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Fragile Monsters
A SPELLBINDING DEBUT NOVEL SET BETWEEN WW2 AND CONTEMPORARY MALAYSIA
Mary is a difficult grandmother for Durga to love. She is sharp-tongued and ferocious, with more demons than there are lines on her palms. When Durga visits her in rural Malaysia, she only wants to endure Mary, and the dark memories home brings, for as long as it takes to escape.
But a reckoning is coming. Stuck together in in the rising heat, both women must untangle the truth from the myth of their family's past.What happened to Durga's mother after she gave birth? Why did so many of their family members disappear during the war? And who is to blame for the childhood tragedy that haunts her to this day?
In her stunning debut novel Catherine Menon traces one family's story from 1920 to the present, unravelling a thrilling tale of love, betrayal and redemption against the backdrop of natural disasters and fallen empires. Written in vivid technicolour, with an electric daughter-grandmother relationship at its heart, Fragile Monsters explores what happens when secrets fester through the generations.
As they will learn, in a place ravaged by floods, it is only a matter of time before the bones of the past emerge.
Mary is a difficult grandmother for Durga to love. She is sharp-tongued and ferocious, with more demons than there are lines on her palms. When Durga visits her in rural Malaysia, she only wants to endure Mary, and the dark memories home brings, for as long as it takes to escape.
But a reckoning is coming. Stuck together in in the rising heat, both women must untangle the truth from the myth of their family's past.What happened to Durga's mother after she gave birth? Why did so many of their family members disappear during the war? And who is to blame for the childhood tragedy that haunts her to this day?
In her stunning debut novel Catherine Menon traces one family's story from 1920 to the present, unravelling a thrilling tale of love, betrayal and redemption against the backdrop of natural disasters and fallen empires. Written in vivid technicolour, with an electric daughter-grandmother relationship at its heart, Fragile Monsters explores what happens when secrets fester through the generations.
As they will learn, in a place ravaged by floods, it is only a matter of time before the bones of the past emerge.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
26 people are currently reading
1612 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
January 18, 2021
Fragile Monsters is a spellbinding novel of war and family betrayal set in Malaysia during the 1920s through to the present day and tells the story of what happens to us all when loss is unacknowledged, how the secrets of one generation become the traumas of the next and is loosely based on stories Menon's father told her as a youngster. The narrative follows Doctor Durga Panikkar, a mathematics professor of Indian and British descent, who has just begun teaching at Kuala Lumpur University after returning to her hometown of Pahang, Malaysia, to visit her inveterate grandmother (or Ammuma), Mary. Having spent a decade living in Canada she feels she should spend time with Mary, the only real support during her childhood years as well as her guardian, during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, after her mother, Francesca, seemingly died during troublesome childbirth. Having indulged in the tradition of purchasing some cheap fireworks from Letchumani, a local washer-man, at the nearby market to watch and enjoy she decides to light one of the rockets but due to a mixture of poor quality and negligent handling, the explosive misfires and ends up setting Mary’s house alight with her trapped in the bedroom upstairs.
A panic ensues but Mary manages to survive with minor injuries and is admitted to hospital. Durga feels conflicted about returning to KL to teach with her grandmother’s health in such a state and decides after much deliberation to stay and moves back into the home in which she had spent her formative years. She tries to rebuild her relationship with prickly, difficult Mary while caring for her but there's about to be a reckoning. And many lifelong secrets are about to be revealed - unravelling both of their lives whether they're ready for it or not. Will their relationship survive these explosive secrets? This is a compulsive and deeply compelling debut novel with a superb, engaging writing style and beautifully evoked depictions of time and the exotic place. It's richly-imagined, thought-provoking and subtle in its charm until everything turns on a dime. Exploring World War II, Indian Culture in Malaysia, British colonisation of Malaya until 1957 and the Malaysian fight for independence, alongside family issues, such as generational differences and changing attitudes, this is not only an enthralling story but it's laced with many true events and their impact on those living through those times. A powerful, exhilarating and quietly haunting historical novel. Highly recommended.
A panic ensues but Mary manages to survive with minor injuries and is admitted to hospital. Durga feels conflicted about returning to KL to teach with her grandmother’s health in such a state and decides after much deliberation to stay and moves back into the home in which she had spent her formative years. She tries to rebuild her relationship with prickly, difficult Mary while caring for her but there's about to be a reckoning. And many lifelong secrets are about to be revealed - unravelling both of their lives whether they're ready for it or not. Will their relationship survive these explosive secrets? This is a compulsive and deeply compelling debut novel with a superb, engaging writing style and beautifully evoked depictions of time and the exotic place. It's richly-imagined, thought-provoking and subtle in its charm until everything turns on a dime. Exploring World War II, Indian Culture in Malaysia, British colonisation of Malaya until 1957 and the Malaysian fight for independence, alongside family issues, such as generational differences and changing attitudes, this is not only an enthralling story but it's laced with many true events and their impact on those living through those times. A powerful, exhilarating and quietly haunting historical novel. Highly recommended.
January 19, 2022
Maybe 3.5. I haven't quite gathered my thoughts on this one yet. It was a really interesting read - the historical background is fascinating and the characterisation strong. I liked the exploration of narrative unreliability and storytelling a lot, but it took me a little while to get into.
December 23, 2020
I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Durga has returned to her grandmother's home to spend time with the matriarch of the family, and the only parent she has ever truly known, during Diwali. Over the course of the next few days, Durga begins to know her grandmother in a way she's never before and find out some family secrets long hidden.
This book just didn't do anything for me, and I was really hoping the end would give me some satisfaction and the answers I wanted. Unfortunately, it didn't and I'm not 100% sure what actually happened.
I was looking forward to the exploration of a grandmother/granddaughter relationship in this book, as I myself am very close to my gran, she's my favourite person in the world but this didn't deliver. There's doubt Durga loved her gran and her gra loved her but there was something so prickly between them that it mad any interaction uncomfortable.
The characters in this book aren't particularly likeable and they're not suppose to be liked in my opinion. There was some interesting historical flashbacks to do with Malaysia during the war and I found this interesting but again, there wasn't really enough of it.
Very little happened in this book as well until about 65% through, which is when we only start being fed the questions to the answers the story is hoping to deliver. But I didn't feel satisfied, and the book ultimately let me down a lot. A shame as I was hoping to love it.
Durga has returned to her grandmother's home to spend time with the matriarch of the family, and the only parent she has ever truly known, during Diwali. Over the course of the next few days, Durga begins to know her grandmother in a way she's never before and find out some family secrets long hidden.
This book just didn't do anything for me, and I was really hoping the end would give me some satisfaction and the answers I wanted. Unfortunately, it didn't and I'm not 100% sure what actually happened.
I was looking forward to the exploration of a grandmother/granddaughter relationship in this book, as I myself am very close to my gran, she's my favourite person in the world but this didn't deliver. There's doubt Durga loved her gran and her gra loved her but there was something so prickly between them that it mad any interaction uncomfortable.
The characters in this book aren't particularly likeable and they're not suppose to be liked in my opinion. There was some interesting historical flashbacks to do with Malaysia during the war and I found this interesting but again, there wasn't really enough of it.
