Thought Train to Pusan

Listened to as an audiobook, read by the author. And what a calm and straightforward voice! I can’t remember why Exit West came on my radar (I think I saw someone talking about it on Twitter?) but in any case, it was well worth the read. A story tied to real-world pain but with a fantasy element to string the story along. Does this magical realism entirely work? Mileage may vary, but overall I think the novel was successful in what it set out to do. Exit West follows the story of Saeed and Nadia, in the early stages of a relationship within an unnamed country/city that is on the brink of civil war. As the two navigate their relationship with one another, the violent realties of their lives is inescapable, and inevitably begins to inform their relationship and how much they try to hold on to this good piece of their lives, changing as their situation requires. But amidst all this violence, they hear of doors: doors that will lead to another unknown place. Following these doors,...