So this is a huh of a book. Definitely not a huh? (with a question mark) what the heck did I just read? sort of book, but a book you finish and go huh or any other of your non-committal sounds of choice. His dad dies. He may or may not have lost his job as a radio host. He may or may not be in love with his radio producer. His sister may or may not be getting a divorce. His best friend may or may not be unhinged. His friend may or may not be a rapist. So, sure, let's go take his father's ashes to Kashmir, his father's homeland. And go skiing. And yes, there is a fugue state. And a death, and I always think of music fugues as death-y, so there's that. But in the end, it's just one of those books where

1. lots of stuff happens, and yet


2. I can't shake the feeling that absolutely nothing has happened at all.

No one seems wiser or smarter or even changed by the end. Except I guess the dad, who is dead. But maybe he's the same in death, so who knows?

Fugue States by Pasha Malla went on sale May 30, 2017.

I received a copy free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

To understand the meaning of fugue is to look at the novel, Fugue States, by Pasha Malla, in its entirety.

From its inception, the reader is given its lead character, Ash, a successful author and radio host who must navigate the recent loss of his father and what that means to him as a son, a man, a writer.

And as the reader moves further into the book, the surrounding characters, too, in their individualism are not only affected by Ash’s loss and grief, but must also navigate their own pursuits in understanding who they are, how loss and pain has afflicted their own circumstances, and what they must do to survive and move through it themselves.

What’s wonderful about this novel is the realism of its narrative dialogue in bringing these characters to life through a genuine voice that depicts them vividly from:

Ash’s sombre and keen observation of others that almost feel lightly pessimistic and sad, yet witty, sarcastic, articulate, intelligent, yet insecure and self-critical—almost nostalgic with a deference to sentimentality or nostalgia; to Mona, his sister, who by career, is a successful lawyer, but openly emotional and sentimental; to _______ and Rick, his creative and hippie-living mother and stepfather; to Sherene, his intellectual and cultural equal, potentially his love-interest, but platonic co-worker and friend; to Chip, a zealously affectionate father to his son with special needs; to Matt, his polar opposite, a nomadic hedonist adventurer and long-time friend; to his late father, Brij, a latent writer-turned-doctor whose nostalgia for Kashmir and home haunted him and his son’s conversations and connection with one another.

The novel is as surprising as its non-traditional, non-linear plot, which include in its narrative both unexpected, almost absurd events, which seem surreal, if not adapted for film.

But, these events both pose as entertainment as they do emotional trauma and weariness, a sense of making memories as a way to cope and revitalize feeling, invigorate bravery, and an almost desperate attempt to make something happen—out of pain, disconnect, and loss.

To read the rest of my review, you're welcome to visit my blog The Bibliotaphe Closet:
https://zarasclosetblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/book-review-fugue-states-by-pas... ( )