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A review by introvertsbookclub
Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Heavy, intense and incredibly dark, this novel explores the choices that the most vulnerable people are forced to make to survive. The characters and their actions range across the entire spectrum of morality, some of them do bad things for good reasons, some do awful things for which there are no excuse, but they all end up betraying the people they are trying to protect.
The village the novel takes place within is full of overlapping relationships and loyalties. The plot is driven by the imbalance of power between the rich and poor, the investors in the area and the people who actually live there. Within the community of inhabitants, desperation drives greed and violence, and colourism, homophobia and sexism are easy ways to assert a little bit of dominance over someone else. But Dennis-Benn makes clear throughout that the bleakness that has descended upon the village is a result of exploitation and poverty.
A rich tapestry of characters live within the village. The novel follows a family of women and explores the relationships between mothers and daughters, sisters, neighbours, lovers, sex workers and bosses. A lot of abuse is perpetrated, but there are also attempts to protect one another and carve out a future. It is a multi-faceted story, full of detail and emotion and unique perspectives. At time it is difficult to read, but it is worth it in the end.
The village the novel takes place within is full of overlapping relationships and loyalties. The plot is driven by the imbalance of power between the rich and poor, the investors in the area and the people who actually live there. Within the community of inhabitants, desperation drives greed and violence, and colourism, homophobia and sexism are easy ways to assert a little bit of dominance over someone else. But Dennis-Benn makes clear throughout that the bleakness that has descended upon the village is a result of exploitation and poverty.
A rich tapestry of characters live within the village. The novel follows a family of women and explores the relationships between mothers and daughters, sisters, neighbours, lovers, sex workers and bosses. A lot of abuse is perpetrated, but there are also attempts to protect one another and carve out a future. It is a multi-faceted story, full of detail and emotion and unique perspectives. At time it is difficult to read, but it is worth it in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault