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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
nightshaderoots's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The book had so much happening in the last 10% of it. There are lots of relatable moments and I enjoyed how the theme of space keeps coming up. I will admit I didn't like the main character for a good majority of the book but towards the end I couldn't help but to feel for him. Lots are left for interpretation but that's how the book should end. To quote Sandra, "Other people don't exist just to be your happy ending." And that's true for the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Deportation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Racism, Classism, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
Minor: Sexism, Bullying, and Homophobia
loftyace's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicide
megelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
This is a book that sort of crept up on me. I didn't fully realise until towards the end, or possibly even after I finished reading, just how much it was making me feel. It went to so many places that I was not expecting, covering several difficult and important things but never feeling as if it was doing too much. It's largely a coming-of-age story, but one that's more layered and haunting and ultimately devastating than most. I loved the depictions of friendships and high-school life, of difficult family relationships, of queerness and first love, of sacrifice in many forms. I also thought the mystery element of the story was really strong. The ambiguity of the ending absolutely killed me, but at least I can choose to believe that certain things did or did not happen.
The one criticism I will make is that both the writing and many of the characters are pretty pretentious, and that made our main character Danny in particular super frustrating a lot of the time, and it wasn't quite clear whether these things were intentional. Mostly I could look past this, particularly as it's YA and set largely in a prestigious area, though it did still bug me quite a bit. I still thoroughly, thoroughly loved this book overall though!
The one criticism I will make is that both the writing and many of the characters are pretty pretentious, and that made our main character Danny in particular super frustrating a lot of the time, and it wasn't quite clear whether these things were intentional. Mostly I could look past this, particularly as it's YA and set largely in a prestigious area, though it did still bug me quite a bit. I still thoroughly, thoroughly loved this book overall though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Misogyny
snowydaze's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Kidnapping
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Suicide
Minor: Racism
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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