Very little happened in this book as well until about 65% through, which is when we only start being fed the questions to the answers the story is hoping to deliver. But I didn't feel satisfied, and the book ultimately let me down a lot. A shame as I was hoping to love it.
January 2, 2021
3.5★
Beautifully written and totally absorbing, this family saga is a solid debut from Catherine Menon. It is strong on its rural Malaysian location and covers a period of Malaysian history I knew little about; The Emergency (following immediately after World War II and the Japanese occupation).
It's 1985 and Dr Durga Panikkar, a mathematics lecturer from KL, has joined her grandmother Mary at the family home in Pahang to celebrate Diwali. Although raised by her grandmother, Durga hasn't spent much time with Mary over the past 10 years, as she'd been studying and then working in Canada until recently. An accident with home-fireworks sees Mary admitted to hospital, and Durga wracked with guilt for her role in endangering the elderly woman's life. But after her initial assessment, it's not Mary's physical injuries that concern Durga the most; it's that Mary has been speaking about her daughter Francesca - Durga's mother - as if she is still alive. Durga knows for a fact that Francesca died 3 days after giving birth to her.
Over the week that follows, Durga looks after Mary and while she tries to come to terms with a tragedy in her own generation, the reader is taken back to almost the beginning of Mary's own story, where the parallels become obvious. It's a tale of drowned women, the left-behinds (women who slipped through the cracks), ghosts, an unofficial branch on the family tree and not just one, but two mutes (maybe 3!). Durga has always known that Mary is a storyteller, but she hadn't realised just how much of her own family history had been massaged into Mary's preferred shape.
This was a good read and I may have rated it higher, but there was just a bit too much going on. It took a long time to establish what the central mystery/secret was going to be out of a few strong contenders. Some story threads that showed promise kind of petered out to nothing. A tighter edit could have resolved these issues. What I really loved about the book was the atmosphere Menon created. Between the sprawling family home, the crocodile-infested river running beside it, the ghosts, a nun born with no tongue and the legend of the nearby sanatorium, it came across as quite a gothic tale - something I find irresistible!
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin/Viking for the opportunity to read and review.
Beautifully written and totally absorbing, this family saga is a solid debut from Catherine Menon. It is strong on its rural Malaysian location and covers a period of Malaysian history I knew little about; The Emergency (following immediately after World War II and the Japanese occupation).
It's 1985 and Dr Durga Panikkar, a mathematics lecturer from KL, has joined her grandmother Mary at the family home in Pahang to celebrate Diwali. Although raised by her grandmother, Durga hasn't spent much time with Mary over the past 10 years, as she'd been studying and then working in Canada until recently. An accident with home-fireworks sees Mary admitted to hospital, and Durga wracked with guilt for her role in endangering the elderly woman's life. But after her initial assessment, it's not Mary's physical injuries that concern Durga the most; it's that Mary has been speaking about her daughter Francesca - Durga's mother - as if she is still alive. Durga knows for a fact that Francesca died 3 days after giving birth to her.
Over the week that follows, Durga looks after Mary and while she tries to come to terms with a tragedy in her own generation, the reader is taken back to almost the beginning of Mary's own story, where the parallels become obvious. It's a tale of drowned women, the left-behinds (women who slipped through the cracks), ghosts, an unofficial branch on the family tree and not just one, but two mutes (maybe 3!). Durga has always known that Mary is a storyteller, but she hadn't realised just how much of her own family history had been massaged into Mary's preferred shape.
This was a good read and I may have rated it higher, but there was just a bit too much going on. It took a long time to establish what the central mystery/secret was going to be out of a few strong contenders. Some story threads that showed promise kind of petered out to nothing. A tighter edit could have resolved these issues. What I really loved about the book was the atmosphere Menon created. Between the sprawling family home, the crocodile-infested river running beside it, the ghosts, a nun born with no tongue and the legend of the nearby sanatorium, it came across as quite a gothic tale - something I find irresistible!
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin/Viking for the opportunity to read and review.
March 15, 2021
Set between World War II and contemporary Malaysia, Fragile Monsters by Catherine Menon tells the story of Durga, a mathematician, and her grandmother Mary. Durga, who lives in Canada, is visiting her grandmother in rural Malaysia. Both share a difficult relationship and after being stuck together due to some events, they are forced to confront their pasts. Bit by bit, Durga realises that many things her grandmother told her about their family history is a myth, and slowly uncovers the truth of what led to the deaths of many of their family members during the war and what happened to her mother after she gave birth.
I really liked how the story shifted between the present and the past. Menon is a gifted writer and there were so many beautiful proses throughout the book. I also liked how the book mentioned some of the important events in Malaysia's history.
However, the story did not really work for me. It had an intriguing start and I was pretty much hooked to it, but after that it just kept dragging on. While there were some sub-plots that seemed promising, it didn't really go anywhere. After a point, the story was quite predictable and I'm not too sure I understood what happened in the end. And the characters were not that likeable; I'm guessing it's meant to be that way, and I'm okay with it. But what I did not like was how all the main female characters' were involved with some cheating dumb man. I wish Menon had given them more personality.
Another thing that really miffed me was how some of the references to Kerala were wrong. For instance, she wrote Malayali instead of Malayalam(first is the people of Kerala, second is the language) There are references to many other nationalities too, and I can only wonder how factually correct they are.
All in all, Fragile Monsters is a well-written novel that explores difficult family relationships, love, betrayal, redemption, and more. However, the storyline is not too strong and could've been much better.
I really liked how the story shifted between the present and the past. Menon is a gifted writer and there were so many beautiful proses throughout the book. I also liked how the book mentioned some of the important events in Malaysia's history.
However, the story did not really work for me. It had an intriguing start and I was pretty much hooked to it, but after that it just kept dragging on. While there were some sub-plots that seemed promising, it didn't really go anywhere. After a point, the story was quite predictable and I'm not too sure I understood what happened in the end. And the characters were not that likeable; I'm guessing it's meant to be that way, and I'm okay with it. But what I did not like was how all the main female characters' were involved with some cheating dumb man. I wish Menon had given them more personality.
Another thing that really miffed me was how some of the references to Kerala were wrong. For instance, she wrote Malayali instead of Malayalam(first is the people of Kerala, second is the language) There are references to many other nationalities too, and I can only wonder how factually correct they are.
All in all, Fragile Monsters is a well-written novel that explores difficult family relationships, love, betrayal, redemption, and more. However, the storyline is not too strong and could've been much better.
May 12, 2021
Fragile Monsters is a historical fiction revolves around a tale of family love and the haunting past that fester through a generation. The premise sets against the backdrop of 1920s to present Malaysia, following a journey of Durga who came to visit her grandmother, Mary who is living in the rural Malaysia. Durga who is stuck to endure her ferocious grandmother get herself twisted in between her own dark trauma and her family past mystery and secrets.
As much as I love the idea and setting, I am not really into how the narrative is crafted. I rarely get confused in reading alternating chapters or interlacing timelines but this plot was a tricky one for me. It 'weighs' too much with Durga's ramblings, love triangle, past memories and waiting for the truth to untangle as what per said in its blurb was kind of tiring.
