by Rebecca K Reilly
Greta and Valdin are 20-something siblings who share a New Zealand flat. They are each other’s support system as they figure out life in their late 20s while exploring their Māori heritage, queerness, and love lives.
Their family is a quirky concoction of Māori, Russian, and Catalonian and is so unexpectedly sharp and full of wit while dealing with themes of racism, queerness, mental health and refugees. Rebecca Reilly writes so well, that you dive right in and enjoy the joyful reading without immediately realizing the depth of this novel.
Valdin has recently changed careers from physicist to TV personality, but frequently questions whether he is where he belongs. A year ago, his boyfriend, Xabi, (who also happens to be his uncle’s brother) not only left him, but moved to Buenos Aires. Valdin is fine, just fine. When the TV show takes Valdin to Buenos Aires, however, he may not be so fine as his feelings for Xabi are reignited when they meet up, and Valdin glimpses the future he wants.
Meanwhile, Greta is constantly chasing unrequited love, questioning the point to her Master’s thesis, and wondering how she will survive on her academic salary. When Greta connects with a fellow grad student at a party, the relationship puts her on a path to learning not only how to be a good partner, but also to discovering herself. In this journey to self discovery, Greta has a growing awareness of the complexities of her family.
The chaos that is Greta and Valdin’s family surrounds the siblings’ story. Their misadventures are intertwined with family dinners, visits, and disclosures that are all told in this sometimes laugh-out-loud, yet undeniably emotional read that is totally lovable and stays with you after the last page is turned.
If you’re looking for a fun read with an underlying selection of thoughtful themes, pick this one up for a truly delightful story that will brighten your day.