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The Things That We Lost

The Things That We Lost

Summary

AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVEL OF 2023

WINNER OF THE 2021 #MERKY BOOKS NEW WRITERS' PRIZE

Nik has lots of questions about his late father but knows better than to ask his mother, Avani. It's their unspoken rule.

But when his grandfather dies, Nik has the opportunity to learn about the man he never met. Armed with a key and new knowledge about his parents' past, Nik sets out to unlock the secrets that his mother has been holding onto his whole life.

The Things That We Lost is a beautifully tender exploration of family, loss and how far we will go to protect the ones we love.

Reviews

  • Incredibly moving, this is an immersive novel focusing on grief but also love and relationships. I fell in love with Avani and Nik, characters so real I could hardly believe they're fictional. Jyoti Patel is a hugely exciting new writer.
    Louise Hare, This Lovely City and Miss Aldridge Regrets

About the author

Jyoti Patel

Jyoti Patel was born in Paris to British Indian parents and grew up in North West London. She is a graduate of the Creative Writing Prose Fiction MA at the University of East Anglia and winner of the 2021 #Merky Books New Writers' Prize. Her writing has previously been published as part of We Present's Literally Series. The Things That We Lost is her debut novel.
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