The dramatic tension in between Durga and Mary was compelling much, love the conflict in their way of expressing love and care (as well as hatred). Just having a slight problem on how the author invested too much with the backstory of each characters that I think it ended up inundating the central story and slowing down the plot progression a bit.
Despite that, I favour the exploration of historical events it presented-- the Japanese occupation in Malaya and British colonisation as well as the Great Flood tragedy during the 1926. No crazy plot twist but I appreciate how it relates to one's psychological trauma, anxiety and disorder which kind of enthralling to read.
Sending a huge thanks to Times Reads for gifting me a review copy of this book in return for my honest review!
As much as I love the idea and setting, I am not really into how the narrative is crafted. I rarely get confused in reading alternating chapters or interlacing timelines but this plot was a tricky one for me. It 'weighs' too much with Durga's ramblings, love triangle, past memories and waiting for the truth to untangle as what per said in its blurb was kind of tiring.
The dramatic tension in between Durga and Mary was compelling much, love the conflict in their way of expressing love and care (as well as hatred). Just having a slight problem on how the author invested too much with the backstory of each characters that I think it ended up inundating the central story and slowing down the plot progression a bit.
Despite that, I favour the exploration of historical events it presented-- the Japanese occupation in Malaya and British colonisation as well as the Great Flood tragedy during the 1926. No crazy plot twist but I appreciate how it relates to one's psychological trauma, anxiety and disorder which kind of enthralling to read.
Sending a huge thanks to Times Reads for gifting me a review copy of this book in return for my honest review!
April 16, 2021
I have mixed thoughts about Catherine Menon's debut novel that traces one family's story from 1920 to the present. Here Dr. Durga is back from Canada to rural Malyasia. Her ammumma Mary is unwell and keeps asking for Durga's mother who died shortly after D's birth. The story alternates between the past and the present — 1920 and 1985.
Read it if you are interested in the historical premise of the novel. The Emergency situation, aftermath of WW2 and Japanese occupation, Floods of 1926 are explored. There are heart breaking real life situations (such as villagers being banned from helping Malaysian soldiers). This family saga also explores secrets, betrayals which affects the characters in present day.
The relationship between the characters could've been better written. I did not feel interested enough to know more about them or their shared history. I would've liked to read more emotion and warmth between characters. The progress of the story does not keep you invested in the storyline and characters (Some subplots could've been done away and a tighter plot would've been more enjoyable). But if the historical premise excites you, you will enjoy the read.
Much thanks to the publisher for an e-ARC. All opinions my own
Read it if you are interested in the historical premise of the novel. The Emergency situation, aftermath of WW2 and Japanese occupation, Floods of 1926 are explored. There are heart breaking real life situations (such as villagers being banned from helping Malaysian soldiers). This family saga also explores secrets, betrayals which affects the characters in present day.
The relationship between the characters could've been better written. I did not feel interested enough to know more about them or their shared history. I would've liked to read more emotion and warmth between characters. The progress of the story does not keep you invested in the storyline and characters (Some subplots could've been done away and a tighter plot would've been more enjoyable). But if the historical premise excites you, you will enjoy the read.
Much thanks to the publisher for an e-ARC. All opinions my own
May 13, 2021
After 10 years, Dr. Durga, a Mathematician lecturer came back from Canada to rural Malaysia to celebrate Diwali with her grandma. Her grandma is unwell and keeps asking about Durga’s mother. With the story alternates between 1920 and 1985, the experience of the three generations of women is told.
The book explores generational trauma where citizens are trapped in the war between the US and Japanese during WW2. As the older generations were forced into rape, violence and censorship, they struggle to move on. The clash of culture and perspective between Durga and her grandma eventually elevated the tension and revelation at the end.
The relationship between Durga and her grandma is a hard one. As the grandma rambles, the granddaughter retaliates. The family drama eventually takes over as the center of the story - along with love triangles and female-female jealousy.
The historical premise is a fascinating one where we have a peek at the Japanese Occupation in Malaysia and the Great Flood in 1926. However, it was merely set as a background and I was hoping that the book will delve deeper into the events. The writing is disjointed and the reference of mathematical equations felt forced.
Overall, if you’re into family drama and interested in the historical setting of the novel, you will enjoy the read.
Rating: 2.5 stars
The book explores generational trauma where citizens are trapped in the war between the US and Japanese during WW2. As the older generations were forced into rape, violence and censorship, they struggle to move on. The clash of culture and perspective between Durga and her grandma eventually elevated the tension and revelation at the end.
The relationship between Durga and her grandma is a hard one. As the grandma rambles, the granddaughter retaliates. The family drama eventually takes over as the center of the story - along with love triangles and female-female jealousy.
The historical premise is a fascinating one where we have a peek at the Japanese Occupation in Malaysia and the Great Flood in 1926. However, it was merely set as a background and I was hoping that the book will delve deeper into the events. The writing is disjointed and the reference of mathematical equations felt forced.
Overall, if you’re into family drama and interested in the historical setting of the novel, you will enjoy the read.
Rating: 2.5 stars
December 26, 2020
An interesting read at an intellectual level. It was fascinating to read about a world very far away from me both in distance and customs. A good mix of traditions, geography and history that I really enjoyed exploring. But at an emotional level I couldn't connect with the characters and the story at all. Too much rumbling, life as fairy tales, unlikable characters all round ... it really, really didn't work for me. I am sadden by this as the narrative is very complex and layered. It packs so much heartbreak and intricate relationships, exposing a caste system that is not much talked about, but also the complexity of human nature that never stops surprising us.
*Book from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher.
*Book from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher.
December 15, 2020
Durga returns to Malaysia to visit her grandmother Mary. They have a difficult relationship, both of them having past traumas they'd rather not acknowledge. However, when new information comes to light, will Durga be relieved or left even further devastated?
This was definitely a book of two halves for me. The first half I was confused and really couldn't see what direction this was heading in. However, the second half was brilliant as Mary and Durga's stories started to be revealed and how they overlapped.
I definitely felt for both women, although, both were quite difficult characters. Some of the stuff they went through was genuinely heartbreaking.
It was also great to read a story from a completely different culture, it was definitely insightful! I would love to read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for providing me with a copy to review.
This was definitely a book of two halves for me. The first half I was confused and really couldn't see what direction this was heading in. However, the second half was brilliant as Mary and Durga's stories started to be revealed and how they overlapped.
I definitely felt for both women, although, both were quite difficult characters. Some of the stuff they went through was genuinely heartbreaking.
It was also great to read a story from a completely different culture, it was definitely insightful! I would love to read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for providing me with a copy to review.
