Set in the author's native Cyprus, this book tells the story of Nisha - a migrant from Sri Lanka who works as a child minder in order to provide for her daughter back home - from the points of view of (her employer) Petra and (her lover) Yiannis as they try to solve the mystery of her sudden disappearance. As well as enduring love, some of the overriding themes include grief - both Petra and Nisha are widows - plus the relationship between mothers and their children and sacrificing everything you have in order to try and live a better life.
Although this is a topical story with the migration of people across the Mediterranean, traditional literary devices such as the strong opening paragraph, characterisation and scene setting to hook readers in are also present. The switching points of view between Petra and Yiannis are clearly signposted by the author and help to make the story more accessible, and the repetition of/use of italics for certain words, phrases and sentences for emphasis at certain points of the novel was also effective.
Although this is a topical story with the migration of people across the Mediterranean, traditional literary devices such as the strong opening paragraph, characterisation and scene setting to hook readers in are also present. The switching points of view between Petra and Yiannis are clearly signposted by the author and help to make the story more accessible, and the repetition of/use of italics for certain words, phrases and sentences for emphasis at certain points of the novel was also effective.