When it comes to books, I never know what to expect. I’m always switching genres and am constantly on the lookout for different book recommendations, so when my former teacher suggested Fish in Exile by Vi Khi Nao, I was hooked and eager to dive in.
The novel exceeded my expectations, partly because I had no idea which direction the story would go in, but also because I was in awe of Nao’s writing style and the disillusioned and haunted voices of the characters who narrate the story.
Fish in Exile is a story about a couple who is struggling to deal with the grief of losing their children in an accident during a trip to the ocean. While the husband accepts everything that happened and is trying to pick up the pieces, the wife is drowning in denial and hallucinates about her children still being alive.
In the story, Nao illustrates the tension between husband and wife, intertwined with the pain and numbness that comes along with tragedy. The messages and dialogue of the characters reflect how grief feels and mirror how complicated human interaction can be in such a situation, which makes readers able to easily connect with the characters. The author also conveys her points through unconventional imagery and comparisons that surprise you with how well they work.
With dark humor and insightful lines, Fish in Exile is a very tragic yet bizarre story that combines reality with hallucinations, and even includes Greek mythology. It leaves readers with a lot to chew on after finishing the story. For me, I was left wondering what else the author meant by each name, each place, and each phrase that is exchanged between the characters. The fact that I still had so much to analyze and interpret from Nao’s words is what made Fish in Exile so enjoyable for me.
For someone who is looking for a fascinating, unconventional read, this book is definitely the one that should be at the top of your list.