Western Lane

by Chetna Maroo
Western Lane cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1093
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-09-26
  • ISBN: 9781039004054
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2024-08-06
  • Formats: 19
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Western Lane is a poignant and beautifully crafted debut novel that delves into the life of Gopi, a young squash player whose world is upended by the loss of her mother. As her father immerses her in a rigorous training regimen, the sport becomes her sanctuary and her identity, pulling her away from her sisters and the world beyond the court. The novel captures the raw emotions of grief, the complexities of sisterhood, and the transformative power of sport. /n/n Chetna Maroo's prose is both lyrical and unflinching, offering a profound exploration of innocence, loss, and the search for self. The story is not just about squash but about the connections we forge and the ways we learn to navigate life's challenges. Western Lane is a testament to the beauty and brutality of growing up, making it a compelling read for anyone who has ever sought solace in the rhythm of their passions.

Reviews
Judith McKinnon's Blog · Judith McKinnon · 2025-01-25
beautiful 4.75

The book is a beautifully written, short novel that offers a poignant imagining of a family's grief through a child's eyes. The writing is exquisite and the story is nicely judged.

Judith McKinnon highlights the exquisite writing and the beautifully judged narrative of this short novel. She appreciates how the story captures the essence of a family's grief through the eyes of a child, making it a deeply moving and poignant read. The reviewer also mentions learning a lot about squash, which adds an interesting layer to the story. Overall, it's a lovely book that resonates with emotional depth and sensitivity.

Quick quotes

    A lovely book, not very long, but nicely judged

    The writing is gorgeous

    A beautiful imagining of a family's grief through a child's eyes

Reading in Bed · Rebecca · 2023-11-19
illuminating 4.00

The book explores the expectations placed on young Gujarati women in England and delves into themes of sisterhood and family dynamics after a loss. The narrative is both revealing and emotionally resonant.

This novel shines a light on the cultural expectations and pressures faced by young Gujarati women in England, offering a poignant look at sisterhood and how a family navigates grief. Rebecca found the portrayal of these themes to be both illuminating and deeply moving, highlighting the author's ability to capture the complexities of family dynamics with sensitivity and insight.

Quick quotes

    Illuminating in terms of what is expected of young Gujarati women in England

    On sisterhood and a bereaved family's dynamic

    A poignant look at cultural expectations and family bonds

The Guardian · 2023-04-26
tender 4.50

The novel vividly conveys the tensions of family life, making it a compelling exploration of growing pains and grief through the lens of squash.

The reviewer at The Guardian praises the novel for its vivid portrayal of family tensions and the way it uses the game of squash as a metaphor for the characters' emotional journeys. They appreciate how the story captures the nuances of grief and growing up, making it a tender and impactful debut. The writing is described as evocative and deeply moving, offering a unique perspective on family dynamics and personal growth.

Quick quotes

    The tensions of family life are vividly conveyed

    A novel of growing pains, grief and squash

    A tender debut

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