividing people into separate sections all demanding separate rights and claiming that their victimhood is worse than other people’s victimhood is to him against all the principles of class solidarity he has fought for all his life. Megha, however, is younger and woker, and believes that it’s impossible to overlook the impact of racism and sexism – her idea for the union is that it should promote diversity, which Nayan also believes, but for her each minority must be seen as separate and policy must be created to lift each group individually rather than as part of a mass.

It’s the big political argument of the day, until recently being won by the proponents of identity politics, although that worm is not so much turning as being trodden underfoot by the move to the right which it is in large part causing. Sahota explores it brilliantly, I thought, and while I was entirely on Nayan’s side of the debate (he was preaching to the long converted), he made it just as possible to be on Megha’s side too. The main reason that I thought it worked so well is that both Nayan and Megha are from minority racial backgrounds, as of course Sahota is too, thus removing white dominance and tedious accusations of racism from the discussion. Secondly, these are both people firmly on the left, so the debate can be had without anyone being lazily dismissed as “far right” for straying an inch from identity politics orthodoxy.

Sahota handles the question of bullying very well too, showing that often it is as much a matter of perception as provable fact. It is, he shows, quite possible for someone to honestly believe they are being bullied, while the alleged bully just as honestly believes the allegation to be incredible. What then, he asks the reader to consider? Do we believe all claims – of sexism, racism, bullying, etc.? Or do we require more evidence, more corroboration, more consideration, before we destroy someone’s career over an allegation? What if someone has been in a managerial role for years and no one else has ever called him a bully? Is one claim enough? Even if the alleged victim honestly believes she’s been bullied, isn’t it permissible to tell her she’s wrong – that ‘her truth’ has no more automatic validity than ‘his truth’? To be honest, the one weakness of the book is that I felt Sahota took the easy way out on this question in the end, which rather diluted the interesting questions he had raised.

The third section of the story takes the book away from the political sphere and gives it the human angle that is so necessary in a novel. It’s made up of three aspects – Nayan’s grief over his son, the death of his mother long ago in a house fire, and his growing involvement with Helen. There is a mild mystery in there which gets resolved, but it’s really the emotional elements of it that matter. Each aspect gives another perspective on Nayan, building together to explain the man he has become. Because his life is otherwise rather empty, we see how important his work is to him, with the union giving him a sense of family, so that the loss of his standing in that community would be devastating. Even if he did unintentionally do something that could be interpreted as bullying, does he deserve to lose so much after a lifetime of trying to raise others?

A great novel that engaged both my heart and brain – I shall be eagerly looking forward to reading more from Sahota.

A wonderful novel. Nayan is a unionist, who sees it as a done deal that he will become general secretary. However a young women enters the fray and turns it all upside down. This is a multi-layered exploration of equity and solidarity.

This book takes an often overplayed trope and discussion- that of 'cancel culture' and more deeply investigates the topic in a way that feels fresh and wise.

We follow characters in a union, and watch how two lives in particular are destroyed or almost destroyed by various crises and online posts. But more than this, the book explores the various reasons that people might seek to destroy, and what that destruction can look like, which I felt elevated this above the more lukewarm takes on the topic, and built into something more sophisticated.

I found the Spoiled Heart to be a really interesting and unusual read. Political and cultural themes are intertwined with a human tragedy and we learn more about this tragedy via two friends reconnecting after many years apart. Whilst I did enjoy this book, I felt somewhat disconnected from the characters and I wasn't as absorbed by the story as I would have liked to be.

Sunjeev Sahota's novel, *The Spoiled Heart*, is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the long-lasting impact of the past. The story unfolds gently, with Sahota's prose drawing readers into the life of Nayan, a man struggling with grief, guilt, and the echoes of a devastating tragedy.

What makes this novel particularly special is its nuanced portrayal of love, loss, and redemption. Sahota bravely confronts difficult emotions, capturing the rawness of grief and the enduring power of love with remarkable sensitivity. The characters are well-developed and deeply relatable, their imperfections and vulnerabilities enhancing their realism.

Although the plot unfolds slowly rather than explosively, this gradual approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the characters' inner lives. The novel serves as a poignant reflection on how our past experiences shape our present, highlighting the capacity of the human heart for healing and hope even in the face of profound pain.

*The Spoiled Heart* lingers in your mind long after you turn the final page. It stands as a testament to Sahota's skill as a writer and is a must-read for anyone who values nuanced and emotionally resonant storytelling.

Very different when compared to previous books that I've loved; where The Year of the Runaways and China Room were more heartfelt, I think this had a harder tone to it and a lot more complexity in terms of politics, race and ethics. Certainly thought provoking and, at times, intense. As beautifully written as I have come to expect from Sunjeev Sahota, and I appreciate the change in tone.

This was my first experience with this author, and I was thoroughly impressed.

The novel delves into complex themes of race, class, and the interplay of grief, trauma, and love within the context of a workers' union. It offers a compelling exploration of the human experience in all its dimensions.

The narrative weaves multiple storylines, with recurring themes of trauma, hidden secrets, and regret, juxtaposed with the protagonists' struggles to do what they believe is right. The portrayal of racism and class issues is nuanced, revealing the characters' own biases and preconceptions, often unintentionally.

The writing is captivating, and the characters feel authentically real. The underlying melancholy adds depth, making the moments of joy more poignant.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via NetGalley.

I really couldn’t get into this story at all. The narration confused me and the characters seemed two dimensional and I didn’t really connect with any of them. Not for me.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

This was a really enjoyable read & a very interesting approach from the author as the story is told from the point of view of a third party.
This is an incredibly heartbreaking story with some of the characters having lived through unspeakable tragedy, this mixed in with the exploration of politics, trade unions, race & class in Britain makes a really interesting & compelling read.

