Books

Just after the Second World War a woman by the name of Lily Azerov arrives in Canada to start anew. She marries into the Kramer family but suddenly disappears one day, abandoning both husband and baby.

In Part 2 of our chat Alex, Lora and I discuss the unexpected twists and turns the plot takes in Gurjinder Basran’s debut novel, and how Basran’s writing steps up a notch to great dramatic effect. Spoiler alert!

American-born Cherry travels back to Vietnam to mend a broken relationship with her beloved brother Lum, who was banished there five years before when a gambling bet gone sour nearly cost Cherry her life.

In Part 1 of our chat about Gurjinder Basran’s provocative debut novel, Everything Was Good-Bye (to page 96) Lora, Alex and I discuss Basran’s writing, our perceptions of her characters and how they were presented, as well as the larger theme of the clash of cultures and traditions.

Janie has to deal with a curse: Legend has it that a sister from each generation of her family disappears. So when her younger sister, Hannah, is born, their grandmother tasks Janie with watching over and protecting the girl.