Tuesday, April 21, 2026

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny

 

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai (2025), 670 pages

"The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny is the sweeping tale of two young people navigating the many forces that shape their country, class, race, history, and the complicated bonds that link one generation to the next."

First, this book is beautifully written. Desai has a writing style that perfectly captures the little thoughts and judgements we all have but don't say out loud. Through her characters she captures all the complexities each generation faces and how they are challenged in subsequent ones. I feel all of us can relate in some way to the pressures and expectations our parents (invertedly or not)  put on us while also subconsciously (or not) doing the same thing to our own children. 

The downside to the book is that the characters are not particularly likeable. Many times, I just wanted to shout "get over yourself and move on". But they didn't and for over 600 pages we delve into their every thought. Weirdly, though, there are some blaring holes that I actually wished the author would have dug more into. The book is a paradox. 


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