The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
inke410's review against another edition
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Child abuse
hannalng's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Animal death, Blood, Animal cruelty, Murder, and Suicide
andreareiter's review against another edition
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Eating disorder, Suicide, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, and Murder
johannamrr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Self harm, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Animal death
karanotfound's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Death, and Eating disorder
,jonacoreen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
historically_brunette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Minor: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Animal death, Medical trauma, and Self harm
amotoquinha's review
- 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? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Gun violence
tomoonarmy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Eating disorder, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
shelfofunread's review against another edition
3.5
Arenz – and translator Rachel Ward – has done a wonderful job of conveying his characters: from teenager Sally’s righteous fury at the perceived injustices of her world to the emotive outbursts that periodically disrupt forty-something farmer Liss’s aura of quiet calm and worldly acceptance. Neither woman is exactly likeable but I wholly believed in them as people, warts and all.
As the novel progresses, it also becomes apparent that deep-rooted trauma lies at the centre of each women. I won’t give spoilers but, although never graphic or gory, readers should be aware that the novel deals with anorexia and disordered eating, physical and emotional abuse, gaslighting, forced confinement, self-harm, and domestic violence. Arenz’s handling of these topics – and his focus upon the way in which both human and natural connections can, gradually, offer healing – is both considered and sensitive, and the result is a powerfully moving novel of connection and transformation.
Tasting Sunlight is a slow and meditative read and, as such, won’t be for everyone. Although there most certainly is a ‘plot’, it is Sally and Liss – and the connections that are gradually built and drawn between them – that lie at the heart of this novel. It is a novel about the small interactions and almost imperceptible alterations in outlook that impact upon our everyday lives, and the small moments in each day that shift something within us. Arenz writes beautifully about the natural world and the solace to be found within interactions with it and, as the novel progresses, labouring on the land becomes a way for both Sally and Liss to come to terms with their pasts and confront their futures.
Overall, Tasting Sunlight was that rare and precious thing: a novel that surprised me. For the first 50 pages, I genuinely think I would enjoy it. Then, to my surprise, I had finished it. And, even more surprising, I couldn’t stop thinking about it! Wonderfully atmospheric, empathetic, and thoughtful, Tasting Sunlight is a powerful and emotional read that resonates long after you’ve turned the final page.
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the Blog Tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.Â
Moderate: Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse