Book Review: Love After Love

*Contains Spoilers*

Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud was my choice for my Reading Challenge prompt “a book that takes place in multiple countries.” I love stories about families and the complexities that can exist within them. Persaud brought us a story with beautifully written characters, complex relationships, love for each other and inevitable hurts.

Love After Love is set primarily in Trinidad. We open to learning that Betty Ramden, married from a young age, is married to a man who is an alcoholic and both emotionally and physically abusive. Her husband's sudden death sets up the remainder of the story. Mr. Chetan, a secretly gay colleague of Betty's, moves into the home, an unromantic but profoundly loving relationship develops between the two. Mr. Chetan plays a significant role in Betty's son Solo's life. He becomes like a father figure, gentle but firm with Solo. The story's real drama unfolds when Solo overhears his Mother confess to Mr. Chetan that she was responsible for her late husband's death. Shortly after, Solo, now 18 years old, flees to New York City to stay with his Uncle and refusing a relationship with his Mother. The story continues from here, unfolding the aftermath between Trinidad and New York. 

Persaud's descriptions of Trinidad and even New York were well developed and brought me into the story. However, more than that, I found that the detailed portrayal of food and cooking enveloped me into the characters' lives. There was a real sense of love and care that was present in the preparation of food. The characters' detailed enjoyment allowed me to conjure the flavours and aroma to the forefront of my imagination. 

Persaud did a fantastic job of developing the primary relationships in the story. Betty and Solo had a strong and loving relationship that was all but destroyed by the truth behind his father's death. To read about Betty's steadfast love and commitment to Solo once he had moved and essentially renounced her was painful. I felt that the relationship between Mr. Chetan and Betty was quite stunning. The development of their friendship over the many years he lived with her and Solo was comforting and heartwarming. After they briefly tested the possibility of a romantic relationship and Mr. Chetan revealing he is gay, the continuation of their friendship was relieving and a testament to the quality of their relationship and character.

Mr. Chetan's story arc was potentially my favourite. Seeing him begin to allow some acceptance of himself and engage in a romantic relationship was uplifting. His genuine love for Betty and Solo was stunning. He consistently showed empathy and support to his chosen family while also recognizing when they needed some tough love. I was shattered when he was killed. It was such an unexpected turn of events that completely took me off guard. Mr. Chetan's funeral brings Solo back to Trinidad and the final moments of the story mark the beginnings of him and his Mom mending their relationship. The contrast of the grief with the hopefulness and relief of their relationship regaining a future was subtle yet powerful. 

Persaud brought us a story that conjured both gorgeous and dark imagery. She wrote characters with a depth of personality and emotion who cared deeply for one another. I was engrossed in the narrative, wanting the relationships to be successful while appreciating the power of allowing for raw hurt and complicated feelings. 

February 21, 2021