So I was asked to review Swimming Through Clouds by Freeze-Dried;
and I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s been years since I’ve read YA fiction
and I had some misgivings about whether I’d really appreciate and enjoy the
content and style. To my everlasting surprise, I found it quite
“un-put-down-able”!
So what makes this unassuming novel
such a page turner? Many reasons not least of which is the lovely story that
unfolds. We have the boy-meets-girl scenario all set up, but instead of
descending into a morass of clichés and annoyingly unessential angst-y
plotlines, we begin to take one step at a time, from a dark world, up, into the
light. And slowly, beauty shines through the ashes and there is hope in the
bleakness.
The readers are taken on the same
journey from despair to surprised delight as the troubled young protagonist
Talia. And that kept me glued! I found myself rooting for her, hoping with her,
worrying and fearful, alternately teetering between joy and fear. It’s been a
while since I’ve empathised with a character to such a degree!
The only issue I had was towards the
end when I felt there wasn’t enough closure. I’d gotten so involved in Talia’s
quest for freedom and life that I wanted to know, in detail, how things panned
out! Especially the story arcs about her father and brother, I would have loved
if they’d been resolved in some way. Not happily ever after! Please! But just
to show the repercussions of Talia’s actions. Personally, I could have done
without the Epilogue because it left me slightly confused. I wasn’t sure if it
was a dream or reality and even in reality, what it actually meant!
YET! Despite this, I’d still
recommend the book, especially to those of us who think we’re past the age of
reading YA fiction! It’s a beautifully written tale of heartbreak and love and
finding joy in the midst of pain.
Two thumbs up, Rajdeep Paulus!
