A slow-burning bittersweet story of intergenerational trauma across the minefield of diaspora. Nayak weaves together the antagonistic psychic life of the main character, Kavya, with the politics and pleasures of academia, with the vexing terrain of mothering, and with the possibility of, might we say, self-love.

Moon Charania, author of Archive of Tongues: An Intimate History of Brownness

Tilt is a searing and revelatory investigation into how seemingly unrelated personal tragedies link to colonialism, mental health, and generational trauma across oceans and borders.

Anjali Enjeti, author of The Parted Earth and Southbound

Nayak digs into the raw truths of our world to craft a profound and thought-provoking novel that left a lasting impact on me as a reader. The narrative is confident and crystal clear, skillfully exploring the complexities of intergenerational trauma with a no-holds-barred viewpoint that showcases emotional and psychological impact above all else. Nayak’s poignant storytelling and nuanced character development are evident in every detail and atmospheric touch in the mood and settings, evoking empathy and introspection as we follow Kavya’s struggles and triumphs. Overall, Tilt offers a compelling narrative that resonates long after the final page, and I’d recommend it to fans of powerful dramatic novels everywhere.

5 star review, K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite

Determined to find out more about her family history and its effect on her life, Kavya’s journey is inspirational and transformative.

Kristi Elizabeth, Chicago Review of Books

Tilt is a necessary novel for anyone interested in transgenerational trauma. Through Nayak's engaging main character, Kavya, Tilt explores harmful legacies of colonialism, including racism, colorism, caste, and abandonment, to reckon with root causes of domestic violence and family dysfunction. Divided into four chapters organized by the seasons, Tilt moves between flashbacks and present day actions that show how therapy, history, and chosen family can heal. In the end, Tilt avoids the pitfall of ultimate redemption in favor of an uncertain future guided by ancestral hope and the power of breaking silences, no matter how messy the results may be. And there are mermaids!

Jen Soriano, award-winning author of Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing

Nayak’s protagonist, Professor Joshi, aims to counter sexism, colorism, casteism, and racism through her research and teaching. Her problem is that she also participates in these oppressions. Nayak wagers that fiction is best way to convey this ubiquitous pedagogical and existential paradox. The novel suggests that teachers teach to challenge their own limits. It shows rather than tells and thereby invites us to learn along with it. Nayak displays bold insight, weaves complex themes, creates compassion for all characters, and demonstrates a reverence for how history shapes us all. This book is a profound achievement.

Naeem Inayatullah, Ithaca College