Chris M

Abscond is a brief but evocative tale of grief and cultural identity, told through the eyes of 13-year-old Ravi, an Indian-American boy. Much of the story explores his inner turmoil as he grapples with sudden loss, and Verghese’s language is beautifully chosen, lending emotional resonance to each moment. However, the constraints of the short story format didn’t allow for much character development beyond Ravi’s perspective, which made the narrative feel a bit limited. I found myself wishing for more balance between introspection and forward motion.