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A review by wunkymatts
Enlightenment by Sarah Perry
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
I have waited months for this book and it did not disappoint. It is a glorious, touching tale of people coming together and falling apart and making plans and seeing things disintegrate and watching the stars and feeling the world beneath their feet.
Let's start with the writing. It's flawless. Perry's turn of phrase is incomparably beautiful. She can always find the perfect description. So many times I was stopped in my tracks by the aching truth of what she was saying. I could drowning her prose.
The characterisation was also excellent. People real and complex enough to surprise and disappoint you, but also flawed enough to love.
The sense of place takes you right to Essex, a county I have tenuous links to but has always fascinated. I have always been drawn to people who can write the places they love so well. It creates an experience like nothing else.
And the final thing I want to mention is religion. It is not an easy topic, and Perry never once pretends that it is. I think an easier way to I clude it in this story would be to show it as a darkness, a shadow in people's lives, but to be brave and to show it can also bring light while causing pain and to acknowledge that, actually, sometimes church is home whatever you might want to believe differently, that is truly wonderous.
Let's start with the writing. It's flawless. Perry's turn of phrase is incomparably beautiful. She can always find the perfect description. So many times I was stopped in my tracks by the aching truth of what she was saying. I could drowning her prose.
The characterisation was also excellent. People real and complex enough to surprise and disappoint you, but also flawed enough to love.
The sense of place takes you right to Essex, a county I have tenuous links to but has always fascinated. I have always been drawn to people who can write the places they love so well. It creates an experience like nothing else.
And the final thing I want to mention is religion. It is not an easy topic, and Perry never once pretends that it is. I think an easier way to I clude it in this story would be to show it as a darkness, a shadow in people's lives, but to be brave and to show it can also bring light while causing pain and to acknowledge that, actually, sometimes church is home whatever you might want to believe differently, that is truly wonderous.