February 23, 2021
A beautiful story, so well crafted and full of very beautiful prose. The story takes us through the life of Mary, and also the life of her granddaughter Durga, a story that spans the generations. I found this tale to be a wonderful story of love, life and self restraint ; but most of all I found the story full of hope.I loved this book, it’s full of strong female characters full of independence, it’s very atmospheric and quite dark at times. It’s slow to start but I encourage you to persevere as it reaps its own rewards. This is a beautiful tale , teaching me so much I didn’t know and some beautiful imagery of Malaysia. Highly recommended
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
November 11, 2020
Durga has returned to Malaysia after ten years in Canada and she visits her grandmother, Mary, for Diwali. Her visit sparks, quite literally, events which dredge up the past – a traumatic memory from Durga’s childhood and many painful memories of Mary’s.
The story is told in a dual narrative. One follows the ‘present day’ which is set in 1985. The second explores Mary’s life from 1920 and onwards; through the Second World War and the Emergency during the fight for independence.
It was a story that looked at the consequences of war and occupation, with all its violence and turbulence, on the women and children who have to find a way to endure.
Durga and Mary were flawed, vulnerable but fierce women in their own unique ways and both were very memorable characters who will stand out in my mind for a long time. Their relationship was complex and as the story progresses we learn how the absence of Durga’s mother, the generation that links them, has had an impact on this. The stories Durga has been told of her mother are riddled with secrets.
It’s a story about homecoming; the pain it can invoke, the fond memories of childhood that shimmer in their uncertainty – did it happen like that? It also highlighted the awkwardness of it. The intricate etiquette and manners that have gone years unpracticed by Durga who now has to re-familiarise herself with the culture she grew up in. Even down to the way she thinks; her Canadian mindset often makes her falter back in Malaysia.
Fragile Monsters were lurking in every element of this story and within the characters. Drowned women, cursed tiger princes who turned into frogs but most of all, ghosts at every turn. I loved how the fables and monsters were interwoven from the start through Durga’s fragmented memories of stories and through Mary’s own telling of them. This whole aspect of the story created a really unique atmosphere that I don’t think I’ve experienced with another book.
The writing was so skilful in the way it created such an intense ambience throughout the story. Each time I picked up the book to continue reading, I was immediately swept into the same aura. There were so many lines that made me pause and appreciate the way in which the author had captured a feeling so perfectly and written in such a powerful way.
A captivating, atmospheric story with stunning prose and complex characters.
Many thanks to Viking for the proof copy in exchange for an independent review.
The story is told in a dual narrative. One follows the ‘present day’ which is set in 1985. The second explores Mary’s life from 1920 and onwards; through the Second World War and the Emergency during the fight for independence.
It was a story that looked at the consequences of war and occupation, with all its violence and turbulence, on the women and children who have to find a way to endure.
Durga and Mary were flawed, vulnerable but fierce women in their own unique ways and both were very memorable characters who will stand out in my mind for a long time. Their relationship was complex and as the story progresses we learn how the absence of Durga’s mother, the generation that links them, has had an impact on this. The stories Durga has been told of her mother are riddled with secrets.
It’s a story about homecoming; the pain it can invoke, the fond memories of childhood that shimmer in their uncertainty – did it happen like that? It also highlighted the awkwardness of it. The intricate etiquette and manners that have gone years unpracticed by Durga who now has to re-familiarise herself with the culture she grew up in. Even down to the way she thinks; her Canadian mindset often makes her falter back in Malaysia.
Fragile Monsters were lurking in every element of this story and within the characters. Drowned women, cursed tiger princes who turned into frogs but most of all, ghosts at every turn. I loved how the fables and monsters were interwoven from the start through Durga’s fragmented memories of stories and through Mary’s own telling of them. This whole aspect of the story created a really unique atmosphere that I don’t think I’ve experienced with another book.
The writing was so skilful in the way it created such an intense ambience throughout the story. Each time I picked up the book to continue reading, I was immediately swept into the same aura. There were so many lines that made me pause and appreciate the way in which the author had captured a feeling so perfectly and written in such a powerful way.
A captivating, atmospheric story with stunning prose and complex characters.
Many thanks to Viking for the proof copy in exchange for an independent review.
November 10, 2020
Fragile Monsters by Catherine Menon is a gripping story, exploring the relationship between two women – a grandmother, Mary and her granddaughter, Durga. A story of homecoming, secrets, control, lies and cover-ups. A story of how history could decide the destiny of a person, of a family, of a country. I was completely immersed in the narrative, sometimes shocked, sometimes pleased to discover events and their aftermaths. Both women are strong characters, not easily swayed by tradition or opinions of others. They are bound to collide, but familial bonds also tie them together. There is a sense of the mythical, of spirits and surreal experiences that frame the narrative, and Menon is at her best, creating lyrical prose to offer the turbulent experiences of the characters in this novel to her readers.
I’d like to thank Penguin Random House for a proof copy.
I’d like to thank Penguin Random House for a proof copy.
June 5, 2021
This is a poetic novel! From the characters' behaviours to their inner demons, it serves verses of underlying meaning. Stanzas of messages that grow beyond the final page. I rarely like character-based stories but this is an exception. Check out my blog for more on this.
I like the "feel" as I read; the further I got, the more draining it was. This was good because the characters seem like they were all unhappy. They each had a battle. And I felt drawn.
My issue was readability. The writing style didn't quite settle in my brain. The going back and forth between the eras (WWII - current Malaysia) made things more confusing for me.
And Mary's slang! While I appreciate the authenticity, it got a bit much further into the book. I got distracted trying to imagine how the slang would sound like in real life.
I am glad, however, for some shocking scenes. Some were physical, some were more emotional.
I highly recommend this if you love historical fiction/Asian literature. If you don't (like I didn't), you may want to consider. It's an acquired taste, this one. And perhaps a worthy acquisition.
I like the "feel" as I read; the further I got, the more draining it was. This was good because the characters seem like they were all unhappy. They each had a battle. And I felt drawn.
My issue was readability. The writing style didn't quite settle in my brain. The going back and forth between the eras (WWII - current Malaysia) made things more confusing for me.
And Mary's slang! While I appreciate the authenticity, it got a bit much further into the book. I got distracted trying to imagine how the slang would sound like in real life.
I am glad, however, for some shocking scenes. Some were physical, some were more emotional.
I highly recommend this if you love historical fiction/Asian literature. If you don't (like I didn't), you may want to consider. It's an acquired taste, this one. And perhaps a worthy acquisition.
August 29, 2021
if you asked me at the beginning of the year to pick out my most anticipated reads for 2021, this one would have definitely entered the top 5. it’s no secret that I love a multi-generational family drama, filled with secrecy, poignant commentary and a bit of magical realism. on paper, this one ticks all my boxes so I was very excited to borrow a friends proof copy and dig in.
following the dual timelines of durga and her grandmother mary, mennon delicately crafts a tale rife with cutting statements on race, colonialism, misogyny and family relationships - all intertwined with heart descriptions of malaysian heritage, culture and storytelling. at the centre of the novel is the truth; the truth behind durga’s conception; the truth behind what really happened to her mother; the truth behind her grandmother’s childhood and history. but nothing is every truly revealed, as mennon treads a fine line between the distortions of memory and reality.
the plot and story of fragile monsters is immediately engaging, packed with action, destruction and the promises of romance. perhaps the most jarring aspect of the novel is mennon’s language, which is both cold and clinical as she draws on her own experiences as a mathematics professor channelled through both durga and mary’s respective voices. at times, it also felt difficult to differentiate between the two women’s lives and chapters as so many of their experiences correlate together, echoing how history repeats itself if it is not learned from. slowly, it appears as though the two women become one but there is never any clear resolution.
