A review by yetanothersusan
Mother Ocean Father Nation by Nishant Batsha

challenging emotional sad

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

What is harder? Being left behind or being the one forced to leave? This is only part of the struggles Bhumi and Jaipal are forced to face when there is a power shift in the small island their family had immigrated to several generations ago. At times I was startled while reading as the prose flipped from being a basic story telling to beautiful lyrical language. It was almost as if there were two authors, each with a very different style, trying to help each other tell the story. But I think this did a great job of reminding me that life isn't simply good or bad at any point in time, it is a combination just like how the book was written. I wish I had gotten to know Bhumi and Jaipal more. I felt like we only saw them as they reacted to things around them. I think there was more there that could have been brought forth. Maybe it wasn't to allow more space for the plot? I look forward to what might come next from this new author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.