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shelfofunread's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
3.5 stars. For the first 50-pages or so of Ewald Arenz’s debut novel, Tasting Sunlight, I honestly wasn’t sure what to make of the book. I didn’t particularly like either of the central characters and I hadn’t yet found anything that could be called a ‘plot’. Yet despite this – or perhaps because of it – I could not stop reading the book! Something about the unusual friendship that develops between two clearly damaged women utterly captivated me and, before I knew it, I was at the end of a strangely uplifting story of love, acceptance, healing, transformation, and the power of nature.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
thesecretsapphic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ich liebe es, wenn man nach dem Lesen die Welt mit anderen Augen sieht, auch wenn es nie sehr lange anhält. "Alte Sorten" ist eindrucksvoll geschrieben, wenn auch stellenweise die Ausdrucksweise der jugendlichen Figur unrealistisch oder unbeholfen wirkt.
Die Aufteilung der Kapitel in Tage hat perfekt zu dem Buch gepasst und für mehr Realitätsnähe gesorgt.
Trotzdem ein Stern Abzug wegen zweier... fragwürdigen Szenen:
Als Sally badet und einen jähzornigen Anfall bekommt, weil Liss sie sieht und das Blackfacing (?).
Was ich etwas seltsam finde ist die Tatsache, dass das Buch von einem Mann geschrieben wurde, weswegen stellenweise der Tiefgang in der weiblichen Erfahrung fehlt.
Trotzdem ein Stern Abzug wegen zweier... fragwürdigen Szenen:
Was ich etwas seltsam finde ist die Tatsache, dass das Buch von einem Mann geschrieben wurde, weswegen stellenweise der Tiefgang in der weiblichen Erfahrung fehlt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Self harm, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
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