contemporary fantasy, magical realism
This is the second book I've read by Samantha Sotto Yambao, and her writing is absolutely gorgeous. I loved the first book of hers I read, Water Moon, so I was really looking forward to this one.
The Elsewhere Express is a unique train that finds people who are adrift. You can't find the Elsewhere Express, it finds you after you've "drifted away from your own life." Once aboard you can find your purpose, peace and belonging. All you have to do is agree to cast away your excess baggage - all the guilt, shame and the memories of your earthly life.
Raya, was born to save her sick brother. When he died, she gave up all her dreams to live the life he was supposed to live. Q is an artist who has lost his own place in the world. When they meet aboard the train, they rely on each other to find their place among the fascinating world of the train and to solve the mystery of the stowaway that seems to have boarded the train with them, endangering the Elsewhere Express and everyone on board.
Yambao has created a truly fascinating universe. I was captivated by the train and the people who lived there. In some ways, the people were secondary to the train itself, which was the most fascinating character. I was eager to find out what would happen to Raya and Q. There is some mystery and tension with the stowaway and another aspect of the story that I can't share without giving too much away. There is also some time loop shenanigans that Yambao never really explains well which is unfortunate, because it leaves the ending a little muddled after what was really a fascinating and beautiful story.
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