‘How Do We Comprehend Loss at Scale?’: Tara Menon Talks Debut Novel ‘Under Water’ at Harvard English Event

On April 15, assistant professor of English Tara K. Menon discussed her debut novel, “Under Water,” with fellow English professor Teju Cole at an event organized by the Harvard Department of English.

Released on March 17, “Under Water” follows Marissa, a travel writer working in New York City, as she grapples with loss, love, and destruction — both personal and climatic. The novel alternates between two timelines: Marissa’s idyllic childhood exploring the pristine beaches of Phuket, Thailand with her friend Arielle, before the devastating 2004 tsunami strikes the country, and her life in New York eight years later. As another natural disaster — Hurricane Sandy — looms, Marissa reflects on her past.

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