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A review by jola_g
Somebody Loves You by Mona Arshi
4.0
Warmth, subtlety, lyricism devoid of mawkishness — these are my recollections of Somebody Loves You (2021). Despite its pastel delicacy, the novel is far from idyllic. Mona Arshi does not retreat from difficult subjects like racism or parent's mental illness. It is a turbulent story, told succinctly, with quaint humour, bewitching nature descriptions and attention to every single word. And it rings so true.
I was taken with the narrator. Ruby calls herself justly an expert in the art of solitude and quietness and this portrayal encapsulates her personality perfectly. I do not know how autobiographical Somebody Loves You is but the narrator's memories are extremely vivid.
I always have a good feeling when I start reading a novel written by a poet and Somebody Loves You was no exception. My hunch did not let me down: the writing is ensnaring and the author has an exquisite ear for the rhythm and waving of prose. Mona Arshi has already published two poetry collections and this is her novelistic debut. A very promising one. Not perfect though and sometimes a bit like Auntie Number One's smoothies, which missed some vital, unreachable, unidentifiable ingredient. But as Ruby's father would say, a beautiful thing is never perfect.
Artwork by Parvez Taj.
I was taken with the narrator. Ruby calls herself justly an expert in the art of solitude and quietness and this portrayal encapsulates her personality perfectly. I do not know how autobiographical Somebody Loves You is but the narrator's memories are extremely vivid.
I always have a good feeling when I start reading a novel written by a poet and Somebody Loves You was no exception. My hunch did not let me down: the writing is ensnaring and the author has an exquisite ear for the rhythm and waving of prose. Mona Arshi has already published two poetry collections and this is her novelistic debut. A very promising one. Not perfect though and sometimes a bit like Auntie Number One's smoothies, which missed some vital, unreachable, unidentifiable ingredient. But as Ruby's father would say, a beautiful thing is never perfect.
Artwork by Parvez Taj.