Breathing in color

Synaesthesia is an extraordinary sensory condition that makes people see the world in a kaleidoscope of shapes, colors and smells.

 

I have a special regard for books that bring out a lesser known phenomenon in an artistic way. Breathing in color is one such book. Beneath its simple, beautiful story lies a tribute to all synaesthetes and to their beautiful gift of seeing color in everything. Set in India the novel revolves around Alicia Salter and her synaesthete daughter Mia who has disappeared when on a trip to India. Alicia comes to India determined to find her daughter. In the process she discovers she has lost her daughter long before her trip to India. Along with a quirky but concerned artist Tao who she meets in India, the mother sets out on a daunting task of rediscovering and finding her missing daughter. For Mia though, everything is always painted, everything has a color, some inviting, some agonizing...but she has always reserved a warm vanilla for her loving mother whom she has forever lost after an unintentional but distressing incident which forms the foundation and is richly sprinkled with details throughout the book.

Fast paced and superbly written I am mighty impressed with Clare Jay's debut novel. I am equally spellbound by the plight and talents of the many synaesthetes and the life they lead. This book splashed on me a muted but enticing red - with small but unmissed grey dots.

‘These are the stars we catch before I go to sleep,’ Mia had announced, her eyes ablaze with pride as she pointed at the sequins. ‘When the pink ones sparkle, they fizz in my mouth like sherbet.’
- Clare Jay (Breathing in color)