EVERYTHING THE LIGHT TOUCHES Hardcover

"Everything the Light Touches" by Janice Pariat is a beautifully woven novel that intertwines multiple narratives across different times and places, all connected by themes of nature, colonialism, and the pursuit of knowledge. The story follows a young woman named Shai, who embarks on a journey from Delhi to her ancestral home in Meghalaya, tracing the paths of explorers, botanists, and indigenous communities. As she navigates the lush landscapes and rich histories of the Northeast, she encounters characters whose lives are deeply connected to the natural world—a colonial botanist cataloging plants, an indigenous Khasi woman protecting her forest, and a contemporary artist seeking inspiration. The novel explores the delicate balance between human intervention and environmental preservation, the impact of historical legacies on the present, and the profound ways in which people are shaped by the land they inhabit.