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abbie_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my free digital ARC in exchange for a review!
I loved this unique little book from The Netherlands, taking a look at a tragic event from the perspectives of some highly unusual narrators. We Are Light examines the run-up and aftermath of the death of Elisabeth, the oldest resident of the Sound & Love commune, who has died emaciated in her living room watched by her sister and two housemates.
I loved this unique little book from The Netherlands, taking a look at a tragic event from the perspectives of some highly unusual narrators. We Are Light examines the run-up and aftermath of the death of Elisabeth, the oldest resident of the Sound & Love commune, who has died emaciated in her living room watched by her sister and two housemates.
The first chapter sets the scene, narrated by the Night on the night of Elisabeth’s death. I initially thought this was just a quirky prologue, but it soon became clear that Gerda Blees had a unique narrator in mind for every chapter. We hear from a slice of bread, the neighbours as a collective group, a pen, the internet, the facts, Elisabeth’s body, and so many more. I worried that I’d quickly tire of this device, I realise it could easily come off as gimmicky, but honestly I thought Blees pulled it off amazingly well! There were perhaps a couple where it felt more like we were just inside the heads of the suspects, instead of a cigarette or the scent of oranges, but for the vast majority of the book, it’s done impeccably.
It was wild how much of an insight we managed to get into the lives of both Elisabeth and those around her from these random perspectives. Like the chapter narrated from the POV of Elisabeth’s corpse was extremely moving, it put you right in the grip of her death AS she was dying, and told you about the devastating lack of closeness she’d shared with anyone while alive. Then we had a chapter narrated by senile dementia which was similarly heartbreaking and effective - the choppy style worked perfectly, and showcased Michele Hutchinson’s immense translation talent. I also loved the chapters with internet and ‘the facts’ - they felt very ominous and were a reminder of how easy it is to fall prey to scams, cults, fads, and how little responsibility people on the internet end up bearing for the consequences of their actions.
Can’t recommend this one enough, a sharp and unusual examination of blame, responsibility and self-deception, though please tread carefully if you’re sensitive to discussion of disordered eating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Eating disorder, and Death
pia_uhlenberg's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Dementia
Moderate: Death
jojo_'s review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Dementia, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Fatphobia, Ableism, Bullying, and Gore
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Lesbophobia, and Xenophobia
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