This book is so emotionally raw that it will hit you, quite frankly, like an overwhelming wave of anguish. In 2004, a massive tsunami hit across the Indian Ocean, killing nearly a quarter of a million people in 14 countries; it was an unprecedented natural disaster. These numbers are hard to fathom; this level of pain even harder to process. [b:Wave|15771862|Wave|Sonali Deraniyagala|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362126716l/15771862._SY75_.jpg|21480584] is the written account of Dr. Sonali Deraniyagala, and how the tsunami took her children, husband, and parents. She was the only survivor of her family, and in this autobiography, she recounts the tragedy and the subsequent stages of grief she processes in the years to come.

Central to processing this tragedy, lies so much of Sonali’s sorrow, rage, and survivor’s guilt. Typically when someone looses a child they can lean on a spouse, if they loose a spouse they can lean on their parents, and for Sonali these obvious avenues of support are gone. Her friends and remaining family try to help her, but communicating such an unimaginable tragedy keeps her isolated in many ways. Sonali finds that the gravity of the loss also took away elements of her identity along with so many pivotal relationships. This book is a truly a poignant, emotional journey.

Overall, Wave is not an easy read given the gravity of the tragedy. Sonali is brutally honest and how could she not be; what else does she have left to lose? She is smart and reflective, and these elements really make reading this autobiography more than worthwhile.