I cannot lie and say I didn’t feel slightly disappointed in this novel, which seemingly promised so much. the ending, plot twists and mary’s narratives generated the most excitement even if the language and sometimes repetitive nature of the story itself did not. i think with time and reflection however, fragile monsters will slowly implant itself in my memories and heart making for an interesting re-read down the line.
following the dual timelines of durga and her grandmother mary, mennon delicately crafts a tale rife with cutting statements on race, colonialism, misogyny and family relationships - all intertwined with heart descriptions of malaysian heritage, culture and storytelling. at the centre of the novel is the truth; the truth behind durga’s conception; the truth behind what really happened to her mother; the truth behind her grandmother’s childhood and history. but nothing is every truly revealed, as mennon treads a fine line between the distortions of memory and reality.
the plot and story of fragile monsters is immediately engaging, packed with action, destruction and the promises of romance. perhaps the most jarring aspect of the novel is mennon’s language, which is both cold and clinical as she draws on her own experiences as a mathematics professor channelled through both durga and mary’s respective voices. at times, it also felt difficult to differentiate between the two women’s lives and chapters as so many of their experiences correlate together, echoing how history repeats itself if it is not learned from. slowly, it appears as though the two women become one but there is never any clear resolution.
I cannot lie and say I didn’t feel slightly disappointed in this novel, which seemingly promised so much. the ending, plot twists and mary’s narratives generated the most excitement even if the language and sometimes repetitive nature of the story itself did not. i think with time and reflection however, fragile monsters will slowly implant itself in my memories and heart making for an interesting re-read down the line.
December 24, 2022
I really want to read some excellent historical fiction set in Malaysia. It's my heritage and I know so little about it. This was one of the better ones I've read and it was pretty good, but it didn't wow me.
December 2, 2020
I really wanted to like this book. I usually like books set in Asia, and I had never read anything based in Malaysia.
The premise is as follows: Durga visits her grandmother, Mary, for Diwali. There's a firework accident which results in Mary being admitted to hospital and Durga staying home longer than she had anticipated and bringing up some ghosts from the past.
Here's my problem with the book: it's not that it's not well written (I think it is). It's mostly how it's marketed. The description says: "But a reckoning is coming. Stuck together in in the rising heat, both women must untangle the truth from the myth of their family's past. What happened to Durga's mother after she gave birth? Why did so many of their family members disappear during the war? And who is to blame for the childhood tragedy that haunts her to this day?"
So I would expect much more mystery in the book, and a story unfolding. However, most of it focuses on Mary's childhood and the present, and these topics aren't touched upon until about 70% in. By then, I was tired of waiting for it and I was distanced from the story.
My other main problem with the book is that even though it's told from Durga's perspective, it felt like even she was detached from the story, as an omniscent narrator who's also detached from it. So, I was also detached from the main characters. Not because I didn't find bits of myself in them, but because of how they were written.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking for this ARC.
The premise is as follows: Durga visits her grandmother, Mary, for Diwali. There's a firework accident which results in Mary being admitted to hospital and Durga staying home longer than she had anticipated and bringing up some ghosts from the past.
Here's my problem with the book: it's not that it's not well written (I think it is). It's mostly how it's marketed. The description says: "But a reckoning is coming. Stuck together in in the rising heat, both women must untangle the truth from the myth of their family's past. What happened to Durga's mother after she gave birth? Why did so many of their family members disappear during the war? And who is to blame for the childhood tragedy that haunts her to this day?"
So I would expect much more mystery in the book, and a story unfolding. However, most of it focuses on Mary's childhood and the present, and these topics aren't touched upon until about 70% in. By then, I was tired of waiting for it and I was distanced from the story.
My other main problem with the book is that even though it's told from Durga's perspective, it felt like even she was detached from the story, as an omniscent narrator who's also detached from it. So, I was also detached from the main characters. Not because I didn't find bits of myself in them, but because of how they were written.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking for this ARC.
October 8, 2020
"'Oh, Durga' she says. 'All this mathematics, isn't it? Always wanting for it to be right, instead of true.'"
This book was a fascinating read. What starts as a visit to Durga's grandmother for Diwali ends in a dual narrative exposing not only the Malaysian political landscape of most of the 20th Century but also buried memories coming to light. Set between the 1920s and the 1980s, the novel covers a lot of ground. Both Durga and her grandmother, Mary, have skeletons in their closet and while Durga chose to cope by moving to Canada for ten years, Mary chooses to cloak them in myth and storytelling. While Durga has pursued a career in scholarship and mathematics, Mary is a storyteller and somewhat unpleasant old women. I found the story to be highly engaging and interesting both for political insight and internal narrative. It is a heavy book with themes explored that are difficult and hard to read but I think largely they are done well. Some of the treatment of Mary's servant, Karthika, was a little insensitive, particularly the way her character was portrayed but the story is from the perspective of Durga who isn't entirely a lovely person. It definitely prompted me to lookup more about Malaysian history, especially during World War Two as it isn't an area I know much about.
Thank you very much to Penguin General UK and NetGalley for this ARC!
This book was a fascinating read. What starts as a visit to Durga's grandmother for Diwali ends in a dual narrative exposing not only the Malaysian political landscape of most of the 20th Century but also buried memories coming to light. Set between the 1920s and the 1980s, the novel covers a lot of ground. Both Durga and her grandmother, Mary, have skeletons in their closet and while Durga chose to cope by moving to Canada for ten years, Mary chooses to cloak them in myth and storytelling. While Durga has pursued a career in scholarship and mathematics, Mary is a storyteller and somewhat unpleasant old women. I found the story to be highly engaging and interesting both for political insight and internal narrative. It is a heavy book with themes explored that are difficult and hard to read but I think largely they are done well. Some of the treatment of Mary's servant, Karthika, was a little insensitive, particularly the way her character was portrayed but the story is from the perspective of Durga who isn't entirely a lovely person. It definitely prompted me to lookup more about Malaysian history, especially during World War Two as it isn't an area I know much about.
Thank you very much to Penguin General UK and NetGalley for this ARC!
January 11, 2021
I’d like to take a moment to thank the publisher and netgalley for an arc in exchange of an honest review.
I was excited when I started this to read more about Malaysia and the culture. Everything feels so real and heavy and lived in.
Unfortunately for me it also fell flat. While the writing is beautiful it can also be hard to follow. Cultural references are not difficult to understand at all, but the movement in time periods can be disjointed and hard to follow. The plot flits between different character heads mid chapter which I didn’t like.
This novel follows Durga and her grandmother Mary, as Durga returns to Malaysia from living in Canada for 10 years. In some ways this novel felt like my life. I too studied abroad in Canada and my grandma is a big part of my life. However maybe personal circumstances made this too difficult for me right now but the entire novel I bogged down with depressing feelings. There did not seem to be anything redeeming.
