Book No. 29 of 2021
A quietly heartbreaking and beautiful read; the entire book is suffused with grief and love and there’s a certain ache watching characters struggling to resolve their true identities with what society expects from them. The story winds around the titular death, blending past with present, and slowly unravels the mystery of why and how.
One of the most beautiful elements of the story is the love of the friends—who don’t fully understand the titular character’s identity and struggles, but who support and love and see that character nonetheless. It’s truly touching and beautiful and leaves you as the reader feeling heartbroken that the world isn’t a little kinder.
I am very aware that this review/description is very vague, and it’s intentionally so, because I think the unraveling of mystery/identity is a crucial part of the reading experience here.
Similar Reads
The themes of grief and loss reminded me of a recent read, Daisy Johnson’s Sisters.
Some aspects also reminded me of Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles.