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A review by summermorning
Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Open, Heaven follows a now adult James as he reflects on the summer he spent with his first love, Luke, when they were teenagers. Hewitt is a poet, and that is clear in the writing here with beautiful, reflective prose. The characters are still accessible, and the prose does not overbear, but rather layers nicely with the teenage angst and anxiety. The chapters each tell a season, and the reader is front and center not only with the change of nature each season, but with James himself.
I found the teenage reflection incredibly accurate and relatable. Things move very slowly and are driven through fantasy and longing as James is young and inexperienced as the only out kid in his small village. James is incredibly relatable when he is young, though I’ll admit the few chapters from his strictly adult perspective less so. But the bulk of the book has amazingly captured that otherworldly, dreamy quality of the memory of teenage years. The story is very nostalgic, and I found the cast of characters well rounded and solid. I loved the passages about James’ relationship with his mom. I found myself wishing there had been more in regards to his familial relationships, especially with his little brother. The adult perspective on his friendship with Luke left me a little dissatisfied but I think that’s just my personal perspective. The interactions between the various characters all feel very real, and the small village provides an interesting backdrop that is somehow both cosy and smothering, exactly how small towns feel.
Overall this is a great book with an honest, authentic take on the pining and perils of youth and first love, and how small periods of time in our lives can make a big impact on us as a whole. It’s beautifully written and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
This is an ARC review.
I found the teenage reflection incredibly accurate and relatable. Things move very slowly and are driven through fantasy and longing as James is young and inexperienced as the only out kid in his small village. James is incredibly relatable when he is young, though I’ll admit the few chapters from his strictly adult perspective less so. But the bulk of the book has amazingly captured that otherworldly, dreamy quality of the memory of teenage years. The story is very nostalgic, and I found the cast of characters well rounded and solid. I loved the passages about James’ relationship with his mom. I found myself wishing there had been more in regards to his familial relationships, especially with his little brother. The adult perspective on his friendship with Luke left me a little dissatisfied but I think that’s just my personal perspective. The interactions between the various characters all feel very real, and the small village provides an interesting backdrop that is somehow both cosy and smothering, exactly how small towns feel.
Overall this is a great book with an honest, authentic take on the pining and perils of youth and first love, and how small periods of time in our lives can make a big impact on us as a whole. It’s beautifully written and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
This is an ARC review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Outing, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail