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A review by heykellyjensen
Because of the Sun by Jenny Torres Sanchez
The definition of a "quiet read" and one wherein the ~magical realism~ is 100% realism but through the lens of grief and dreams and hallucination.
Dani's mother is killed by a bear, and she's sent to live with the aunt she's never known on the other side of the country. It's a sold story about grief and loss, one which reminds me a bit of Nina LaCour's WE ARE OKAY in how it's presented as something so solitary and individual and all-encompassing. But what I disliked was how there's a whole chapter in the end of part two which is just the info dump of backstory. It's not woven in well, and it made me a little irritated because it could have been done much more masterfully.
The book has a lonely feeling and that's a good thing. Torres Sanchez captures a feeling so raw and overwhelming and does so in a way that's authentic and resonates.
Dani's mother is killed by a bear, and she's sent to live with the aunt she's never known on the other side of the country. It's a sold story about grief and loss, one which reminds me a bit of Nina LaCour's WE ARE OKAY in how it's presented as something so solitary and individual and all-encompassing. But what I disliked was how there's a whole chapter in the end of part two which is just the info dump of backstory. It's not woven in well, and it made me a little irritated because it could have been done much more masterfully.
The book has a lonely feeling and that's a good thing. Torres Sanchez captures a feeling so raw and overwhelming and does so in a way that's authentic and resonates.