There is a bit of a sadist in me, especially when it comes to reading material. I can be drawn to the darkest stories, if only to vicariously experience my deepest nightmares from the safety of the page. I read The Year of Fog to drown in the idea of my child being kidnapped, and I read this book to live out the horror and grief of my child dying. As you might have guessed, it’s a depressing read. I never would have made it to the end, if not for Umrigar’s prose—poetic and musical—which transcends the subject matter and carries the reader lovingly through the depths of parental hell. If you’re in the mood to ponder some of the big questions in life—is there a God? What happens to us when we die? How do we survive after we’ve lost the only thing we’ve lived for?—and if you’re in an emotionally strong place, here is your book. Otherwise, stay far, far away.
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2 Responses
Wow! What an intense topic. I appreciate your honest assessment and “warning” about what The Weight of Heaven delves into. You’ve certainly piqued my interest and intrigue to give it a try. Thank you!
Yes, I really don’t like being surprised by some things in books. I mean, yes, we want surprises, but I’m the “does the dog die at the end” sort of reader, lol. My son tells me there’s an actual website, I have to check it out. Anyway, thanks for the comment, come back and let me know what YOU thought of the story!