A review by pupaebug
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I just randomly checked this book out from the library a few days ago, because I recognized it from reading the back of the book at Barnes and Noble in my teens, but I never actually picked it up. I am so, so glad I finally checked this book out half a decade later. The writing style was beautiful, it really surprised me. The narrative style is compelling and it really drew me into the book. From the moment it was revealed that
Noah didn't get into CSA, and that Jude and Noah's mother died,
I knew this book wouldn't be what I expected, and I am so thankful for that. I absolutely loved the way the relationship between Jude and Noah was portrayed in the book. Their relationship was so compelling, and so heartbreaking to me. They really felt like two halves of a whole. Their motivations and their actions were all completely understandable given their situations and their feelings. They both felt so deeply human, with an incredibly fleshed out and imperfect relationship. I loved the exploration of their relationship with each other, and their different relationships with their mother. My only criticisms about this book are the romance aspect between Jude and Oscar, personally, I did not care for this much, as the real love story of the novel was Jude and Noah. I also thought Jude and Noah's father could have been fleshed out more. Throughout the novel, he became a more sympathetic character, but we never really got to learn about him. Despite these, I absolutely devoured this book in less than three days and I'm so glad I did. I loved it.
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