"Marissa is working as a travel writer without leaving her desk, coining gleaming descriptions of untouched beaches for tourists. But as she does so, her mind runs on darker paths."
"The emotional centre lies with Marissa's past relationship with Arielle, her perfect friend from her very first day at school in Thailand: a wonderful diver, spectacular at football, incredibly brave, perfectly beautiful."
"The problem with perfect people is that they can become a little boring, particularly if they repeat themselves. This is a short book, so the repetitions are noticeable."
"Menon reveals the fate of Arielle as if it is meant to come as a surprise, while it could hardly be more clearly signposted."
Marissa, a travel writer in New York, reflects on her past as Hurricane Sandy approaches. Memories of the 2004 tsunami and her friend Arielle haunt her. The narrative delves into themes of loss, love, and female friendship. While the emotional core centers on Marissa's relationship with Arielle, the writing style is fragmented and uneven. Repetitive character actions detract from the narrative's impact, and the fate of Arielle is foreshadowed, reducing the element of surprise. The book captures the complexities of grief and longing amidst environmental concerns.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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