The Spoiled Heart is a wonderfully thought-provoking read that is also a hard read at times as it explores difficult & important topics.

Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now even if I enjoyed this book. as it's well plotted, twisty and entertaining. I liked the good storytelling
A more extensive review will follow
Recommended.Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Spoiled Heart is a gripping read from the first page, propelled by keen insights into modern life and a vivid cast of characters. Superb and surprising.

Set in Sheffield, The Spoiled Heart follows Nayan Olak, a middle-aged man haunted by the loss of his mother and young son in a fire twenty years prior. Initially introduced by Sajjan, a writer intrigued by Nayan's transformation from a well-liked Union representative to a reclusive YouTube commentator, the novel unfolds through Sajjan's visits during the Covid lockdowns.

Sajjan, our narrator, offers perspectives not only from Nayan but also from Helen, who returns to Sheffield with her teenage son, and Megha, Nayan's rival in his bid for General Secretary of the Union. The plot intertwines Nayan's personal relationships, including his growing bond with Helen and Brandon, with his political struggles against Megha, a young, privileged Black woman.

The novel delves into Nayan’s personal and political life, with the unreliable narrator aspect adding intrigue. While the ending’s reveal may feel underwhelming, the story remains engaging and well-crafted.

I really enjoyed this, a political story about a man with his own determined stand on politics, taking on leadership and promoting his own way - but when a rival steps up to challenge him for the leadership, suddenly things do not lie on a straightforward path anymore.

Some interesting characters, and a not too intense look at politics.

A clever, engrossing novel about class, race, union politics, identity politics and family, set in the Chesterfield/Sheffield area. A narrative device Sunjeev Sahota uses where the story is being told by a writer friend of the main character (or, at least, someone from his community who has known him a little for years), is a little confusing. It feels like an omniscient narrator is telling the story and then we are reminded it’s not. This works better as the book progresses (it’s clever), but at the beginning it feels a bit jarring and I wasn’t sure who was speaking. It’s an intelligent read with strong, believable characters and a compelling narrative.

Nayan Olak is a union leader and decides to run for General Secretary.

Interesting approach in that it is told through the eyes of a third party…necessary so that the back story can be revealed bit by bit.

I found this an immensely sad book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I fell in love with Sahota’s writing when I read China room. Just like in that book, The Spoiled heart was an exploration of race, family relationships and dynamics.

Set in post-Covid Sheffield, a writer is curious about Nayan’s story and is in search of the truth behind the fire that left Nayan’s mum and 4 year old son. Nayan is coming to terms with his grief by diving deep into his work and candidacy for Deputy Secretary of a union. This is where the reader sees a lot of the classism vs racism debate.

Very engaging and with a plot twist of a revelation at the end, this book was hard to put down before reaching the end. Can’t wait for the next publication by Sunjeev Sahota.

It took me a while to really get into the story and now all I can say is that it was brilliant. There is a political angle dealing with race and class, but there is also a family tragedy with lifelong impact. Above all, it’s a story of guilt and grief. The characters are remarkable and develop well throughout the story. I felt deeply for Nayan and didn't quite understand his attraction to Helen. Sunjeev Sahota proves again that he is a gifted writer and I can't wait to see what he writes next.

Not an easy book to read, partly because of the tragedy which befalls some of the characters but also because of the entangled relationships between the main characters. There is a strong political element which is concerned with racial and gender politics, told both in the present time but also in family histories of immigrant families with limited life options. There is also an aspect of child poverty and the long reaching effects this too can have in adulthood. I found it difficult to get into the storyline initially, though once I did, I enjoyed the book. Definately a book that takes a lot of thinking about and not a quick and easy read.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC . 3,5 stars , but will round up to 4

'"You'll be missed. You've been this place's beating heart." Hearts get spoiled – a cheap thought.'

When Helen Fletcher and her teenage son Brandon return to the English town where she grew up, Nayan Olak becomes fascinated by her, despite her steely and offish manner. Why did she return now? Why did she leave in the first place?

Twenty years earlier, Nayan's mother and four-year-old son died in a house fire. It was arson but no one was ever caught. It destroyed Nayan's marriage.

Now, to an outsider, it may appear he's moved on. Nayan is running for general secretary of Britain's largest union, with a victory all but guaranteed. His compatriot Megha's own race is beset with problems, and no one seems interested in her more radical ideas about race and class.

As Nayan slowly starts to know Helen, he discovers awful secrets that will change his life. And his political campaign begins to unravel.

This book is an intimate look at family secrets, how love isn't always enough, how hubris can bring you down, and how the smallest decisions can have devastating consequences.

I enjoyed this book but was initially a bit confused by the purpose of the omniscient first-person narrator, who is purporting to write Nayan's life story, but really just wants to satisfy his own curiosity. The pace is slow, and at times I was a bit bored. I don't mind slow-burn books, but very little really happens for large parts of the story.

I thought the author's exploration of Nayan and Helen, and their respective downfalls, was intriguing and full of depth. I just wished that the plot supported that depth a little more.

It’s a pleasant surprise to read a book that is set in Sheffield- Chesterfield area. The action is mainly involving working class and trade union figures. It is almost like two stories – how the tragic incidents in Nayan’s life are played into his future and the machinations within a trade union hierarchy. A further twist is the portrayal of Nayan’s actions towards his leadership rival – illustrating just how easy it is to manipulate people’s views via social media..
Overall, great passages of this narrative dragged and other sections were a great read.