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angelo_vossen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"Picture Us In The Light" by Kelly Loy Gilbert delves into layers of identity, family dynamics, and the human experience. Set in Silicon Valley, the novel provides a rich tapestry against which the protagonist, Danny Cheng, grapples with the complexities of his past and the secrets that lie buried within his family's history.
At the heart of the story is Danny's journey of self-discovery as he navigates the challenges of adolescence while confronting the weight of his family's secrets. As a first-generation Chinese-American, Danny struggles to reconcile his cultural heritage with the expectations placed upon him by both his family and society. Gilbert skillfully explores the nuances of identity formation, highlighting the internal conflicts and external pressures that shape Danny's sense of self.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of the bonds that tie families together, even in the face of adversity. Danny's relationship with his parents, particularly his mother, is portrayed with depth and complexity, revealing the sacrifices made and the burdens carried in the pursuit of a better life. Through Danny's interactions with his family members, Gilbert illuminates the universal themes of love, loyalty, and the search for belonging.
In addition to its exploration of familial relationships, "Picture Us In The Light" also grapples with broader social issues, including immigration, mental health and the pursuit of the American Dream. Gilbert deftly weaves these themes into the narrative, presenting readers with a thought-provoking examination of the complexities of the human experience.
One passage felt like a punch in the gut - Danny talking to an inner voice (Mr. X) representing racist, judging, homophobic people:
I keep trying to string the words together, what I'll say to him. But Mr. X won't leave me alone.
„It's one thing to feel a funny way. It's another to put it out there in the open for everyone to have to see. You're asking him to do a disgusting thing with you. If he isn't funny about you the way you want him to be, he won't be too hot about being around you after this, you sniffing around him with those hungry eyes of yours.“
I don't care what hypothetical old white men think, I tell him. He tips back his head and laughs.
„Hypothetical? You think you conjured me from nothing? I'm your neighbor. I'm your dentist. I'm your cop. I'm your congressman. I'm your
boss. I'm your teacher. Don't think for a minute—”
The novel's characters are richly drawn and multidimensional, each carrying their own hopes, fears, and motivations. From Danny's crush (I btw love that no sexualities are ever addressed in this book), Harry, to his friend, Regina, every character contributes to the richness of the story, adding layers of depth and complexity to the narrative.
Throughout "Picture Us In The Light," Gilbert's prose is both lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into Danny's world with its vivid imagery and evocative language. The pacing is skillfully maintained, keeping readers engaged from start to finish as they accompany Danny on his journey of self-discovery.
The only critique I have got: At times this novel felt kind of overwhelming. What started as a story about a boy not being sure about his own future and dealing with average teenage problems, quickly turned into a mystery about family secrets. Altogether that was what caused me to be intrigued by this book as much as I was in the end - everything simply developed quite quickly, which startled me a bit.
In conclusion, "Picture Us In The Light" is a compelling and emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of identity, family, and the human experience with nuance and sensitivity. Gilbert's storytelling prowess shines through in every page, making this a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and immersive literary experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment, Car accident, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Death, Deportation, Grief, Racism, Suicide, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Classism, Homophobia, Child death, Gun violence, Bullying, and Police brutality
meinbao's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bro i don't even know where to begin with this book.
it's just so sO... SO fjlkewjlKJGLEJLKJ --literally i don't think i can describe it in any other way besides a keyboard smash. it's just like that.
danny is flawed, complicated, young, talented, curious, and above all very lovable. he deserves the whole world and universe. all the characters make you simultaneously love and hate them and once you learn their motives, their lives, their lore... you just can't UNLEARN it... you understand that these people are complex and dynamic and i think this is actually something that people forget all the time.
the book does a fantastic job of describing teenage-hood and all its dramatics. the way it also addresses topics like asam family dynamics and immigrant sacrifices and mental health issues. it's actually like a fucking sucker punch to ur brain and heart and whole body T_T but like in a good way, a heartbreakingly good way
i think this book may have been one of my favorites from the 6 i've read this year. i know i keep saying this but like it's just 🧑🍳🤌💋 probs the only thing i had some ehhh thoughts about was the flow of some sentences (which probs is bc we're reading from a teen's POV)
i wrote in my reading journal that i needed seven years to emotionally recover and this is still true ;_; but 10/10 would read again and already considering purchasing my own copy. def need some time to digest but just the content and the relatability... high score with just minor docking of points for sentence flow and some slower parts!!!
