Wave
Wave
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Brief
240
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Sri Lanka • 2000s
2013
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala follows the author's harrowing journey after losing her husband, parents, and two children in the 2004 Asian tsunami, starting with their attempts to escape the wave and detailing her subsequent struggle with profound grief, guilt, and identity. The memoir vividly recounts her painful, years-long process of grappling with her immense loss and finding a way to live with her memories.
Melancholic
Emotional
Unnerving
Dark
Reviews & Readership
24,252 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala has been widely praised for its raw, heartbreaking narrative and powerful depiction of grief. Reviewers appreciate Deraniyagala’s unflinching honesty and lyrical writing. However, some find the intense emotional content overwhelming and wish for more narrative structure. Despite this, the memoir's exploration of trauma and resilience deeply resonates with readers.
Who Should Read Wave?
Readers who appreciate deeply personal memoirs like When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi or Wild by Cheryl Strayed will find Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala compelling. It’s perfect for those interested in visceral, emotional narratives of grief, survival, and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.
24,252 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
240
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Sri Lanka • 2000s
2013
Adult
18+ years
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