A stripped back short novel that examines the mystery of existence. A single woman in her mid-forties lives alone in an Italian city. She works as a teacher, has friends she keeps in regular contact with and and endures a difficult relationship with her mother. Despite all these contacts with the outside world, the woman leads a solitary life. Every encounter she has on her simple daily journeys – to the supermarket, the beautician, a favourite coffee bar – leaves an intense impression. Innocuous interactions with strangers make indelible marks, to be unpacked and pondered in private moments. She describes a mundane, everyday world that is yet surreal and unfathomable. Readers of Rachel Cusk's famous trilogy of autobiographical novels will lap up this beautifully introspective, elegant short novel. Jhumpa Lahiri divides the book into around 45 short chapters, making its penetrating investigations into the nature of being also a pleasure to read. A book for lovers of immersive literature, with a narrator whose simple day to day concerns and experiences many will identify with. Whereabouts, by Jhumpa Lahiri. Published by Bloomsbury. $26.99 Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
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