Sea Change

More about the book

Ro is in her thirties, estranged from her mother, and recently abandoned by her boyfriend, who has left for a mission to Mars. She drags herself to a dull job at an aquarium, spending her evenings drinking sharktinis and feeling increasingly isolated as her best friend prepares for her wedding. Ro’s only solace comes from Dolores, a giant Pacific octopus and her last connection to her father, a marine biologist who vanished during an expedition when Ro was a teenager. When Dolores is sold to a wealthy investor, Ro faces a crisis that threatens her very existence. As she navigates memories of her past, Ro has one final opportunity to confront her childhood trauma, reconnect with those around her, and carve out her place in a shifting world. Critics praise the writing as masterful and original, highlighting the emotional depth and beauty of the prose. The story explores themes of family, loss, friendship, and self-love, capturing the complexities of human relationships with tenderness and insight. The author, a Korean American writer from New Jersey, has been recognized as a promising voice in contemporary literature, with her debut novel showcasing her unique blend of wit and vulnerability.