This is Burnt Sugar by, Avni Doshi
I always like to use Christmas as a chance to get all the shortlisted books from the Booker Prize, and this year I was really excited about the range of books and authors on their. (so watch out for more on my feed).
Reading the synopsis of this book I thought I may find it pretty upsetting, as it tells the story of a daughter watching her Mum slowly decline into what seems to be early-onset dementia.
However, Antara, the daughter says in the first line, 'I would be lying if I said my mother's misery has never given me pleasure' (p.1)
The novel slips from present day, back in time to Antara's childhood where the reader is allowed to explore the sources of resentment between this Mother and daughter duo.
Far, from being upsetting as a reader you are left to decide whether this relationship is sad, or if in their sadistic nature there is humour to be found in the darkness of their relationship...
Antara conceals a lot throughout the story, and it's only towards perhaps the middle you understand she's been lying to you too!
I also found it interesting that when this book was published in India (where it is set) it was under the title 'Girl in White Cotton'. Wonder why they changed it ??
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