‘Everything I Never Told You’ By Celeste Ng [Book Review]

It all begins with Lydia’s death.

One morning, her family members just realize she’s gone. They call the police, and before they know it, the search for her begins. Yet, to their surprise, Lydia’s body is found at the bottom of the lake near their house.

Someone’s behind her death, her mom is convinced. Even Nath, her brother, believes a guy named Jack has something to do with it since they have been too close recently. But they are both wrong.

That’s because Lydia’s death is more complex than any of them has ever imagined. As the narrative progresses, readers are able to get to know more about Lydia’s family and how complicated things have been for them from the very beginning. They also realize how these complications have, directly and indirectly, led to her fall.

“Everything I Never Told You” does begin with Lydia’s death, but it’s definitely not just about that. There is more to it. In fact, it is a portrait of a family that has gone through a lot and is constantly forced to face issues concerning a lot of things, including race and gender.

It is heartfelt and thought-provoking at the same time. Its wise use of dialogues, clever character design, and impressive use of setting enable it to raise important questions without sounding too didactic.