Ashani Lewis's 'Suckerfish' Delves into the Chaos of a Destructive Mother
Ashani Lewis's debut novel, Suckerfish, presents a wry and feisty exploration of the profound damage an unstable parent can inflict on her children. The story centers on Kolia, a young woman in her 20s tutoring affluent children in London while aspiring to attend art college, who grapples with the relentless turmoil caused by her mother, Lalita.
A Mother's Repeated Crises and Emotional Manipulation
Lalita, a human rights barrister facing disbarment, is described as a "repeat offender" when it comes to suicide attempts, using them as a tool to demand her adult daughter's attention. When Kolia withdraws, Lalita resorts to extreme measures: throwing herself into a river, lying in the middle of a road, or ingesting cleaning fluid. She blatantly blames Kolia, asserting, "She only did it because I wasn't talking to her." This pattern of manipulation highlights the toxic dynamic that defines their relationship.
Kolia fled her mother's home years ago to escape an environment marked by smashed plates, destroyed clothing, and physical altercations. However, her two younger half-brothers remain trapped in Lalita's chaotic care, which ranges from inappropriate to outright abusive. In one harrowing instance, when teenage Kolia expressed insecurity about her chest size, Lalita showed her a photograph of a woman whose breasts had been amputated by soldiers—a cruel act that underscores her mother's capacity for emotional cruelty.
The Complexity of Lalita's Character and Mental Health Questions
Despite her destructive behavior, Lalita is portrayed with nuance: she can be charming, hypnotic, and possesses a "wild and flashing" soul filled with passion. This complexity leads readers to suspect an underlying mental illness, possibly mania or bipolar disorder, though the novel only briefly references "this kind of bi-polar parenting" without definitive clarity. The book's cover description as a "painful love letter to childishness, innocence and imagination" feels misleading, prompting questions about the true nature of the narrative—is it a love letter or something darker?
Lewis's Writing Style and Narrative Structure
Lewis's prose is likably feisty and vibrant, brimming with verve and crunchy observations that bring the characters to life. Kolia's grandmother, a toothless and unloving orphanage manager, is particularly memorable. However, the novel's heavy reliance on flashbacks becomes a drawback; by the latter two-thirds, the plot remains entrenched in the past, leaving readers yearning for more present-day action and stakes. This structural choice tests the patience of those seeking progression and resolution.
Contradictions and Emotional Resonance
The narrative occasionally undermines itself with perplexing contradictions. For example, despite Lalita's history of tormenting her sons and habitual lying, Kolia expresses uncertainty about whom to believe—her mother or the children—a stance that seems inconsistent given her own traumatic past. As a reader with personal echoes of difficult maternal relationships, I found the story stirring, not as a love letter but as a meditation on self-annihilation and the damage wrought by narcissistic or mentally unwell parents.
Ultimately, Suckerfish resonates as a cry of rage and powerlessness, far removed from themes of innocence. The most poignant moment captures Kolia feeling reduced to "something angry and small, trying to make sense of her mother's actions." This raw emotion underscores the novel's powerful commentary on familial trauma.
