Following a tarot reader’s prediction, a middle-aged woman abandons her family to start over with another man. A subsequent trail of destruction blazes through the members of her family, from her husband’s inability to eat to her daughter’s self-harm. As she plunges deeper into reckless freedom, she touches the underside of love and desire and uncovers the secret longing of her heart. But is it too late to recover what she willingly lost?
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Lam's vulnerability and nuanced emotional states allow readers to truly connect to her profound and intimate story.
Prose: The writing style here is digestible and engaging, with the connection to the tarot deck only occasionally obfuscating the plot.
Originality: Lam's memoir uniquely blends an exploration of love, relationships, mental health, with the more mystical and magical original elements.
Character Development/Execution: The writer successfully explores the complexities of the characters for her readers in this intriguing memoir.
Date Submitted: December 09, 2021
