I didn't really know what to expect from this book when I checked it out from the library. Honestly, I picked it based on the beautiful cover and the name; it had an X which fit my A to Z prompt. I was pleasantly surprised by this beautiful story. I am not sure I would call it a mystery, though it was one, but a memoir as in many ways the memoir aspect of the book was more all encompassing than the mystery itself.
One element I thought was interesting was the lack of names of so many of the characters. Many of them were described purely by their relationships to the main characters or what they were wearing. A picture is set of a white family visiting a Caribbean island in the mid-1990s and the undercurrent of tension that exists below the surface between the socio-economic and racial/ethnic differences that exist between the tourists and the natives.
After tragedy strikes, the saga changes directions and follows the younger sister in the main family. She changes her name from Claire, to her middle name, Emily and is doing well for herself. Until the day that she steps into a cab in New York City that changes her life forever.
That cab ride led Emily on a new trajectory as obsession takes over. The book continues to explore the relationships between the island people of Saint X and the generally wealthy in NYC. Through a back and forth narration, Emily explains how the tragedy impacted her life, and a man who was imprisoned for the tragedy shares how his life has changed from the tragedy.
Ultimately the characters lives overlap and much of the mystery gets unraveled. But in the process both characters learn much about themselves and how their lives have been transformed.
It is a beautiful saga of sorrow, mystery, self-discovery, and ultimately, hope. I enjoyed stepping in their shoes and believe that the book was well written. I will be looking for more from this author.
One element I thought was interesting was the lack of names of so many of the characters. Many of them were described purely by their relationships to the main characters or what they were wearing. A picture is set of a white family visiting a Caribbean island in the mid-1990s and the undercurrent of tension that exists below the surface between the socio-economic and racial/ethnic differences that exist between the tourists and the natives.
After tragedy strikes, the saga changes directions and follows the younger sister in the main family. She changes her name from Claire, to her middle name, Emily and is doing well for herself. Until the day that she steps into a cab in New York City that changes her life forever.
That cab ride led Emily on a new trajectory as obsession takes over. The book continues to explore the relationships between the island people of Saint X and the generally wealthy in NYC. Through a back and forth narration, Emily explains how the tragedy impacted her life, and a man who was imprisoned for the tragedy shares how his life has changed from the tragedy.
Ultimately the characters lives overlap and much of the mystery gets unraveled. But in the process both characters learn much about themselves and how their lives have been transformed.
It is a beautiful saga of sorrow, mystery, self-discovery, and ultimately, hope. I enjoyed stepping in their shoes and believe that the book was well written. I will be looking for more from this author.