The Morningside isn’t a book for instant gratification. The initial chapters unfold at a measured pace, starting with the story of a young woman, Silvia, who reminisces about a criminal case her mother was involved in when she was a child. This slow start, however, is a deliberate choice. It allows Obreht to establish a melancholic and mysterious atmosphere and the weight of history dominates the narrative. 

We, thus, go back in time, to when 11-year-old Silvia moved to The Morningside, a once-luxurious condominium building in a future ravaged by climate change and war. They are part of a Repopulation Program, resettled on a water-reclaimed island, a shadow of what was Manhattan. Life is a struggle for survival, with strict food ratios and a ban on meat. This dystopian setting is more than just a backdrop it’s a metaphor for the displacement and hardship of refugees. 

Silvia’s world is complicated by the contrasting approaches to exile taken by her mother and Aunt Ena, with whom they live. Her mother seeks to erase the past, even forbidding the use of their native language, “Other”. Ena, however, acts as a bridge to their lost homeland, sharing folktales filled with magic, such as that of a powerful mountain spirit known as the Vila. This contrast highlights the complex emotions of exile: the yearning for a lost past and the desperate need to move on and build a new life. 

Without access to school and friends in the building, Silvia fixates on a Morningside resident, a reclusive tenant with an aura of mystery. Fueled by Ena’s stories and her naiveté, Silvia starts to see Duras as a manifestation of the Vila. Her innocent quest for answers takes a darker turn with the arrival of Mila, another girl who joins her quest. Slowly, Silvia learns more than she bargained for and a tragic act happens involving her mother (cue the mystery that starts the book). 

Transcending the boundaries of typical dystopian tales, The Morningside explores the emotional complexities of exile, the power of storytelling in preserving identity, and the allure of magic in times of hardship. The ending, back to Silvia as an adult, is a poignant exploration of vulnerability and the importance of accepting and confronting the past.

If you are willing to invest in the slow burn of the first part, The Morningside offers a wonderful experience. Obreht combines elements of dystopia, magical realism, mystery, and a deep exploration of exile, making it a thought-provoking and emotional read.