tl;dr my molecules feel different bc of this book (pos)
WLAJGLJGLWKJLLWKJLGJWEL ???!?!??!/?!/ II'M ??? despite not being a californian asam many things from this book just FIT with the environment i grew up with... like the bougie ass neighborhood and the understanding that it's a bubble and the ??? damn unethical stress little human teenagers get put under goD... i remember taking SATs and classes and just the wild decline in mental health it caused me and my peers... when sandra passed away i truly think that i felt the same discomfort danny felt which is i think incredible on the author's part!!! obviously you're reading from danny's POV but i think a huge part of learning to love him as a character is understanding his guilt and his regrets. AKGJLKWEJWE THE WHOLE THING WITH THE PARENTS BEING UNDOCUMENTED IN THE STATES I JUST ??? LITERALLY TEARS AT THE END WITH THE NOTE BRO I WAS BAWLING...... . AND? THE IG POSTING AT THE END AND THE SISTER BEING LIKE IDGI NO GIRL U JUST ... U DON'T KNOW YET IIAGJLK?? THE WHOLE THING WITH HIS SISTER AND THE MESS OF ASIAN ADOPTION AGENCIES AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IIEGIGEJLKEJ MY BRAIN JUST... THE CHEMISTRIES ARE CHANGED brooooo and ofc the tension with harry and danny ???? GAYS IN LOVE !!! YEAH!!! man i am so happy for them... THANK U SHINING EYES HARRY FOR LOVING DANNY... idk bro but lovE PREVAILS YEAH !
it's just so sO... SO fjlkewjlKJGLEJLKJ --literally i don't think i can describe it in any other way besides a keyboard smash. it's just like that.
danny is flawed, complicated, young, talented, curious, and above all very lovable. he deserves the whole world and universe. all the characters make you simultaneously love and hate them and once you learn their motives, their lives, their lore... you just can't UNLEARN it... you understand that these people are complex and dynamic and i think this is actually something that people forget all the time.
the book does a fantastic job of describing teenage-hood and all its dramatics. the way it also addresses topics like asam family dynamics and immigrant sacrifices and mental health issues. it's actually like a fucking sucker punch to ur brain and heart and whole body T_T but like in a good way, a heartbreakingly good way
i think this book may have been one of my favorites from the 6 i've read this year. i know i keep saying this but like it's just 🧑🍳🤌💋 probs the only thing i had some ehhh thoughts about was the flow of some sentences (which probs is bc we're reading from a teen's POV)
i wrote in my reading journal that i needed seven years to emotionally recover and this is still true ;_; but 10/10 would read again and already considering purchasing my own copy. def need some time to digest but just the content and the relatability... high score with just minor docking of points for sentence flow and some slower parts!!!
tl;dr my molecules feel different bc of this book (pos)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Trafficking, and Abandonment
eashani's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Trafficking
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Car accident
heartstoppers's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars
read on audiobook
tw // mentions of suicide and child abduction/trafficking
"There are so many ways this could have gone, so many ways this could still go."
ahhhhhhhh this was so good and my first 5 star book of 2021!! Someone compared it to Aristotle and Dante which is very accurate thematically, but the way the book works feels different from aridante.
danny and harry were my favorite part of the book, and the gay representation was really subtle and honest. the family dynamics were also interesting, but not my favorites (i'm not super invested in family mystery plots). anything with the friend group in this book was comforting to me, they were very unique for a ya friendship. they weren't forced to be close friends because that's what the genre includes, but it felt natural and there were still rifts between people like regina and danny. also going into senior year, i related to a lot of the school stuff and feeling nostalgic toward childhood friends and the people you've had classes with for 4+ years.
the inclusion of suicide wasn't something i was prepared for, but it was done well. they never evilized sandra, but they also never romanticized her actions and made it seem like a sacrifice. the way it affects all of them, especially danny, felt really authentic, and her plot coming in and out was a highlight of the book for me. it also helped flesh harry out more as a character.
the main drawback to the book is the prose, sometimes it felt excessive, especially with the narrator on the audiobook, but it's still enjoyable!!
read on audiobook
tw // mentions of suicide and child abduction/trafficking
"There are so many ways this could have gone, so many ways this could still go."
ahhhhhhhh this was so good and my first 5 star book of 2021!! Someone compared it to Aristotle and Dante which is very accurate thematically, but the way the book works feels different from aridante.
danny and harry were my favorite part of the book, and the gay representation was really subtle and honest. the family dynamics were also interesting, but not my favorites (i'm not super invested in family mystery plots). anything with the friend group in this book was comforting to me, they were very unique for a ya friendship. they weren't forced to be close friends because that's what the genre includes, but it felt natural and there were still rifts between people like regina and danny. also going into senior year, i related to a lot of the school stuff and feeling nostalgic toward childhood friends and the people you've had classes with for 4+ years.
the inclusion of suicide wasn't something i was prepared for, but it was done well. they never evilized sandra, but they also never romanticized her actions and made it seem like a sacrifice. the way it affects all of them, especially danny, felt really authentic, and her plot coming in and out was a highlight of the book for me. it also helped flesh harry out more as a character.
the main drawback to the book is the prose, sometimes it felt excessive, especially with the narrator on the audiobook, but it's still enjoyable!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Kidnapping, and Trafficking
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