Wave

A Memoir

By: Sonali Deraniyagala

Narrated by: Hannah Curtis

Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

On the morning of December 26, 2004, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Sonali Deraniyagala lost her parents, her husband, and her two young sons in the tsunami she miraculously survived. In this brave and searingly frank memoir, she describes those first horrifying moments and her long journey since. She has written an engrossing, unsentimental, beautifully poised account: as she struggles through the first months following the tragedy, furiously clenched against a reality that she cannot face and cannot deny; and then, over the ensuing years, as she emerges reluctantly, slowly allowing her memory to take her back through the rich and joyous life she’s mourning, from her family’s home in London, to the birth of her children, to the year she met her English husband at Cambridge, to her childhood in Colombo; all the while learning the difficult balance between the almost unbearable reminders of her loss and the need to keep her family, somehow, still alive within her.

©2013 Sonali Deraniyagala (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Out of unimaginable loss comes an unimaginably powerful book. Wave is unflinching as it charts the depths of grief, but it's also, miraculously, a beautifully detailed meditation on the essence of happiness. I came away from this stunning book with a new appreciation of life’s daily gifts. I urge you to read Wave. You will not be the same person after you've finished." (Will Schwalbe)

" Wave is a haunting chronicle of love and horrifying loss. The heartfelt writing manages to render the absence of the loved ones - the void, and the pain of it - in such a beautiful way that what was lost emerges as a new life form, one whose flesh and sinew are memory, sorrow, and undying love." (Abraham Verghese)

Exquisite story of loss and acceptance

Beautifully written and moving story of a loss of a family, the darkness that follows, and the deep resilience of the human spirit to manage through. This book makes it on the list of the top 10 best books I've ever read. Dr. Sonali was one of my lecturers at SOAS and she inspired me then and continues to inspire me now. I couldn't stop crying in the end!

review

it was disarmingly honest especially her relationship with alcohol and her stalking the people who moved into her house. I work as a grief counsellor and it was good to have seven years after a death spoken about.

Heart wrenching yet so authentic

I listened to this book with apprehension as a mother, wife and human being. This is a beautifully written portrayal of family and grief . I will never forget the gift of this book.

Beautifully written heartrending tale

I would highly recommend this book.The story is expertly and poignantly narrated. What a courageous woman!

A delicate balance.

How do you tell a story like this without overwhelming your reader. Ms. Deraniyagala uses a delicate balance of uninhibited honesty and an innate wisdom of just how much to tell. She does not hide from the unfairness in the world, even when the unfairness come from her own actions. This was a beautifully authentic book to read.

Unremitting grief.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wave?

Although we all know it logically, Wave reminds us of how quickly life can change.

Not easy to tear myself away.

What did you love best about Wave?

Simple, declarative prose. The lector had a lovely, warm, wonderful voice, perfect for the task.

Any additional comments?

Difficult, painful account of recovering from the loss of closest family, children, parents, spouse. The experience of coming to terms with the places and ephemera associated with their lives. To flinch and turn away? And thereby continue a clenched life? or find a way to coexist and maybe tentatively embrace the visual and audible and gustatory reminders?
A very brave account.

A memoir of great emotional depth

"healing in progress". She expresses her loss so intimately that the reader not only grieves with her, but also heals with her.

Hard to read this very real story

This is a true story about the massive tidal wave and one woman's journey through devastating loss. Heartbreaking real story.

Tragic. Raw. Heart-Ripping!

This story really is an insight into Sonali's slide into deep depression and how she tries and tries to let loved ones go. I most appreciated her candor and details of the tragic events which took the lives of her family and parents. This book (more than any other book ive read) allows the listener/reader to introspect on how they would handle such a tragedy. Would we be brave and strong? Would we give up? Would we be reminded every day of our loss by tiny daily things?

listen to this book with an open mind as to how you might deal with the unforseen.