Love after Love by Ingrid Presaud

Another book club read. Am I just reading book club reads now. Partially true, I have also read 'Look both ways' by Linwood Barclay, 90% of Noise downstairs by Linwood Barclay. Re-reading Code of Woosters by PGW, Long Call by Anne Cleeves. But ya mostly book club reads. Any book that makes yoy think is a good book, isnt it. This did make me think, not just on the heavy themes that were presented lightly (domestic violence, self-harm, homophobia) but also on reading choices. Have I ever read a book based in Trinidad? Does Carribean Mystery count? Dont think so. I have read Small Island thats based partly in Jamaica mostly about Post-war world in Uk. Not based in Carribean, but I have also read Love in time of Cholera, One hundred years of Solitude. But majority of reads are based in Uk and US. Maybe next Europe. Asia would come next. Africa would be Wilbur Smith and other mysteries I have read. Australia ? Few more mysteries I would say. But there is this wide world uncharted. Coming back to the heavy themes, domestic violence, why does no one try to help Betty. Sunil's family normalise it. They knew this was happening but instead of trying to get her out of the situation, they blame her. But why didnt Betty's family help her. She didnt plan it, but she did kill him. Was there an ivestigation? What happened? Did they all know and feel that it was justified? Heart-breaking is how Solo, just cuts ties with Betty. Murder cannot be forgiven, especially one's own father, more so when the murderer is the mother. But it was always Betty and Solo. Why did Solo never stop to ask his mammy why? Solo, all alone in a big city, resorting to cutting himself. He finds a father figure, who helps him in many ways. But essentially, he is all alone with anger, bitterness. Mr.Chetan, in this age and time, not being able to be yourself. Always afraid that you could be attacked for who you are. I was shocked at the ending. But I think that was the only way for Solo to be back home. But is that it? It took sometime to get used to the tone of the book and how they talk. People sticking on to their culture and tradition 5 generations after they left the homeland. Trying to preserve it by the names of their kids and food they eat. By customs and rituals of marriage and ceremonies in temples. Most of the mens names are Indian, Chetan, Dev, Sunil, Hari but all the ladies name are English Betty, Sherry, Gloria, Deedee. But the younger generation kids names are English too, Solo, Ian, forgot his cousins name. Love and family doesnt necessarily needs to mean it has to be traditional. Chetan, Betty and Solo are a family.

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