Evocative ... Memorably vibrant despite a mounting sense of loss ... Yu offers strong insights about sisterhood and the roles siblings fall into, but it’s her striking imagery that allows the most space for mystery and impact ... Yu is gifted at portraying a community under siege, people living their daily lives as best they can when circumstances are dire. Mourning pours through the book’s surprising images and asides; they deepen the story of this place and its survivors — elusive, shattering, recognizable without explanation.
Yu excels at creating the setting, described in precise detail, and at crafting a character-driven reading experience. As the narrative progresses, however, some readers may feel that she attempts to tackle too many different themes and ideas, resulting in a disjointed reading experience and an ending that feels somewhat unfinished.
