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what_heather_loves's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
"'I wanted a name that conveyed the warmth of spice and the cold of the Arctic. 'What about The Arctic Curry Club?'...I felt a rush of pride. Naming things brought them to life."
Early thirties, mixed-race Maya lost her Indian mum when she was eight and moved, with her white, British father to the UK. She has no memories of her childhood in Bangalore, assuming losing her mum was traumatic. She is beginning the adventure of a lifetime, moving to Longyearbyen in the Arctic with boyfriend Ryan, who has a job there. Maya is a planner and a list-maker, but suffers terribly with anxiety. Whilst outgoing Ryan settles in quickly, Maya struggles with the climate and the culture, feeling lonely.
A visit to Bangalore for her dad's wedding to family friend Uma, results in Maya being given her mum's recipe book. A local tour company seeking a cook, back in the Arctic, gives her the courage to try the recipes; each taste causes childhood memories to coming flooding back, some good and some difficult. Will Maya make a success of her new role, will she discover more about her childhood and will she find her way in the world?
Told from likeable but vulnerable, Maya's perspective makes for an engaging read. Split into four parts, it's dominated by both the harsh Arctic winter and Maya's vulnerabilities (relying on Ryan and dealing with the impacts of her childhood memories returning). The cast of characters she encounters, both in the Arctic and in India, add to the atmosphere and as Maya's confidence grows she is able to make better decisions for herself.
Drawn from the author's experiences of the Artic and of Indian cuisine, this is more than heartwarming uplit, it also feels realistic and emotive, about community and belonging. Perfect for chilly days and nights, for fans of Libby Page and Ericka Waller.
Thank you Avon Books for my ARC and for the recipe and rice.
Early thirties, mixed-race Maya lost her Indian mum when she was eight and moved, with her white, British father to the UK. She has no memories of her childhood in Bangalore, assuming losing her mum was traumatic. She is beginning the adventure of a lifetime, moving to Longyearbyen in the Arctic with boyfriend Ryan, who has a job there. Maya is a planner and a list-maker, but suffers terribly with anxiety. Whilst outgoing Ryan settles in quickly, Maya struggles with the climate and the culture, feeling lonely.
A visit to Bangalore for her dad's wedding to family friend Uma, results in Maya being given her mum's recipe book. A local tour company seeking a cook, back in the Arctic, gives her the courage to try the recipes; each taste causes childhood memories to coming flooding back, some good and some difficult. Will Maya make a success of her new role, will she discover more about her childhood and will she find her way in the world?
Told from likeable but vulnerable, Maya's perspective makes for an engaging read. Split into four parts, it's dominated by both the harsh Arctic winter and Maya's vulnerabilities (relying on Ryan and dealing with the impacts of her childhood memories returning). The cast of characters she encounters, both in the Arctic and in India, add to the atmosphere and as Maya's confidence grows she is able to make better decisions for herself.
Drawn from the author's experiences of the Artic and of Indian cuisine, this is more than heartwarming uplit, it also feels realistic and emotive, about community and belonging. Perfect for chilly days and nights, for fans of Libby Page and Ericka Waller.
Thank you Avon Books for my ARC and for the recipe and rice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault
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