Incandescence by Mehreen Ahmed

Book Review 

Title: Incandescence by Mehreen Ahmed  

Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama 

Rating: 4 Stars  

Mehreen Ahmed’s Incandescence is a literary exploration of memory, identity, and the fragility of perception, wrapped in a stream-of-consciousness narrative that reads like a dreamscape. Set in Bangladesh, a country torn between tradition and modernity, this novel is less about plot and more about the inner world of its protagonist, a young woman named Mila among others. 

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Ahmed’s prose is lyrical, almost poetic, weaving together fragmented memories and disjointed thoughts with a cadence that mirrors the mental disarray of someone grappling with loss, confusion, and dislocation. The novel’s strength lies in its atmosphere—ethereal, haunting, and at times disorienting. Through shifting timelines and kaleidoscopic imagery, the reader is invited to experience Mila’s world not as a fixed reality, but as a stream of impressions, dreams, and recollections. 

One of the most compelling aspects of Incandescence is its engagement with cultural identity and existential solitude. Mila’s experiences are marked by both personal trauma and the weight of a collective, often ambiguous cultural heritage. This creates a universal resonance that speaks to anyone who has felt estranged from their environment or from themselves. 

However, the novel’s stylistic choices may not appeal to all readers. The lack of conventional structure and the abstract narrative require patience and a willingness to let go of linear expectations. For readers open to a more experimental form, Incandescence offers a rewarding dive into the emotional and psychological intricacies of its protagonist’s mind. 

Ultimately, Incandescence is a quiet, introspective novel that burns with the soft glow of reflection. Mehreen Ahmed challenges traditional storytelling, offering a piece of literature that is as much about language and mood as it is about character and theme. It’s a novel best read slowly, letting each image settle and each sentence echo. 

Buy it here: 

Paperback/Hardcover: amazon.co.uk                      amazon.com