For his first novel, David Chariandy handles a surprisingly complex story in an assured and compelling fashion. In the story of a young man returning to his home in Scarborough (Toronto) to care for his Trinidadian mother as she struggles with early onset dementia, Chariandy skilfully blends past and present, choreographs multiple plotlines and assembles a believable cast of vivid, diverse, intriguing and sympathetic characters.

Chariandy intertwines the themes of remembering and forgetting in a way that is haunting and fascinating. The flashbacks to Trinidad prompt me to seek out more about this country. This book is an immensely satisfying read on many levels. I look forward to what David Chariandy will do next.