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A review by kris_mccracken
Sunshine by Kim Kelly
3.0
Kim Kelly's "Sunshine" impresses with its engaging and assertive characterisation, which breathes life into its protagonists. Snow and Jack, two returned servicemen, and Grace, a British nurse married to damaged Aussie veteran Arthur, share the narrative in a clever interweaving of perspectives. This tripartite setup allows the reader to delve into the complex expectations these characters grapple with, especially against the backdrop of a society still shaped by its patriarchal, racist and colonial roots.
There's an undeniable charm in Kelly's sparse prose. It isn't ostentatious, but rich in nuance, capturing place with a delicate, unembellished beauty. The novel touches on weighty themes like the horrors of war, Aboriginal rights, PTSD, and homosexuality, yet does so with a light touch. While there are moments where the characters' attitudes and interactions might feel anachronistic, the strength of the story makes these easy to overlook. The anachronisms seem like necessary indulgences in the service of a more vivid, accessible tale, and I was happy to forgive them.
At its heart, "Sunshine" is about connection, romantic, platonic and spiritual. Beyond the relationship between Grace and Art, the novel delves into the bonds of friendship and the characters' affinity with the land itself, with its wide-open spaces and relentless sunshine. There's a palpable sense of longing and belonging here that elevates the story beyond the expected wartime romance.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/ 2
There's an undeniable charm in Kelly's sparse prose. It isn't ostentatious, but rich in nuance, capturing place with a delicate, unembellished beauty. The novel touches on weighty themes like the horrors of war, Aboriginal rights, PTSD, and homosexuality, yet does so with a light touch. While there are moments where the characters' attitudes and interactions might feel anachronistic, the strength of the story makes these easy to overlook. The anachronisms seem like necessary indulgences in the service of a more vivid, accessible tale, and I was happy to forgive them.
At its heart, "Sunshine" is about connection, romantic, platonic and spiritual. Beyond the relationship between Grace and Art, the novel delves into the bonds of friendship and the characters' affinity with the land itself, with its wide-open spaces and relentless sunshine. There's a palpable sense of longing and belonging here that elevates the story beyond the expected wartime romance.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/ 2