The foreigner who may have caused the death of her best friend (or maybe Durga did), the injury of her grandmother, the questions about her mother, her alcoholic great grandmother, Durga’s boyfriend going back to his wife. Everything felt like too much sadness for me. While real life is sad it felt like there was nothing redeeming and likeable about anything in the novel.
I guess is you like being sad it will work for you?
I was excited when I started this to read more about Malaysia and the culture. Everything feels so real and heavy and lived in.
Unfortunately for me it also fell flat. While the writing is beautiful it can also be hard to follow. Cultural references are not difficult to understand at all, but the movement in time periods can be disjointed and hard to follow. The plot flits between different character heads mid chapter which I didn’t like.
This novel follows Durga and her grandmother Mary, as Durga returns to Malaysia from living in Canada for 10 years. In some ways this novel felt like my life. I too studied abroad in Canada and my grandma is a big part of my life. However maybe personal circumstances made this too difficult for me right now but the entire novel I bogged down with depressing feelings. There did not seem to be anything redeeming.
The foreigner who may have caused the death of her best friend (or maybe Durga did), the injury of her grandmother, the questions about her mother, her alcoholic great grandmother, Durga’s boyfriend going back to his wife. Everything felt like too much sadness for me. While real life is sad it felt like there was nothing redeeming and likeable about anything in the novel.
I guess is you like being sad it will work for you?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2021
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DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Netgalley, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, and Penguin Business for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fragile Monsters from Catherine Menon is a family saga spanning from the 1920s to the present, with rural Malaysia serving as a backdrop to the mysteries and secrets that are unraveled. We get the story from two perspectives, one from Durga, a maths Professor at Kuala Lumpur University, and one from Mary, Durga's fierce and sharp-tongued grandmother. Durga is visiting her grandmother and wants nothing more than to spend the days peacefully and leave the house that's filled with painful memories. Her plans go awry when during Diwali celebrations, Mary is met with a firecracker burn incident. This leads to Durga spending more time with her grandmother and the two trying to unlock secrets from the past that haunts them to this day.
The story is a mix of mystery and suspense surrounding the two women who are equally headstrong and fierce. The two have gone through lots of terrible losses that affect their lives moving forward. The trauma is still fresh, making appearances in their present lives and creating waves. The more Durga searches for the truth of the incidents and the history of her family, the more she gets sucked into stories and myths that make no sense. There is no clarity and closure for any of them. We make the journeys through the past with our characters, feeling like we are drowning in all the questions. The story keeps us on our toes and takes us on a wild ride through Kerala to Malaysia. Can Durga separate the fictions of her childhood from the truth?? Is there any truth to be found in her grandmother's grand tales?
Overall, the complexities of relationships, betrayal, and love play a huge role in the narrative. The need for secrets to be buried is at the forefront of both perspectives. The ghosts of the past that haunt the characters pave the path for the progression of the story. It was interesting to see how their mental health was affected by the secrets they held dear. Guilt and love in equal measure pour from them and makes the readers intrigued to peel back the layers of these complex relationships and cultural constraints. The story talks about leaving the past behind where it belongs and moving forward to pull oneself out of festering secrets. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction or literary fiction that focuses on familial relationships and it's complexities. I gave the book 3 stars and I believe it's a wonderful story from a debut writer. I will be interested in reading anything this author will be writing.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL : YOUTUBE
FOLLOW ME ON : TWITTER INSTAGRAM
FR REVIEW :
DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Netgalley, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, and Penguin Business for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fragile Monsters from Catherine Menon is a family saga spanning from the 1920s to the present, with rural Malaysia serving as a backdrop to the mysteries and secrets that are unraveled. We get the story from two perspectives, one from Durga, a maths Professor at Kuala Lumpur University, and one from Mary, Durga's fierce and sharp-tongued grandmother. Durga is visiting her grandmother and wants nothing more than to spend the days peacefully and leave the house that's filled with painful memories. Her plans go awry when during Diwali celebrations, Mary is met with a firecracker burn incident. This leads to Durga spending more time with her grandmother and the two trying to unlock secrets from the past that haunts them to this day.
The story is a mix of mystery and suspense surrounding the two women who are equally headstrong and fierce. The two have gone through lots of terrible losses that affect their lives moving forward. The trauma is still fresh, making appearances in their present lives and creating waves. The more Durga searches for the truth of the incidents and the history of her family, the more she gets sucked into stories and myths that make no sense. There is no clarity and closure for any of them. We make the journeys through the past with our characters, feeling like we are drowning in all the questions. The story keeps us on our toes and takes us on a wild ride through Kerala to Malaysia. Can Durga separate the fictions of her childhood from the truth?? Is there any truth to be found in her grandmother's grand tales?
Overall, the complexities of relationships, betrayal, and love play a huge role in the narrative. The need for secrets to be buried is at the forefront of both perspectives. The ghosts of the past that haunt the characters pave the path for the progression of the story. It was interesting to see how their mental health was affected by the secrets they held dear. Guilt and love in equal measure pour from them and makes the readers intrigued to peel back the layers of these complex relationships and cultural constraints. The story talks about leaving the past behind where it belongs and moving forward to pull oneself out of festering secrets. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction or literary fiction that focuses on familial relationships and it's complexities. I gave the book 3 stars and I believe it's a wonderful story from a debut writer. I will be interested in reading anything this author will be writing.
April 29, 2021
Fragile Monsters by Catherine Menon is an epic beauty of a book. That's it. That's my review! I mean it's not but it literally sums up what I want to say really because it is just such a mesmerising read.
What Catherine has achieved in this 250 page book is nothing short of genuis. A story steeped in Malaysian folklore and myth, a story with so much heart and emotion I easily could of read another 250pgs.
Mary is a difficult Grandmother to love ferocious and opinionated, Durga visits her Ammuma in Rural Malaysia but when the two are forced together due to natural disaster the secrets of their family history are bound to come out.
What follows is a dual timeline told partly from Mary during ww2 and present day when we hear from Durga and this makes it such an enjoyable story. I found the historical parts really insightful and absolutely fascinating to read and then to balance that with the relationship between Mary and Durga is very clever. I loved the relationship between the two and found this relatable to my own Gran in the sense that she was the matriarch of the family but actually sometimes really frustrated me!
I spent three months in the state of Sabah when I was a lot younger and honestly it was a trip of my lifetime. What really made me fall in love with this book is its sense of place. The writing not only has this beautiful lyrical tone to it but its so vivid. I was transported back to Kampongs (villages) listening to stories of Pontianaks and it was honestly magical.
This beautiful, evocative story is full of family secrets, betrayals and history but its full of magic and fable too. It was honestly a complete pleasure reading this book and I honestly can't wait to see what Catherine writes next.
What Catherine has achieved in this 250 page book is nothing short of genuis. A story steeped in Malaysian folklore and myth, a story with so much heart and emotion I easily could of read another 250pgs.
Mary is a difficult Grandmother to love ferocious and opinionated, Durga visits her Ammuma in Rural Malaysia but when the two are forced together due to natural disaster the secrets of their family history are bound to come out.
