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jodiealicia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, and Blood
linette_astr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Eating disorder
Minor: Self harm, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, and Animal death
jonacoreen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
modrinkscoffee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
amotoquinha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Gun violence
rireads_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Eating disorder, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Racial slurs
shelfofunread's review against another edition
3.5
Arenz – and translator Rachel Ward – has done a wonderful job of conveying his characters: from teenager Sally’s righteous fury at the perceived injustices of her world to the emotive outbursts that periodically disrupt forty-something farmer Liss’s aura of quiet calm and worldly acceptance. Neither woman is exactly likeable but I wholly believed in them as people, warts and all.
As the novel progresses, it also becomes apparent that deep-rooted trauma lies at the centre of each women. I won’t give spoilers but, although never graphic or gory, readers should be aware that the novel deals with anorexia and disordered eating, physical and emotional abuse, gaslighting, forced confinement, self-harm, and domestic violence. Arenz’s handling of these topics – and his focus upon the way in which both human and natural connections can, gradually, offer healing – is both considered and sensitive, and the result is a powerfully moving novel of connection and transformation.
Tasting Sunlight is a slow and meditative read and, as such, won’t be for everyone. Although there most certainly is a ‘plot’, it is Sally and Liss – and the connections that are gradually built and drawn between them – that lie at the heart of this novel. It is a novel about the small interactions and almost imperceptible alterations in outlook that impact upon our everyday lives, and the small moments in each day that shift something within us. Arenz writes beautifully about the natural world and the solace to be found within interactions with it and, as the novel progresses, labouring on the land becomes a way for both Sally and Liss to come to terms with their pasts and confront their futures.
Overall, Tasting Sunlight was that rare and precious thing: a novel that surprised me. For the first 50 pages, I genuinely think I would enjoy it. Then, to my surprise, I had finished it. And, even more surprising, I couldn’t stop thinking about it! Wonderfully atmospheric, empathetic, and thoughtful, Tasting Sunlight is a powerful and emotional read that resonates long after you’ve turned the final page.
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the Blog Tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Moderate: Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
jeannelit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
he_lena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal death and Self harm
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Sexual content
merle98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Self harm