Release Date: 27th June 2022
Publisher: Wrecking Ball Press
“I think there are things going on in your sister that nobody knew anything about.”
1974. Teenage siblings Ellie and Colin are on holiday when they fall for the same girl.
From this strange meeting onward, Ellie’s musical talent takes her to new heights, Colin finds his own fascination in photography, and both seem set for fulfilment – until catastrophe overtakes Ellie and changes the shape of the whole family.
Years later, brother and sister must battle to understand what has befallen them.
Beneath this unassuming cover, is a bold story waiting to be told. A fever dream tale, patchwork snapshots of the lives of a family as they move through time, people growing apart, together and older in their own ways as the years fade away. The prose style was striking, vivid and kept me in a suspended, unsettling haze throughout.
The characters were strong, distinct and clearly complex - but personally the jumping, dream-scape style of the story kept me from getting too attached the characters. A very unsettling, non-linear, disjointed style of storytelling means this book is definitely not for everyone, but it's definitely well-written and will deeply resonate with some readers.
Delving into the complexity of family, the dangers of obsession and the quiet ways that mental health issues can sneak up and take our lives down without us even noticing. From the first few pages, we know something is looming over the pages, just waiting for the fog to clear and to see things clearly.
Emotional, impactful and evocative - you will not forget the Lightman siblings any time soon.
CW: Swearing, mental illness, racially and culturally insensitive language.
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