Book Review: The Catch by Warsan Shire Daley-Ward
Sometimes a book wades into our lives unexpectedly and makes us question everything we thought we knew. That was my experience with The Catch by Warsan Shire Daley-Ward. I picked it up, intrigued by the blurbs that promised an exploration of identity straddled with ambivalence, and ended up on a journey that was both perplexing and profoundly rewarding. The duality of the story beckons like a siren song, promising revelation yet shrouded in ambiguity—much like the characters it features.
At the heart of The Catch are twin sisters Clara and Dempsey, whose very lives are reflections of choices made long before they were born. Clara, blessed with beauty and adoptive privilege, is now a successful author grappling with her own demons—alcohol abuse and hollow relationships that leave her feeling more empty than fulfilled. In contrast, Dempsey, the smaller, often overlooked twin, leads a quiet life, entangled in the Instagram-fueled quest for validation, as her therapist nudges her toward superficial solutions that she can hardly afford. It’s a compelling setup that digs deep into complex themes of identity, success, and familial estrangement.
One of the remarkable aspects of Daley-Ward’s writing is her playful manipulation of time and narrative. The unreliable narrator here isn’t a character but the very concept of self. Clara’s interactions with a woman she believes to be their long-deceased mother, Serene, weave a tapestry of past and present that is both enthralling and slightly disorienting. The tension builds as Clara’s belief deepens; is this really their mother, or just a figment of her unraveling imagination? The way Clara’s story dances with Dempsey’s adds layers to their character arcs, making the reader empathize with each in different ways.
What struck me most was the humor that Daley-Ward sneaks into the narrative. Dempsey’s escapades—including a misadventure at a therapeutic retreat—are both hilariously absurd and tinged with the pathos of someone desperately trying to fit in while feeling so perpetually out of place. It was in these moments that I found myself laughing out loud, reflecting on my own follies and insecurities.
The pacing shifts seamlessly from the weighty undertones of familial legacy to the everyday quirks of life, engaging the reader at every turn. The ambiguity of the ending leaves you pondering what you’ve just experienced. “Maybe it’s all real, maybe it’s all a con,” I found myself musing. But therein lied the beauty; it asks us to live in the questions rather than rush to neat conclusions.
I can’t help but hand The Catch a solid five stars; it manages to be ambitious and tongue-in-cheek at the same time. If you’re someone who relishes in fiction that tackles difficult questions about race, parenthood, and the sibling bond with a light touch, this book is a perfect fit. It resonates deeply, lingering in the mind long after the last page is turned.
After reading The Catch, I felt a little more connected to my own messy mosaic of relationships and identities. It is a testament to how literature can challenge us to reflect on our own narratives while bringing clarity to our experiences. Dive in if you’re ready for a story that revels in its own complexity yet invites you along for the ride. You won’t be disappointed.