Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This one was released from Tin House Books in the US on November 12th, 2024.

In The Burrow, Melanie Cheng crafts an evocative exploration of grief, family, and the quiet, often unseen struggles that accompany deep loss. Set four years after the tragic death of Jin and Amy's six-month-old daughter, Ruby, the novella delves into the aftermath of this unspeakable tragedy through the eyes of four family members—Jin, Amy, Lucie, and Pauline—as they navigate the delicate and painful process of healing. The arrival of a pet rabbit into their home, initially sought as a distraction for Lucie, becomes a poignant symbol of the complex web of emotions that each character grapples with. In alternating perspectives, Cheng masterfully paints a picture of each character’s inner turmoil, from Lucie’s resistance to naming the rabbit, to Amy’s struggles with writing and reconciling with her estranged mother, to Jin’s chest pains, a manifestation of unresolved grief.

Cheng’s writing is beautifully introspective and emotionally charged, with each sentence carrying the weight of unspoken sorrow. She uses vivid metaphors and sensory details to immerse the reader in the characters' experiences, creating a sense of both internal and external tension. Describing grief as something that gnaws at the body—comparable to a necrotic wound—Cheng brings physicality to the emotions her characters feel, making their pain palpable and raw. The language is often contemplative, allowing the characters’ internal reflections to slowly unfurl as they navigate their unspoken truths. It’s a style that invites the reader to sit with the complexity of loss, to feel the deep ache that lingers long after a loved one is gone.

At its heart, The Burrow is about the quiet perseverance of a family trying to rebuild itself in the wake of unthinkable loss. The presence of the rabbit, though small and seemingly insignificant, serves as a catalyst for connection and healing, a gentle reminder that care, even in the smallest forms, can offer a measure of solace. However, the novel also examines how grief remains an enduring presence, often unspoken, as characters adjust to new roles and relationships. The tension between independence and interdependence plays out throughout, as Jin and Amy struggle not only with their grief but also with each other, revealing the often fragile nature of family bonds.

In a broader sense, The Burrow reflects on the difficulty of finding meaning in the aftermath of trauma, particularly when the pain is both internal and external. The pandemic backdrop adds an additional layer of isolation, intensifying the characters' struggles and further complicating their path toward healing. Cheng’s deft handling of these themes—grief, isolation, family dynamics, and the search for healing—makes The Burrow a beautifully poignant meditation on how we survive loss, not by forgetting, but by finding ways to keep going, even when it feels impossible.

📖 Recommended For: Readers who appreciate introspective and emotionally charged prose, those interested in exploring the complexities of grief and healing, fans of literary fiction that delves into family dynamics and loss, and readers who enjoy meditative, character-driven narratives.

🔑 Key Themes: Grief and Loss, Family Dynamics, Healing and Reconnection, Finding Meaning in Trauma, Hope Amidst Despair.