Nutmeg

Gabriel Angelico was born during a storm with his heart and all his other organs on the wrong side of his body. He lives in a mountain town in Venezuela and his life's dream is to see the sea. One day, he climbs the tallest mountain in the area to catch a glimpse of the sea, but all he sees are more mountains. When a sensitive young Norwegian woman, Klara Jorgenson, appears in the town, Gabriel's life is changed forever. Klara must choose between her soulmate, Gabriel, and William Penn, the reliable, loving Norwegian man she has been living with on an island off the coast of Venezuela. When Klara chooses security and moves back to Norway with William to marry and start a family, Gabriel's organs slowly and painfully migrate to the right side of his body before he eventually dies. Nutmeg is used as a metaphor for love. In Venezuela, Klara pines for the seasons, and and a Scandinavian Christmas. When she learns to bake Christmas biscuits, she is taught that nutmeg has a lovely scent, but a bitter aftertaste. If you use too much of it, it intoxicates or poisons you. Like love, it casts a spell or makes you sick.
This is a simple tale, told with great empathy and clarity of language. Rich with loving imagery and insightful description, the book is a tender exploration of human tragedies.