#Review: Fishbowl by Varsha Seshan

Have you ever read a book that leaves you teary-eyed but also brimming with hope? This story about Mahee Ranjan—a young girl grappling with the sudden loss of her parents—hits all the right notes in portraying grief and resilience. What makes this book stand out? It’s written in verse! Yes, a novel that reads like poetry, making the heavy topic of loss surprisingly easier to absorb and beautifully immersive.
Mahee’s journey begins with heartbreak. Losing her parents in a car accident is tragic enough, but the added guilt—her haunting “what if” scenario—shackles her in grief. Living with her uncle and aunt in Pune and starting at Spectrum School doesn’t help either. Her emotions, as she describes through the “fishbowl analogy,” feel like a crushing weight, always threatening to crack her from within. Enter the classroom drama.

Ridhima Rana, the self-appointed princess of empathy (read: show-off), sees Mahee as her “project.” On the other hand, Aditi, with her genuine warmth, becomes a quiet comfort in Mahee’s life. Ridhima’s antics might make you roll your eyes, but they also spotlight how NOT to treat someone dealing with trauma. Aditi, however, gives us all a lesson in real kindness.

Now, the story does take its time. You’ll notice repetitive scenes that echo Mahee’s emotional struggle. While it’s true to life—grief isn’t something you snap out of—it can feel a tad slow in parts. Thankfully, when you think it’s dragging, the twists kick in! The latter half of the book re-engages you, leaving you flipping pages to see if Mahee will find her way out of the darkness.
One thing the author gets right is how therapy is non-negotiable here. Mahee’s trauma and even her guardians’ struggles are sensitively handled, showing how professional help can make a world of difference. And the fishbowl analogy? Pure genius. It’s a relatable way to describe overwhelming yet contained emotions, ready to spill over any second.

This book isn’t just a story—it’s a guide. It takes grief, breaks it down, and shows how healing is possible, even if it’s messy and slow. The ending leaves you with hope, not just for Mahee but for anyone who’s ever felt like the world turned upside down.

It’s not the first time Duckbill has impressed me with their books! Yet again, I’d recommend this book to adults more than young adults, for self-expression is a skill not everyone knows!

Find this book here.