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coffeekitaab's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book felt like I was coming home, a really warm hug, tackling sensitive topics such as grief, identity, racism, mental health and relationships in a beautiful and poignant way; the story flows across the pages.
The Things That We Lost is about Avani and Nik, a mother and son from Harrow, London. Avani who grew up in a Gujarati-Kenyan household, treads the boundary between different cultures, trying to establish her identity. She marries Elliot, her childhood friend, whose untimely death forms the premise of the story and how it impacts everyones' life. Nik, their son, is born after his father passes away. Having never known him, and whom/ what he has lost, his life is filled with a quagmire of unanswered questions . His mother is unwilling and unable to answer them as she deals with her own trauma. Before his grandfather dies, he leaves Nik a key which leads to a deep exploration. The death of a loved one triggering something else; an exposure of secrets and truths which were hidden until now.
None of the themes and narratives felt clichéd or repetitive despite the characters tackling their own demons. The dual time lines running parallel through the book was interesting for Avani and Nik's character development showing them grow up almost together but in different generations, decades apart.
Jyoti's writing style is discreetly powerful, gentle and intimate. Avani, in one scene, speaks of being unable to relay her grief because of the multitude of languages that can be used to translate it may distort the expression. A beautiful real concept, presented in a poignant and gentle way. The book is filled with such moments . This coupled with the notion that perhaps, ultimately, grief is a language of its own. Definitely a book to look out for on 12th January! I cannot wait to read more from Jyoti Patel.
Thank you @netgalley @randomhouseUK @cornerstone and @merkybooks for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Things That We Lost is about Avani and Nik, a mother and son from Harrow, London. Avani who grew up in a Gujarati-Kenyan household, treads the boundary between different cultures, trying to establish her identity. She marries Elliot, her childhood friend, whose untimely death forms the premise of the story and how it impacts everyones' life. Nik, their son, is born after his father passes away. Having never known him, and whom/ what he has lost, his life is filled with a quagmire of unanswered questions . His mother is unwilling and unable to answer them as she deals with her own trauma. Before his grandfather dies, he leaves Nik a key which leads to a deep exploration. The death of a loved one triggering something else; an exposure of secrets and truths which were hidden until now.
None of the themes and narratives felt clichéd or repetitive despite the characters tackling their own demons. The dual time lines running parallel through the book was interesting for Avani and Nik's character development showing them grow up almost together but in different generations, decades apart.
Jyoti's writing style is discreetly powerful, gentle and intimate. Avani, in one scene, speaks of being unable to relay her grief because of the multitude of languages that can be used to translate it may distort the expression. A beautiful real concept, presented in a poignant and gentle way. The book is filled with such moments . This coupled with the notion that perhaps, ultimately, grief is a language of its own. Definitely a book to look out for on 12th January! I cannot wait to read more from Jyoti Patel.
Thank you @netgalley @randomhouseUK @cornerstone and @merkybooks for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Racial slurs
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