I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson Published by Brilliance Audio, Speak on October 27th 2015
Genres: Literary Fiction
Pages: 375
Format: Audiobook
ISBN: 0142425761
ASIN: B00N96DKMM
Goodreads
The New York Times Bestselling story of first love, family, loss, and betrayal for fans of John Green, Jenny Offill, Emma Straub, and Rainbow Rowell
“We were all heading for each other on a collision course, no matter what. Maybe some people are just meant to be in the same story.”
At first, Jude and her twin brother are NoahandJude; inseparable. Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude wears red-red lipstick, cliff-dives, and does all the talking for both of them.
Years later, they are barely speaking. Something has happened to change the twins in different yet equally devastating ways . . . but then Jude meets an intriguing, irresistible boy and a mysterious new mentor.
The early years are Noah’s to tell; the later years are Jude’s. But they each have only half the story, and if they can only find their way back to one another, they’ll have a chance to remake their world.
This radiant, award-winning novel from the acclaimed author of The Sky Is Everywhere will leave you breathless and teary and laughing—often all at once.
Printz Award Winner Stonewall Honor Book
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#GayandLesbian #NewAdult #Siblings #DeathandDying #JesseBernstein @jandynelson @justjuliawhelan
I could do an entire post on why I choose a particular book to read or review: recommendations, other reviews, familiar authors, good pricing, the book description, or, as in the case of I’ll Give You the Sun, the book title. There is, however, much more to Jandy Nelson’s second novel than an intriguing title. With this book, she has, in many ways, given her readers the sun. Although the book is billed as New Adult, there is so much that is profound and mature in the story, it is would be a shame to cram this engaging book into any mold. Told by Noah Sweetwine as a 14-year-old and then picked up by his twin sister Jude as a 16-year-old, it runs the gamut of emotions from the loss of a parent to sexual discovery to the unique bond between siblings, particularly twins. Both twins engage in magical thinking, but the tone changes from lyrical and young in Noah’s POV to morose in Jude’s POV reflecting the changes that have taken place in the interim. Despite a story that is often heart-rending, the twins’ account of their lives is laced with the sort humor that will make you smile or, possibly, laugh out loud.
Now as to the narrators . . . Julia Whelan, a favorite of mine, is the voice of Jude Sweetwine and Jesse Bernstein is her twin brother Noah. This is my first experience with Mr. Bernstein and his performance of the young Noah is superior. It is one of those that takes the quality of the author’s story to a new level. Noah’s mind is so full of his art, his emotions, and his emerging sexuality. Jandy Nelson captures a chaotic time in this young person’s life with accuracy and sensitivity and Mr. Bernstein interprets her words to perfection, giving listeners a clear and evocative look at Noah as he struggles to relate to the people in his world. Ms. Whelan is exactly the right voice for Jude, a young woman who has experienced devastating loss. As she tries to come to terms with the dramatic and unforeseen changes in her life, we hear the narrator become the voice of Jude’s late Grandma Sweetwine, an eccentric and often hilarious advisor who lives in Jude’s head.
I find my meager descriptive powers inadequate to convey the beauty of Jandy Nelson’s language. To say she has a way with words? My 12th grade English teacher had a way with words, but she wasn’t a gifted writer. To say she tells a good story? My grandfather was a master storyteller, but he was a simple man and expressed himself with simple words. I hate to use an analogy that has been overdone, but sometimes there is no original way to communicate a thought. There are writers whose words are more art than storytelling: the language flows like paint from brush to canvas or musical notes from a well-played instrument. Jandy Nelson is one of those. I think this book will be a special treat for anyone who loves the imagery and the beauty of language for its own sake. I have a short list of authors of whom I’ve said, “I would like to spend awhile in their minds.” Because I can only imagine what Ms. Nelson sees in her head that transcribes to the words she writes, I am adding her name to this distinguished list. In my opinion, I’ll Give You the Sun will appeal to any age group because it deals with common issues we must all face as human beings.
About Jandy Nelson
Jandy Nelson, like her characters in I’ll Give You the Sun and The Sky is Everywhere, comes from a superstitious lot. She was tutored from a young age in the art of the four-leaf clover hunt; she knocks wood, throws salt, and carries charms in her pockets. Her critically-acclaimed, New York Times bestselling second novel, I’ll Give You the Sun, received the 2015 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, Bank Street’s Josette Frank Award, and a Stonewall Honor Book Award. Both Sun and her debut, The Sky Is Everywhere, have been YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults picks and on multiple best of the year lists including the New York Times, Time Magazine, NPR, have earned many starred reviews, and continue to enjoy great international success, collectively published in over 47 countries. I’ll Give You the Sun has been sold to Warner Brothers and screenwriter Natalie Krinsky is currently writing the adaptation. Jandy, a literary agent for many years, received a BA from Cornell University and MFAs in Poetry and Children’s Writing from Brown University and Vermont College of Fine Arts. Currently a full-time writer, she lives and writes in San Francisco, California–not far from the settings of her novels.
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