winyeemichelle's review against another edition
3.0
Eco-fiction is a new-to-me genre and one that I have found works with varying degrees of success.
There’s no denying that climate change and emergencies are already here: wildfires, flooding, typhoons and unprecedented weather mood swings are a regular occurrence. When the Lights Go Out tells the story of Chris and Emma, a married couple living on the site of an ancient waterbank. It simultaneously deals with the ecosystem of a marriage and of their immediate surroundings, a deeply human look at relationships in the face of disaster on many levels. Chris is preparing for climate disaster; Emma is optimistic and ready to rally. This novel looks at how necessary and fragile both can be.
I really enjoyed the way the book talks about climate change: we must face the issues head on, but not lose our heads in the process. Uncomfortably, we see Chris descend down a rabbit hole in the face of the climate emergencies and the impact that that has on the couple’s marriage and relationship. I found the middle section of the book to read quite disjointedly and it lacked focus, although that did add, I suppose, to the general atmosphere of chaos. What I did enjoy was the humanity of the story and how it talks about something we’re all facing. The setting of the book was perfect for this and, while a bit on the nose, this is an accessible eco-fiction read.
_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
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.