Harare Review of Books

192 pages.

First published May 1, 2024 (West Virginia University Press).

Fiction.

Breathtaking experimental writing from Sejal Shah.

I’m new to Shah’s work, but something about these stories caught my eye (and it wasn’t even the blurb). What I found was a beautiful collection of reflections, memories, images, and letters (all fictional, from the title) from a young woman (or perhaps women) growing up Brown (specifically, Gujarati) in parts of the US. How to Make Your Mother Cry actually defies description; it’s something readers have to experience for themselves, like any sublime work of art. And while it’s true that not all formally inventive writing works, this collection succeeds brilliantly. It’s a deeply moving, truly emotive work.

Grateful thanks to West Virginia University Press and Edelweiss for one of my favourite reads of the year, and certainly one of my all-time reading highlights. Very highly recommended.

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