Cartwheel A Novel

Jennifer duBois's novel "Cartwheel" plunges into the aftermath of a tragedy when Lily receives devastating news: her younger sister, Cassie, has died in a supposed accident while studying abroad at a prestigious boarding school in South Africa. Cassie, always the more free-spirited and artistic of the two, lived a life that often seemed more daring and mysterious than Lily's own structured existence. Unwilling to accept the official explanation, Lily travels to the foreign school, driven by a desperate need to understand the circumstances of Cassie's demise. Her journey becomes a profound excavation into her sister's hidden life, forcing Lily to confront the fragmented truths about Cassie’s experiences and the secrets concealed within the school's seemingly idyllic walls. The novel is a deeply layered exploration of sibling bonds, unraveling the complexities of love, rivalry, and the often-unseen aspects of family members’ lives. It probes themes of identity, the performance of self, and the disorienting experience of grief. "Cartwheel" captivates through its suspenseful inquiry into a young woman's death, balanced with a sensitive portrayal of Lily’s emotional search for closure. The atmospheric setting of the South African school and the psychological depth of Lily’s investigation make it a compelling narrative about how well we truly know those closest to us, and the devastating consequences of buried secrets.

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