Some stories present their essences in very unique ways to us. When we read them, we donot want to stop reading. As if they keep us calling back and an urge arises from the inside to get to know more about the characters in them and what happens in their lives.
It happens mostly when the author has skillfully developed their characters and that makes us feel the connected to them.
When Will You Die by author Jayanthi Sankar is one such book which kept me engaged till the end. Susan is a kid, from Goa Concana who starts conversation with her newly found pen pal from Singapore. A little boy of similar age, Suiyi who is immigrant. Soon they start sharing about their tumultuous lives involving personal losses. Step by step their lives take different paths but still they are connected through events. In between, we are introduced to other characters and we get to know their back stories as well which all are linked and one event leading to the another, finally creating an effect even after many years.
This modern socio- psychological family drama points out, how relationships mould into different shapes over the years and that even sometimes unconditional love fail to change destined scenarios. It also makes us realise that mental wellbeing is very important. If I had to describe this novel as an emotion, I would choose vibes of Melancholia for it.
With different subplots involving the relationships between grandparents, siblings, couples and even colleagues, it sketches the hues of different phases of life one goes through alongside the fact that relationships come with their sets of complexities and challenges.
With short chapters, this good book ends into somewhat of a cliffhanger, as per I understood. Also we get to know these characters are inspired by real life events.
Best of all, I liked knowing about the Singapore culture sprinkled around the plot. The narrative style made me stick till the end.
Go for it.