The setting of Martha's Vineyard is brought to life by Hoffman's vivid imagery and a bountiful bouquet of descriptions at hand. The fireflies that light up the night's sky can't help but fill you with hope, as the author explores themes of life, love and death.
The opening paragraph transports us inside the mind of a four year old boy, one kept awake at night by the buzz of dragonflies at his window, and a yearning desire to be a little bit taller. It's a fascinating insight into the mind of a small child, something all of us have experienced at one point in our life, but few can recall.
Little Simon, or 'Thumby' as his peers refer to him, is anything but the sole protagonist in this book. He is one of many who get their own thoughts and descriptions, the result is a rich tapestry of varied voices. A collection of short stories almost, that fit perfectly together and work as a novel.
In just a few of the book's opening pages, we meet a married couple facing temptation, an elderly widow losing her sight and a teenager's first crush. Their tales are woven together intricately, the patchwork is seamless.Each character feels separate, but none are out of place. What makes this book stand out, is the author's ability to go between such complex characters at will - so you can never be sure of what will happen next.
A modern day fable that paints the perfect picture of life and death, and everything in between. Illumination Night is instantly readable, the kind of book you'll take everywhere with you - until you've read every single page.
Whether it's at the office, on a long jeepney ride home or sprawled out on a sofa, this book will remain in-sight until completion.
How good is it? 4.5/5 (Talaga!)
No comments:
Post a Comment