The One Who Wrote Destiny by Nikesh Shukla

Do you believe in destiny? With Nikesh Shukla's new novel, readers are invited into the lives of a family across multiple generations, their interwoven tales, and their quandary with notions of their future.

Mukesh moves from Kenya to Keighley, being met with poverty and racism instead of the fame and fortune he sought; he did, however, find the love of his life. Neha is dying – cancer, a genetic gift from her mother, the love of Mukesh's life. She tries to construct destiny as a crackable program. Rakesh is a comedian, and he is grieving; he lost his mother and twin sister to the same twist of fate. His career isn't taking off quite as he'd like. And Ba, their grandmother, is central – what happened to her? Could she be the key in destiny's algorithm?

The One Who Wrote Destiny is engulfing, and funny. Neha and Rakesh's lives are set in the current day, a counterpoint to Mukesh and Ba decades ago; it highlights the cultural shifts across years and continents with clarity, and shows how family and attitudes evolve over time. A particularly striking scenario shows Rakesh being heckled with racist remarks at a show; his handling and his father's are very different, and the resulting conversation is a gut punch, but a vital read.

Frequently, questions characters raise in their own personal trauma speak to something bigger – how would you handle this situation? Would you want to know your fate? What would you do if you knew your ending? But more so, it shows the importance of family, place and language. Readers are welcomed wholeheartedly into these lives, and you root for them, their loves, their successes, their wonders.

The One Who Wrote Destiny is a stunning novel. It speaks to vital issues of the day, but it's also a beautiful tale of the threads of family. Pull at one and you'll find a whole, enchanting tapestry to behold. [Heather McDaid]

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Atlantic Books, 5 Apr, £14.99