The Bones of Grace: A Novel

The Bones of Grace is a series of stories that create one larger narrative connected through the main character Zubaida Haque. The backbone of the story is Zubaida’s internal monologue as she explains everything to Elijah, the man she loves. She starts with their first meeting, their separation, her marriage to another man, and her hunt for connections to the past. The narrative veers between Zubaida and Elijah, a local man and his search for his lost love, and eventually Zubaida’s search for her own biological parents. Along the way, Zubaida finds herself in increasingly exotic locations including a paleontological dig and a shipyard where massive ships are broken apart.

While this book is the third in a trilogy, it can stand alone. Tahmima Anam’s writing is lyrical and intimate, granting the reader an insight into Zubaida that breathes her vividly into life. It is powerful and beautifully written, tinged with hope but beset by tragedy. It is a modern love story that examines all the various forms of love. The Bones of Grace glimmers with hope, shimmers with beautiful prose, and shines with vivid characterization.