There Are More Things takes apart the patchwork of a mixed cultural identity, much like its predecessor, Stubborn Archivist. Melissa and Catarina, the two protagonists, on the face of it have nothing in common. Catarina belongs to a well-known family in Brazil and has grown up with the looming grief of her dead aunt, Laura. Melissa is a south London native who comes from a line of strong, independent women.
In January 2016 they became friends just as Brazil and the UK are mired in political turmoil. Their collective and individual histories form the crux of the story, traversing several generations and continents. From the chaotic London riots and Brexit to the dark era of Brazil’s military dictatorship, this novel paints a stirring portrait of the legacy of violence.
While the themes that this novel tackles are harrowing, they are handled with the most delicate and deft touch. Issues like queerness, casual racism, the anxiety of being in a foreign land and the pressure of being grateful for being allowed the same opportunities as a white person are sensitively depicted in Fowler’s vivid prose.
The book also highlights how what accounts for trauma is subjective and often whitewashed. A character reflects on how events such as Brexit or Diana’s death have been well documented while others are censored or “buried by trauma”.
The book substantially dwells in the past but is acutely self-aware of the plights of modern life. Melissa is engulfed by an all-encompassing grief after the unexpected loss of her mother. The inaccessibility of mental health help is highlighted when her friends suggest that she seek psychiatric help by mentioning to the NHS that she is suicidal to circumvent the never-ending waiting list.
Like Stubborn Archivist, this book experiments with form and features prose interspersed with recipes, poetry and recurrent phrases. While it is refreshing to read a format which keeps readers on their toes, at times this lack of structure can feel disjointed and confusing. This book is character-driven, so the absence of a coherent story leads to a meandering plot. However, the book’s clear-sighted intentions and compassion make this an enriching read.
