digitaltempest
2/9/2016
Mala Ramchandin arrives at a home for the elderly barely sane and unable to tend to herself. She's been acquitted of a murder where little evidence exists other than what officers are able to relate of the scene they found at her home when her mind finally broke completely. At the elderly home, she becomes the first patient of a male nurse, Tyler, who is an outcast among his coworkers for being a male nurse and for being gay (though he tries to hide his nature in vain). Tyler begins to unwrap Mala's past which is painful and froth with abuse and heartbreak.
This book falls into the realm of magical realism. However, it's on the lighter side of the genre. This was a beautifully written, painful story that explores strength, the fragility of humans, abuse, gender, identity, determination, and the courage to feel no shame for what you are. Set on a fictional Caribbean island of Paradise, Mala helps Tyler as much as he helps her. Much of this story is a visceral reading experience that beckons readers to read with their heart.
Strong trigger warning on this one as it deals with abuse in some detail.