AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVEL OF 2023

WINNER OF THE 2021 #MERKY BOOKS NEW WRITERS' PRIZE

'Secrets spill and relationships sour, sacrifices are made and promises are broken, as plot twists propel the narrative forward to a dramatic finale.'- The Guardian

'An assured debut from a vital new voice. About family, grief and belonging, Patel weaves an intricate story that will stay with you.' - Nikesh Shukla, author of Brown Baby and The Good Immigrant

Nik has lots of questions about his late father but knows better than to ask his mother, Avani. It's their unspoken rule.

When his grandfather dies, Nik has the opportunity to learn about the man he never met. Armed with a key and new knowledge about his parents' past, Nik sets out to unlock the secrets that his mother has been holding onto his whole life.

As the carefully crafted portrait Avani has painted for her son begins to crack, and painful truths emerge, can the two of them find their way back to each other?

The Things That We Lost is a beautifully tender exploration of family, loss and the lengths to which we go to protect the ones we love.


'Brilliant.' - Candice Brathwaite, author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother and Sista Sister

'Incredibly moving, this is an immersive novel focusing on grief but also love and relationships. I fell in love with Avani and Nik, characters so real I could hardly believe they're fictional. Jyoti Patel is a hugely exciting new writer.' - Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City and Miss Aldridge Regrets

'A thoughtful meditation on family, grief and the lengths we'll go to protect the ones we love.' - Good Housekeeping

'A deftly assured debut novel about a fractured family and how words left unspoken can be more devastating than the truth.' - Red Magazine

'One of the best books I've read this year.' - gal-dem

About the Author
Jyoti Patel was born in Paris to British Indian parents and grew up in North West London. She is a graduate of the University of East Anglia's Prose Fiction MA and winner of the 2021 #Merky Books New Writers' Prize. Her writing has previously been published as part of We Present's 'Literally' series and in the anthology for the 2022 Bristol Short Story Prize, for which she was shortlisted. The Things That We Lost is her debut novel.

Reviews
An assured debut from a vital new voice. About family, grief and belonging, Patel weaves an intricate story that will stay with you. * Nikesh Shukla, author of Brown Baby and The Good Immigrant *
Brilliant. * Candice Brathwaite *
Incredible. * Guz Khan *
Effortlessly weaving intricate intergenerational stories across time, Jyoti has written a poignant debut. * Christian Adofo, author of A Quick Ting on #Afrobeats *
A big book, full of assured and affecting writing. . Secrets spill and relationships sour, sacrifices are made and promises are broken, as plot twists propel the narrative forward to a dramatic finale. * The Guardian *
One of the best books I've read this year. * gal-dem *
A thoughtful meditation on family, grief and the lengths we'll go to protect the ones we love. * Good Housekeeping *
A deftly assured debut novel about a fractured family and how words left unspoken can be more devastating than the truth. * Red Magazine *
Patel's novel revolves around the lingering trauma of bereavement and shows the lengths we go to to protect those closest to us. Sensitively written with a deep, emotional undercurrent. * Mr Porter *
Highly recommended. * Huffington Post *
The debut novel from 2021 Merky Books New Writers' Prize winner Jyoti may be one of the best books you read this year. The Things That We Lost is an achingly tender and heartfelt exploration of family, loss, and the lengths to which we go to protect the ones we love... Jyoti Patel is an exciting new writer, deftly exploring deep family intricacies, love and grief in equal measure. * Platinum *
An invigorating narrative centred around family, loss and protection. * The Handbook *
There is an immersive and intimate quality about Patel's writing - from its portrayal of London teenage slang to the detailed depiction of British-Gujarati culture. Her characters have a depth that brings a poignant reality to issues around coping with grief, abuse and racial prejudice, and navigating family and friendship dynamics. An enthralling read." * Breaking News.ie *
Immeasurably moving, a poignant and touching story about love and family bonds, and an especially tender portrait of a mother and son. * Huma Qureshi *
A deeply reflective, searching depiction of grief. * Rabeea Saleem, The Times Literary Supplement *
The Things That We Lost took me by the hand and guided me through my worst ever reading slump! Patel writes about the complexities of family life with such wisdom and heart. * Sairish Hussain *
Captivating and deeply moving. * Mohsin Zaidi *
Frank, funny and light on its feet, it's a novel about generations, hopes and grief. A writer with a deft turn of phrase. * Ali Smith *
A beautiful novel; it feels real and honest, with characters that seem to lift off the page and come alive...[it] is a book bursting with love * The List *
Immeasurably moving, a poignant and touching story about love and family bonds, and an especially tender portrait of a mother and son. * Huma Qureshi *



Book Information
ISBN 9781529186338
Author Jyoti Patel
Format Hardback
Page Count 384
Imprint Merky Books
Publisher Cornerstone
Weight(grams) 498g
Dimensions(mm) 222mm * 144mm * 35mm