Abscond by Abraham Verghese - Book Review

Abscond is one of those short stories that quietly unfolds rather than racing toward a dramatic ending. Abraham Verghese’s writing is elegant and observant, focusing less on plot and more on human emotions, inner conflict, and the weight of difficult decisions. While the story is beautifully written, it may not resonate with readers looking for a fast-paced or emotionally explosive narrative.

Abscond follows Ravi Ramanathan, a bright thirteen-year-old Indian-American boy whose world revolves around tennis. While Ravi dreams of becoming a professional tennis player, his parents have different visions for his future. His father, Dr. Ramanathan, is a compassionate surgeon who quietly supports Ravi’s passion, whereas his mother, Rekha, hopes her son will one day become a doctor and continue the family legacy.

Despite these differences, Ravi shares a loving relationship with both of his parents. His father is understanding, patient, and often acts as the bridge between Ravi and his strict mother. Their family life, though ordinary, feels warm and secure until tragedy strikes unexpectedly.

Dr. Ramanathan suddenly dies of a heart attack after performing surgery, leaving Ravi and Rekha devastated. Overnight, Ravi loses not only his father but also the one person who always understood him. As relatives gather for the funeral, Ravi struggles to process his grief while being expected to perform traditional Hindu funeral rituals. He cannot understand why everyone is focused on customs when all he wants is his father back.

Rekha, too, is consumed by grief. She withdraws emotionally and becomes distant from Ravi. Their once-close relationship begins to change as both of them mourn in different ways. Ravi starts feeling lonely, believing no one truly understands what he is going through.

During this difficult phase, Ravi’s best friend, Billy, becomes his biggest source of comfort. Billy doesn’t offer grand speeches or try to fix Ravi’s pain. Instead, he simply stays with him, listens without judgment, and reminds Ravi that he isn’t alone. Their friendship becomes one of the emotional highlights of the story, showing how sometimes silent companionship is more valuable than words.

Another memorable character is Mr. McGilicutty, an elderly neighbour who gently helps Ravi understand the purpose behind grief and rituals. Through his conversations, Ravi slowly begins to realize that traditions are not merely customs but a way of honouring loved ones and learning to live with loss.

By the end of the story, Ravi doesn’t magically overcome his grief. Instead, he begins taking small steps toward acceptance. His relationship with his mother slowly starts to heal as they learn to carry the same loss together rather than separately. The ending is quiet, reflective, and focuses more on emotional growth than dramatic resolution.

The relationship between Ravi and Billy was my favourite part of the story. Billy’s quiet support felt genuine and reminded me that true friendship often speaks through actions rather than words.

However, while I appreciated the writing and emotional depth, I personally found the story a little slow. I was expecting a stronger emotional impact, but the narrative remained subtle throughout. The ending felt realistic rather than satisfying, which may appeal to readers who enjoy literary fiction but left me wanting something more.

Rating: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️