thegothlibrarian_ 's review for:

Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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In a way, Things in Nature Merely Grow resists reviews. In Li’s interest in avoiding the pitfalls of cliche (including even the language of ‘grief’ itself) the writing of this book is clear. Its aim appears to be in communicating rather than flourishing. As Li explains, there is no adjective that can describe living a childless life with ‘a mother’s thoughts.’ This book is stark in its honesty and self-assured in its mission to capture a moment in time without obsessive manicuring, without expectation or parameter. This means the prose of frequently pared back and matter of fact. It reads like a series of thoughts or journal entries rather than a ‘journey’ through bereavement. In this way it is incredibly honest and tight. It may also, for some readers, feel abrasive. But all of this bridges a gap, and plays a very important role - in attempting to communicate the incommunicable pain of losing both of your children to suicide. It does not sensationalise or even dramatise. It exits, maybe, in an act of radical acceptance.