Tara Menon's 'Under Water' Novel: A Deep Dive into Grief and Environmental Fragility
Tara Menon's debut novel, 'Under Water,' presents a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the delicate balance of nature, set in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 tsunami in Thailand. The story centers on Marissa, a travel writer based in New York, who crafts vivid descriptions of pristine beaches from her desk while grappling with personal trauma. As Hurricane Sandy looms over the city, Marissa's memories transport her back to the horrors of the tsunami, where she mourns both the ocean's lost beauty and her dear friend Arielle.
The Emotional Core: Friendship and Grief
At the heart of the narrative lies Marissa's profound bond with Arielle, a character depicted as nearly perfect from their first meeting in a Thai school. Arielle is portrayed as an exceptional diver, a skilled footballer, and a figure of immense bravery and beauty. However, this perfection sometimes renders her character repetitive, with frequent descriptions of eye-rolling and other physical gestures that can feel overused. Menon relies heavily on such physical cues—gasps, nods, shrugs, and sighs—to convey emotions, which at times overshadows deeper narrative subtlety.
The friendship between Marissa and Arielle is illustrated through their shared adventures, from dropping insects on tourists to serving spicy chillies to harassing men, actions meant to showcase their independence. Their love for the ocean is expressed through diving and swimming, yet these moments occasionally come across as performative rather than authentic. For instance, their matching turtle tattoos and burial of a strangled turtle highlight their environmental concerns but risk feeling forced.
Environmental Themes and Narrative Style
Menon skillfully addresses the fragility of the natural world, emphasizing the impacts of tourism and the climate crisis. Marissa's connection to Thailand's biodiverse environment is contrasted with the superficial experiences of tourists, a theme that resonates strongly in today's eco-conscious literary landscape. Scenes where Marissa and Arielle name individual manta rays underscore their intimate relationship with the ocean, though at times, the narrative lapses into lists of marine species, such as "fiery scorpion fish, yellow frog-fish, red snappers," which can disrupt the flow.
The tsunami sequences are among the novel's most powerful moments, with Menon's emphatic style effectively capturing the physical pain and destruction. However, the plot's attempt to surprise readers with Arielle's fate falls flat, as it is heavily foreshadowed throughout the story. This structural choice may leave some readers feeling disconnected from the intended emotional impact.
Conclusion: Nature as Solace
In the concluding chapters, Marissa returns to Thailand, seeking solace in the ocean she loves. A scene where she is surrounded by mantas, with the rays swimming in circles around her, symbolizes nature's potential to heal human grief. While this moment aims to offer a hopeful resolution, its neatness may not fully convince readers, leaving a sense of unevenness in the storytelling. Overall, 'Under Water' is a compelling debut that tackles significant themes but struggles with consistency in its narrative execution.
'Under Water' by Tara Menon is published by Summit, priced at £16.99, and available through various book retailers.