What follows is a dual timeline told partly from Mary during ww2 and present day when we hear from Durga and this makes it such an enjoyable story. I found the historical parts really insightful and absolutely fascinating to read and then to balance that with the relationship between Mary and Durga is very clever. I loved the relationship between the two and found this relatable to my own Gran in the sense that she was the matriarch of the family but actually sometimes really frustrated me!
I spent three months in the state of Sabah when I was a lot younger and honestly it was a trip of my lifetime. What really made me fall in love with this book is its sense of place. The writing not only has this beautiful lyrical tone to it but its so vivid. I was transported back to Kampongs (villages) listening to stories of Pontianaks and it was honestly magical.
This beautiful, evocative story is full of family secrets, betrayals and history but its full of magic and fable too. It was honestly a complete pleasure reading this book and I honestly can't wait to see what Catherine writes next.
January 9, 2021
This is such an assured and dazzling debut that I can’t quite believe it’s Menon’s first novel!
A beautiful, dark and tragic story which moves between the lives of two Malaysian women - Durga, a young and brilliant mathematician, and her grandmother Mary, who she’s had to come home to for a little while. But the tragedies Mary has endured in her life make her difficult to live with, and even harder to get answers from. What really happened to Durga’s mother, and why does Mary seem to act as though she’s still alive?
Moving from 1920 to the present, this is an ambitious novel filled with stories of war, natural disasters, and the losses that come with them.
I loved the structure of this novel - whilst Mary seems to live a life of stories, half truths and exaggerations, Durga chooses the accuracy and reassurance of maths to try to pin down the reality of her family history.
It also opened my eyes to so many things I knew nothing about - the impact of the war in Malaysia, the culture, lifestyles of the different classes, the language and how difficult it is to bridge the gap between generations. I believe this is the first story I’ve read set in Malaysia, and Menon evokes a real sense of the time and place in the novel.
An original story of family, full of secrets, lies and tragedies, written in the most beautiful and lyrical way - this is an absolutely breathtaking debut and I hope this will make the author one to watch!
A beautiful, dark and tragic story which moves between the lives of two Malaysian women - Durga, a young and brilliant mathematician, and her grandmother Mary, who she’s had to come home to for a little while. But the tragedies Mary has endured in her life make her difficult to live with, and even harder to get answers from. What really happened to Durga’s mother, and why does Mary seem to act as though she’s still alive?
Moving from 1920 to the present, this is an ambitious novel filled with stories of war, natural disasters, and the losses that come with them.
I loved the structure of this novel - whilst Mary seems to live a life of stories, half truths and exaggerations, Durga chooses the accuracy and reassurance of maths to try to pin down the reality of her family history.
It also opened my eyes to so many things I knew nothing about - the impact of the war in Malaysia, the culture, lifestyles of the different classes, the language and how difficult it is to bridge the gap between generations. I believe this is the first story I’ve read set in Malaysia, and Menon evokes a real sense of the time and place in the novel.
An original story of family, full of secrets, lies and tragedies, written in the most beautiful and lyrical way - this is an absolutely breathtaking debut and I hope this will make the author one to watch!
April 20, 2021
Dr Durga Pannikar returns to her childhood home in Malaysia, to spend Diwali with her stubborn grandmother Ammuma. After a shock accident, inadvertently caused by Durga, the story switches between the past and present day: Ammuma’s life in Malaysia, chronicling 1920s to 1985, and Durga’s ongoing battle with her inner demons and the memory of her mother, who died during childbirth.
For a debut, Catherine Menon is on the money. It is a fantastically written novel, with an intricate plot and well-fleshed out main characters.
I loved the relationship between Durga and her headstrong grandmother – there is always an underlying feeling of tension between them, but a strong bond between them too that held until the unsettling final chapters.
I also enjoyed the historical setting of the novel. It was a great introduction to a history that I knew very little about.
The book is layered with stories of truth and lies, myths and fairy-tales. Ammuma is an unapologetic storyteller, weaving her lies into her anecdotes to add an element of romance or action to her tales. It is therefore up to the reader to read between the lines and figure out what it is folklore and what it is truth.
It added a complexity to the story which I enjoyed – but did grow a little tired of at points. Trying to differentiate between truth and lie started to get a little confusing as the novel progressed and at times, I felt like I had to flip back through the chapters to keep a grasp on what was going on.
Although I did begin to tire of the unreliable and somewhat confusing narrative, the ending really made up for it. It was a conclusion that was (surprisingly) unreliable, but it fit perfectly. It was the type of ending that gives you goosebumps and I loved it.
Despite my little criticisms, Fragile Monsters is a great debut from Menon, and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of historical epics and multigenerational stories. It is an intelligent, original, and beautifully visual read and I’ll be looking out for whatever Menon publishes next.
Thank you to Viking for my #gifted copy.
For a debut, Catherine Menon is on the money. It is a fantastically written novel, with an intricate plot and well-fleshed out main characters.
I loved the relationship between Durga and her headstrong grandmother – there is always an underlying feeling of tension between them, but a strong bond between them too that held until the unsettling final chapters.
I also enjoyed the historical setting of the novel. It was a great introduction to a history that I knew very little about.
The book is layered with stories of truth and lies, myths and fairy-tales. Ammuma is an unapologetic storyteller, weaving her lies into her anecdotes to add an element of romance or action to her tales. It is therefore up to the reader to read between the lines and figure out what it is folklore and what it is truth.
It added a complexity to the story which I enjoyed – but did grow a little tired of at points. Trying to differentiate between truth and lie started to get a little confusing as the novel progressed and at times, I felt like I had to flip back through the chapters to keep a grasp on what was going on.
Although I did begin to tire of the unreliable and somewhat confusing narrative, the ending really made up for it. It was a conclusion that was (surprisingly) unreliable, but it fit perfectly. It was the type of ending that gives you goosebumps and I loved it.
Despite my little criticisms, Fragile Monsters is a great debut from Menon, and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of historical epics and multigenerational stories. It is an intelligent, original, and beautifully visual read and I’ll be looking out for whatever Menon publishes next.
Thank you to Viking for my #gifted copy.
February 4, 2021
'Fragile Monsters' by Catherine Menon is about the stories we tell to protect ourselves and our families, and the narratives we construct to survive the past.
Canadian maths professor, Dr Druga Panikkar returns to Malaysia after a long absence and immediately sets fire to the family home. Her ammuma (grandmother) is just as difficult as when Durga was a child. And Durga has forgotten how to be in Malaysia; she can’t quite manage her relationships — with Karthika the servant girl, or her childhood crush on English Tom, or with her infuriating Ammuma. Durga is haunted by her dead girlhood friend, Peony and the tragic death of her own mother. When she delves into the past, she find herself in danger of losing Ammuma.
Although at times I found the storyline a little unclear, I loved the sense of atmosphere and place in this book. Menon vividly brings the family and its home to life. The River Jelai was a sinister presence throughout the story, threatening to destroy everything in its path. Highlights for me also included Ammuma’s flashbacks to the past before Malaysian independence.
Overall, this was a gorgeous story of betrayal and redemption. A terrific debut by Menon. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Penguin for sending me a copy to review.
