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bookishlibrarian 's review for:
Everybody Says It's Everything
by Xhenet Aliu
Drita and Pete are twins of Albanian heritage adopted by an Italian family. Now in their 20s, their lives have diverged in ways that reflect their personalities. Good girl Drita has dropped out to take care of their mother (and resents it). Derelict Pete has disappeared, having run out on his girlfriend Shanda and son Dakota.
When Shanda and Dakota return to town in need of help, Drita reluctantly becomes involved and is determined to find out what happened to Pete. Pete, meanwhile, has become involved with a group of Albanian immigrants radicalized by what is happening in Kosovo. In trying to track down her brother, Drita also learns more about her Albanian heritage and, more revealingly, family secrets.
We also get the story of Jackie, the twin's adoptive mother, who is paraplegic and her story is also slowly revealed alongside the twins. I really enjoyed the author's debut, Brass, so was eager to pick this one up. I appreciated the insight into Albanian history and culture, and the sibling dynamic (though I wish we had a little more of them as children to understand where they ended up as adults). While I found parts of all three stories compelling, I also found aspects unsubtle, particularly in how they tied together.
When Shanda and Dakota return to town in need of help, Drita reluctantly becomes involved and is determined to find out what happened to Pete. Pete, meanwhile, has become involved with a group of Albanian immigrants radicalized by what is happening in Kosovo. In trying to track down her brother, Drita also learns more about her Albanian heritage and, more revealingly, family secrets.
We also get the story of Jackie, the twin's adoptive mother, who is paraplegic and her story is also slowly revealed alongside the twins. I really enjoyed the author's debut, Brass, so was eager to pick this one up. I appreciated the insight into Albanian history and culture, and the sibling dynamic (though I wish we had a little more of them as children to understand where they ended up as adults). While I found parts of all three stories compelling, I also found aspects unsubtle, particularly in how they tied together.