Alicia Upano has crafted a beautiful debut novel full of emotion, heartache and discovery, which follows the aftermath of a tsunami in Hilo, Hawaii. A Hawaiian herself, the author immerses the reader in the island’s cultural practices and everyday routines; its tropical beauty is emphasised, but Everything To The Sea isn’t your typical summer read. The heartbreaking twists and gut-wrenching turns make for a story you become emotionally attached to.
Flitting between Kenji and Jane’s experiences of the tsunami, we get a dichotomy of lives that have each taken a different turn. Both characters, though highly flawed, are extremely likeable making you root for their love right until the very end. Themes of family, friendship, belonging, tragedy and love all culminated to create a relaxing book that is impossible to put down.
The dynamic of the push and pull between the comfort of your home town and the aspirations of a far-away city has a relatable quality; anyone struggling with homesickness, or dissociating from where they feel they belong, will understand Everything To The Sea on another level. A thoroughly enjoyable, inventive twist on a classic romance tragedy; if only I could read the ending again for the first time.
