I don’t think I have read any fiction carrying a dysfunctional family theme with this bunch of mental health issues before. This would be the first, and it amazes me on how I actually enjoyed it a lot— although I would say, it was stressful, harrowing and quite blistering too.

Bad Fruit was narrated from Lily’s perspective who lives under the scrutiny of her volatile Singaporean mother, May. When her mom becomes unhinged due to her dad’s suspected affair, Lily starts to have flashbacks which she knows aren’t her own. The family drama becomes more tangled afterwards; series of shattering revelation, siblings with their own complex state and how Lily trying to detach herself from all the mental conflicts that shaking her physically.

This book really giving me so much roller coaster of emotions, slowpaced yet the exploration on the character’s behaviours and mental health were so grippingly crafted. It delves so descriptively into the toxicity of family ties; the dynamic was so flawed with overwhelming fragments of generational trauma, domestic abuse, resentment, of trust and lies, manipulation and the level of fragility that one’s psyche could handled. Intricate and thrilling characterization; Lily can be unreliable but I like her disturbing narration— wicked and so taut. Also. I love the etymology refs and the highlighted peranakan food and culture in between its narrative.

Such an impressively written psychological and literary plot to me— the twisted element in its conflicts were so darkly addictive that I think this would be the most damaged group of characters could ever existed in a plot. Interesting on how the ‘bad fruit’ that specifically related to spoiled orange juice in this story could represents the unpleasant ‘acidity’ of its character’s relationships as well. 4 stars to this!

Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy to review!