Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia follows multiple interconnected characters in Montreal whose lives intersect at a hospital. The central storyline focuses on Joelle, a hospital secretary whose marriage to Marc begins to unravel when he becomes involved with Ketia, a nurse. A parallel narrative tracks Diane, Joelle's best friend, and her relationship with Nazim, a Muslim man who has kept their relationship hidden from his family. Their situation becomes complicated when Nazim learns his sister plans to visit from overseas. The novel examines relationships, secrets, and cultural tensions in contemporary Montreal. The hospital setting serves as both backdrop and metaphor, with medical themes of irregularity and disruption mirroring the characters' personal lives. The story explores how relationships shift between stability and instability, drawing parallels between emotional and physical rhythms. Through its multiple perspectives, the book considers questions of loyalty, cultural identity, and the impact of concealed truths.

Not enough reader reviews exist online to create a meaningful summary of how most people view this book. The novel has very limited visibility on review platforms: Goodreads: Only 6 ratings total, with an average of 3.67/5 stars Amazon.ca: No customer reviews Amazon.com: No customer reviews The few available reviews mention strong character development and realistic portrayal of Montreal life, but the small sample size makes it impossible to identify clear patterns in reader feedback. More reviews would be needed to summarize general reader reception or identify common praise/criticism.

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✤ Montreal, where the novel is set, is one of North America's most bilingual cities, with approximately 45% of its population speaking both English and French fluently. ✤ Arrhythmia, a medical condition referenced in the book's title, affects millions globally and occurs when the heart beats in an irregular pattern - much like the novel's exploration of life's unpredictable rhythms. ✤ Author Alice Zorn also wrote "Five Roses" (2016), another novel set in Montreal that similarly explores the city's diverse neighborhoods and communities. ✤ The novel addresses the growing reality of interfaith relationships in Canada, where mixed-faith marriages increased by 43% between 2001 and 2011. ✤ Hospital workplace dynamics, central to the story's setting, reflect a real-world environment where approximately 70% of healthcare workers are women, similar to the novel's protagonist Joelle.