_i_b_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dawnmw93's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
cooloolat's review against another edition
4.0
With many thanks to Carys Bray, Random House UK and NetGalley for the ARC of When the Lights Go Out.
This is a challenging read. Set in Northern England in the days before Christmas when the country is inundated by rain and flooding caused by a changing climate. Describing the interactions of family members from three generations, not all the characters are affable. The character development is outstanding, the writing is skillful. With comment on climate change, the anxiety associated with it and the consequences of religious fanaticism, this book is highly thought provoking and definitely recommended.
This is a challenging read. Set in Northern England in the days before Christmas when the country is inundated by rain and flooding caused by a changing climate. Describing the interactions of family members from three generations, not all the characters are affable. The character development is outstanding, the writing is skillful. With comment on climate change, the anxiety associated with it and the consequences of religious fanaticism, this book is highly thought provoking and definitely recommended.
mitchk's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was a great pick for Bookclub. I didn’t love it but it gave me lots to think about. The whole issue of climate anxiety and how to cope with forces that seem bigger than you was dealt with well through the lens of one family. He writing is crisp and the interactions between family members written brilliantly. There are a few comic moments to break from the sense of doom.
isagination's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookish_arcadia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
alisyy's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readlikeanerd's review against another edition
5.0
Having read and enjoyed Carys Bray’s short story collection, Sweet Home, I was very pleased to be able to read her latest novel, Before the Lights Go Out. This book focuses in on the Abram family in the lead-up to Christmas. Whilst Emma Abram, mother of two teenage boys and proficient at being self-sufficient in these financially difficult times, is preparing for Christmas by sewing presents and baking, her husband has his own agenda. Obsessed with the worsening climate crisis, Chris Abram has taken to standing in town with a home-made sign premonishing the end of the world, akin to a religious prophet of doom. Chris’ increasing mania over the environment is coming between him and Emma, and in his preoccupation it’s possible he may be missing something important happening to his family. This is a slow burn of a novel that grips up until its surprising crescendo of a finale. The characters and relationships are well built and I felt for Emma and all that she had to suffer through. It was also nice to read a book that was set in the north of England, specifically on the North West coast. A book set in the north with northern people’s real concerns about their changing climate was extremely refreshing to read. This is one of my favourite reads so far this year and I will definitely be seeking out the rest of Bray’s novels.
beledit's review against another edition
5.0
This is an extremely well written and thoughtful novel. Bray's characters and situations are believable and their individual personalities shine out. The story is well constructed and engrossing. But above all, this is a thought-provoking novel that is particularly appropriate reading right now, as we are still in the Covid-19 pandemic. I highly recommend it.
The novel centres on Chris, Emma and their family. It is set some time in the near future to the backdrop of climate change where they live with constant rain, unemployment and the constant psychological stress of trying to continue normal life while knowing that life will never be 'normal' again. Emma tries to do what she can - being vegetarian, using energy sparingly, making useful hand-made items as Christmas gifts. Chris is catastrophising and has become more extreme; his actions will eventually put them all at risk.
It's a difficult book to read if you are conscious of climate change (who isn't?) and feel that you should be doing more about it. Emma's valiant efforts, which are probably similar to what many people are doing today, seem futile and insignificant in the face of the continuing downpour and the sense of impending doom. Chris' survivalist behaviour is distressing his wife and kids, and you can see that he is close to being pushed over the edge by his worry about the future. His actions - like buying antibiotics online from some source his wife doesn't trust - seem extreme.
And yet... Here we are in the midst of a natural catastrophe. Not climate change (yes, that's still there but it's somewhat on the back burner for now) but Covid-19. Buying surgical masks online for delivery from China and worrying if we are making ourselves and our families safer or putting them at risk of breathing in lung-damaging microparticles. Uncertain whether stocking up on toilet paper is a wise move or a ridiculous over-reaction. Questioning every decision, from whether it's safe to see a friend (and should we both be wearing masks or not?) to whether you'll put off seeing a doctor until it feels safer to go into a medical facility.
In this context, Emma and Chris' reactions appear all-too believable and understandable. And while some readers may feel that Emma is level-headed and Chris has lost it, others will feel Chris is the one seeing reality and Emma is fiddling while Rome burns. You'll certainly be asking yourself 'where do I fit in this spectrum of worry/activism/powerless acceptance?'.
Covid-19 will, hopefully, become less of a threat in the coming months. Climate change won't. This novel will remain a timely and valuable challenge, prompting readers to think about what's happening and what their personal responsibility might be.
My thanks to Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
Like this review? Why not check out my book review site: BelEdit Book Reviews?
The novel centres on Chris, Emma and their family. It is set some time in the near future to the backdrop of climate change where they live with constant rain, unemployment and the constant psychological stress of trying to continue normal life while knowing that life will never be 'normal' again. Emma tries to do what she can - being vegetarian, using energy sparingly, making useful hand-made items as Christmas gifts. Chris is catastrophising and has become more extreme; his actions will eventually put them all at risk.
It's a difficult book to read if you are conscious of climate change (who isn't?) and feel that you should be doing more about it. Emma's valiant efforts, which are probably similar to what many people are doing today, seem futile and insignificant in the face of the continuing downpour and the sense of impending doom. Chris' survivalist behaviour is distressing his wife and kids, and you can see that he is close to being pushed over the edge by his worry about the future. His actions - like buying antibiotics online from some source his wife doesn't trust - seem extreme.
And yet... Here we are in the midst of a natural catastrophe. Not climate change (yes, that's still there but it's somewhat on the back burner for now) but Covid-19. Buying surgical masks online for delivery from China and worrying if we are making ourselves and our families safer or putting them at risk of breathing in lung-damaging microparticles. Uncertain whether stocking up on toilet paper is a wise move or a ridiculous over-reaction. Questioning every decision, from whether it's safe to see a friend (and should we both be wearing masks or not?) to whether you'll put off seeing a doctor until it feels safer to go into a medical facility.
In this context, Emma and Chris' reactions appear all-too believable and understandable. And while some readers may feel that Emma is level-headed and Chris has lost it, others will feel Chris is the one seeing reality and Emma is fiddling while Rome burns. You'll certainly be asking yourself 'where do I fit in this spectrum of worry/activism/powerless acceptance?'.
Covid-19 will, hopefully, become less of a threat in the coming months. Climate change won't. This novel will remain a timely and valuable challenge, prompting readers to think about what's happening and what their personal responsibility might be.
My thanks to Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
Like this review? Why not check out my book review site: BelEdit Book Reviews?