I chose this book because it was selected for the short list for the Miles Franklin Literary Award 2024.

Although not in the same category as "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", this book deals with some of the same themes as the narrator relates her deterioration of mental health as she tries to reconcile religion, Western Philosophy, and post-graduate study.

The choice of first person for the narration is essential for the unfolding of the plot as the narrator navigates social norms relating to mental health in Victoria. She undergoes home visits by the mental health, community housing, and enforced hospitalisation.

The narrator effectively conveys the loss of control over her life as society forces her to regain mental health. Exposition is handled effectively through the exploration by the narrator for reasons for her current predicament.

Since I was able to finish reading this, I can predict that this book will not win the Miles Franklin 2024 Literary Award.