Suckerfish by Ashani Lewis: A Wry Exploration of Parental Turmoil
In her novel Suckerfish, Ashani Lewis delivers a wry and likably feisty account of the destructive power an unstable parent can wield over her offspring. This review delves into the complexities of family dynamics, mental health, and the lasting impact of chaotic parenting.
The Ordeals of a Difficult Mother
Kolia's mother, Lalita, is a human rights barrister on the verge of being disbarred, whose craving for her adult daughter's attention reaches ferocious levels. When denied, Lalita resorts to extreme measures such as throwing herself in the river, lying down in the middle of the road, or drinking cleaning fluid. Kolia, now in her 20s and tutoring privileged children in London while aspiring to attend art college, recounts how her mother blames her for these actions, stating, "She only did it because I wasn't talking to her."
Kolia fled her mother's home long ago due to an environment filled with smashed plates, cut-up clothes, and physical altercations. However, Lalita's two young sons from a second marriage remain trapped under her chaotic care, which ranges from inappropriate to abusive or downright cruel. In one harrowing instance, when Kolia complained about her small chest as a teen, her mother showed her a photograph of a woman whose breasts had been amputated by soldiers.
Charm and Chaos: A Perplexing Portrait
Despite Lalita's destructive behavior, she is described as charming, hypnotic, and possessing a "wild and flashing" soul with ample passion. This duality makes it challenging for readers to dismiss her actions as mere malice, suggesting an underlying mental illness or mania. Yet, the novel only briefly references "this kind of bi-polar parenting," leaving it ambiguous whether this is meant literally. The cover's description of the book as a "painful love letter to childishness, innocence and imagination" adds to the perplexity, as the narrative feels more like a cry of rage than a tender tribute.
Feisty Writing and Narrative Flaws
Lewis's writing is praised for its verve, pizzazz, and crunchy observations, infused with a wry energy. Characters are astutely drawn, such as Kolia's toothless and unloving grandmother who runs an orphanage. However, the novel struggles with an overreliance on flashbacks; by more than two-thirds through, the story remains firmly lodged in the past, leaving readers yearning for a present where stakes are higher and choices must be made.
Another issue arises when the narrative seems to undermine itself. For example, despite Lalita's history of tormenting her sons and lying about it, Kolia expresses uncertainty about whom to believe—her baffling mother or the children. This observation feels inconsistent given Kolia's own teenage escape from her mother's home to live with her father.
A Meditation on Self-Annihilation
For readers with similar familial experiences, Suckerfish resonates deeply, stirring emotions and reflecting on the annihilation of self caused by narcissistic or mentally unwell parents. Rather than a love letter to innocence, the novel emerges as a powerful meditation on fury and powerlessness. A poignant moment captures this essence: Kolia, wandering unmoored through her childhood home, feels "she's not even a girl, just something angry and small, trying to make sense of her mother's actions."
Suckerfish by Ashani Lewis is published by Dialogue, priced at £20. This review highlights its exploration of difficult themes, making it a compelling read for those interested in family dramas and psychological narratives.