Canadian maths professor, Dr Druga Panikkar returns to Malaysia after a long absence and immediately sets fire to the family home. Her ammuma (grandmother) is just as difficult as when Durga was a child. And Durga has forgotten how to be in Malaysia; she can’t quite manage her relationships — with Karthika the servant girl, or her childhood crush on English Tom, or with her infuriating Ammuma. Durga is haunted by her dead girlhood friend, Peony and the tragic death of her own mother. When she delves into the past, she find herself in danger of losing Ammuma.
Although at times I found the storyline a little unclear, I loved the sense of atmosphere and place in this book. Menon vividly brings the family and its home to life. The River Jelai was a sinister presence throughout the story, threatening to destroy everything in its path. Highlights for me also included Ammuma’s flashbacks to the past before Malaysian independence.
Overall, this was a gorgeous story of betrayal and redemption. A terrific debut by Menon. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Penguin for sending me a copy to review.
November 12, 2022
Fragile monsters is about tragedy of how war changed a family forever. The main theme is ghosts, but Catherine Menon managed to balance the story of superstition and realistic perspectives through the characters.
Durga is a sharp, realistic woman who come back to her hometown after years of study in Canada. She reunited with her Ammuma, her grandma who live all her life with sharp tongue and loath of modernization. Amumma believes in rituals and legends. Durga studied math in her college. Both haunted by their identical pasts. The story tells about how Durga began to unravel the secrets and lies on her grandma's tales about the past.
In Fragile monsters, ghosts are undead and have their own homes. They stay where they dead. Ammuma created ghosts because she can't forgive herself. Durga was away long enough for the ghosts to come back to settle. At the end, even after the truth has been told, we never know if they forgive themselves.
The setting of time introduced a bit about the situation of war, and how civils lived amongst it.
Fragile monsters' steady, yet mystical delivery of its tales draws me into minds and hearts of characters.
Durga is a sharp, realistic woman who come back to her hometown after years of study in Canada. She reunited with her Ammuma, her grandma who live all her life with sharp tongue and loath of modernization. Amumma believes in rituals and legends. Durga studied math in her college. Both haunted by their identical pasts. The story tells about how Durga began to unravel the secrets and lies on her grandma's tales about the past.
In Fragile monsters, ghosts are undead and have their own homes. They stay where they dead. Ammuma created ghosts because she can't forgive herself. Durga was away long enough for the ghosts to come back to settle. At the end, even after the truth has been told, we never know if they forgive themselves.
The setting of time introduced a bit about the situation of war, and how civils lived amongst it.
Fragile monsters' steady, yet mystical delivery of its tales draws me into minds and hearts of characters.
January 24, 2021
I was really excited for this book; the premise sounded interesting and I do enjoy inter-familial generational dramas. Unfortunately, it ended up falling a bit flat for me. It read very slowly, and I don't always necessarily mind that, but I found it hard to motivate myself to continue reading at times. I liked the dual timeline and perspectives switching from Durga and Mary, her grandmother. I also liked that it was set in Malaysia, as it's a country I don't know much about. Both women deal with an important loss, and it was interesting to see just how intertwined their lives were, despite being completely different people in their personalities. I personally connected more to the character of Mary, a grumpy old woman, so I don't know what that says about me! There were aspects of the book I didn't care for, like Durga and Tom's relationship, and I also think that the big reveal at the end didn't really work for me. Overall, a bit disappointing.
May 26, 2021
I was pretty excited to read this book when I read the synopsis but alas, I may have placed my expectations a little too high. I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I hope I would have. The plot was kind of messy and it can get really confusing when there’s a sudden change in plot or POV without any indication. The world-building was meh, the character development isn’t there, also what is wrong with everyone in the book? Everyone is so grouchy!
I felt there were really a lot of things happening at the same time which made things confusing but the most confusing thing is when the storyline suddenly changed. One moment the narration was from the grandma POV and suddenly the next sentence was the granddaughter narrating. I also struggled to get into the book within the first few chapters perhaps because I didn’t enjoy the writing style. Perhaps the book just isn’t my cup of tea.
I felt there were really a lot of things happening at the same time which made things confusing but the most confusing thing is when the storyline suddenly changed. One moment the narration was from the grandma POV and suddenly the next sentence was the granddaughter narrating. I also struggled to get into the book within the first few chapters perhaps because I didn’t enjoy the writing style. Perhaps the book just isn’t my cup of tea.
July 10, 2021
The novel traces several generations of one family in provincial Malaysia against a background of national change and natural and personal disaster, a family fraught with secrets. The setting, both environmental and cultural is vibrant but also tense with looming disaster. The reader is immersed in sensory details.
The characterisation is often ascerbic. This lends itself to quite original characters but they can be difficult to empathise with. So if you need to like the main characters this may not be your cup of tea. Personally, I don't mind disliking them if they're well drawn. In fact an unlikeable protagonist can be refreshing.
The characterisation is often ascerbic. This lends itself to quite original characters but they can be difficult to empathise with. So if you need to like the main characters this may not be your cup of tea. Personally, I don't mind disliking them if they're well drawn. In fact an unlikeable protagonist can be refreshing.
November 28, 2020
Thank you to netgalley.co.uk for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
As soon as I saw this book available for request, I just had to snap it up. I have read a lot of World War II fiction novels, but this was quite a unique take on the subject for me.
This book was wonderfully written, the descriptions were well done and I really enjoyed reading it. I think it took me about two-three sittings to get through the book. I was flying through the book and didn't realise it. I loved the characters in the book. I would definitely more by this author.
As soon as I saw this book available for request, I just had to snap it up. I have read a lot of World War II fiction novels, but this was quite a unique take on the subject for me.
This book was wonderfully written, the descriptions were well done and I really enjoyed reading it. I think it took me about two-three sittings to get through the book. I was flying through the book and didn't realise it. I loved the characters in the book. I would definitely more by this author.
December 20, 2020
I was excited to read this book from both it’s cover and description, but disappointed that I just couldn’t engage with it.
The start of the book is filled with a sense of foreboding, mystery and hidden secrets as Durga returns to Malaysia to visit her grandmother and revisits her past and stories of her grandmothers past to fill in the gaps in her understanding of her identity.
I haven’t read much on the history of Malaysia, and it was interesting to be given a little insight into this and the changing generations.
Catherine Menon conveys pain, suffering, and sadness effectively, but I really struggled to connect with her characters on a personal or emotional level. There weren’t any likeable characters, and the men particularly were portrayed as being selfish, manipulative and deceitful.
Durga and her grandmother (her Ammuma) are the main protagonists, and neither are likeable or relatable. Even Durga, who’s perspective the novel is written from, is disconnected from the reader as there are stories and storytellers within stories, including unreliable narration.
I also found that there were a lot of unnecessary, unresolved or unexplored themes. There were constant references to Durga’s mathematical brain, that would suggest a need for structure and resolve but I didn’t find her personality consistent with that.
Disappointingly, whilst feeling there was potential here...I was left feeling a little cold and confused after reading this novel. However I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
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