Book Review: All the Words Unspoken by Serena Kaur

Yet another book I devoured in 24 hours! I hope you enjoy it as much.

Goodreads Blurb

All the Words Unspoken by Serena Kaur

Things are not going well for Maansi Cavale.

Her depression is worsening, she barely passes her university exams and she winds up stuck at home, full of regret and unable to find a job. She’d do anything for a way out.

Though Maansi previously considered arranged marriage an outdated tradition (only to be agreed to if you’re in your mid-forties and unable to bag anybody yourself), a chance meeting at an Indian wedding party changes everything. Desperate to escape the shackles of monotony and unemployment, she agrees to marry the handsome and wealthy Aryan Alekar. She convinces herself a new lifestyle and wealth will lift her out of the pit. She secures the marriage, but not before serving up a few lies about herself…

As they settle into married life, Aryan remains a mystery to Maansi: some days warm and loving, others cold and distant. Maansi can’t help but wonder… who is Aryan Alekar really? And why did he choose to marry so young? While living with Aryan, Maansi realises she could never be satisfied playing housewife. After all, she once had goals and dreams.

While searching for the ambitious Maansi she has buried, Maansi starts to realise that the man she has married is even further from what he seems… Can she salvage their union or will they set each other free?

All the Words Unspoken is a fresh, new voice from debut British-Asian author, Serena Kaur. It is a love story that challenges our preconceptions of relationships and shows us that the choices we make have implications and ramifications far beyond the horizon we can see.

Review

I am in love with this book. I originally choose it because I am trying to read more from diverse authors. Plus, you know I love to learn about other cultures through fiction. With All the Words Unspoken, I certainly learned a lot about British-Asian culture and arranged marriage, but it was the themes that I wasn’t expecting that I enjoyed the most.

All the Words Unspoken opens in an abortion clinic. Right then and there I knew that I was going to have a strong, independent woman in Maansi. I wasn’t wrong. However, what I didn’t see coming was how Maansi’s struggle with depression would touch my soul. The author offers a real and frank depiction of depression. It is simply written but so pure and emotional. Plus, it’s not all tied up at the end in a neat bow, something I loathe in other books.

About halfway through the book the narrative switches to Aryan. Up until this point, the reader just sees his as a moody git, but suddenly he comes alive. I can’t go into much detail about Aryan because that would entail too many spoilers. I’ll just say that he is one to watch and his evolution throughout the book is phenomenal.

All the Words Unspoken was not the love story I expected; it was so much more. I know I won’t stop recommending it to people for a very long time.

If All the Words Unspoken sounds like something that might float your boat, pick up a copy here.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.