Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn, narrated by Bahni Turpin
Liveright, 2016 (Highbridge, 2016)
Fiction; 352 pgs (11hrs,42min)
Source: I purchased both print and audio versions of this book.
Source: I purchased both print and audio versions of this book.
Goodreads Summary:
Capturing the distinct rhythms of Jamaican life and dialect, Nicole Dennis- Benn pens a tender hymn to a world hidden among pristine beaches and the wide expanse of turquoise seas. At an opulent resort in Montego Bay, Margot hustles to send her younger sister, Thandi, to school. Taught as a girl to trade her sexuality for survival, Margot is ruthlessly determined to shield Thandi from the same fate. When plans for a new hotel threaten their village, Margot sees not only an opportunity for her own financial independence but also perhaps a chance to admit a shocking secret: her forbidden love for another woman. As they face the impending destruction of their community, each woman—fighting to balance the burdens she shoulders with the freedom she craves—must confront long-hidden scars. From a much-heralded new writer, Here Comes the Sun offers a dramatic glimpse into a vibrant, passionate world most outsiders see simply as paradise.
I am not sure what to say about this novel. It has left me feeling a bit raw. Bhani Turpin's narration was brilliant. I am really glad I chose to listen to the audio version despite my also having a print copy. The writing is beautiful, but the subject matter is rather dark . . . and uncomfortable. I work in a field that in recent years has put a lot of focus on human trafficking, particularly of under age youth. The subject matter is not new to me, and so I imagine some of what was covered in this book was less shocking to me than it might to be other readers. Or perhaps not. The reader really gets a look at the darker side behind the scenes, so to speak, of Jamaica and its tourist scene.
Let me just say there are no perfect characters in this book. They are deeply flawed. They are shaped by their experiences, have lived hard and difficult lives, and the choices they make are not always the best ones--not for themselves or for others. Sometimes their intentions are meant well; sometimes decisions are made out of desperation.
Margot was a victim of a fate she was unable to escape. She uses what she has learned to her advantage, stepping on toes as she goes. While some might call her a strong woman, I felt she was lost and her strength rather fragile. Margot's lover, Verdene, comes the closest to breaking down the wall around Margot's heart. After years off abuse as a child, trafficked by someone who was supposed to protect her, Margot does not love easily. I can see why Margot makes the choices she makes, in part to raise herself and her sister out of the poverty they grew up in and out of the life she's been living, and yet many of those choices made my heart hurt. Frankly, my heart hurt a lot as I listened to Here Comes the Sun.
Thandi is also lost, on a path she would rather not be on, one her mother and sister have chosen for her. She is struggling to find her own identity. She bleaches her skin to make her skin lighter--having most of her life been told that black is ugly. On scholarship to a prestigious high school, she longs to fit in, but never quite does. She takes comfort in her art and in her friendship with a local boy, much to her family's consternation. I really liked Thandi, and, like those who loved her, I wanted most to see her succeed.
This book made me feel some very strong emotions from sadness to anger: from colorism to racism, homophobia, misogyny, sexual abuse, human trafficking, classism and poverty. Dennis-Benn lays it all out there in a very real and raw way. Alfonso is the picture of white privilege who did not hesitate to use it or his wealth to get his way. Verdene only wants to love and be loved and yet she is met with prejudice and was ostracized. Thandi hated the color of her own skin, growing up in a home and culture where black is considered less than--and even ugly. I have such mixed feelings about Margot and everything she went through and did . . . I could go on and on. This isn't a book I will soon forget. Here Comes the Sun will not appeal to everyone, but it is a deeply moving book that will break your heart over and over again. It was impossible not to get swept up in the stories of the characters, both major and minor, and lost in the rhythm of the narration and writing.
Let me just say there are no perfect characters in this book. They are deeply flawed. They are shaped by their experiences, have lived hard and difficult lives, and the choices they make are not always the best ones--not for themselves or for others. Sometimes their intentions are meant well; sometimes decisions are made out of desperation.
Margot was a victim of a fate she was unable to escape. She uses what she has learned to her advantage, stepping on toes as she goes. While some might call her a strong woman, I felt she was lost and her strength rather fragile. Margot's lover, Verdene, comes the closest to breaking down the wall around Margot's heart. After years off abuse as a child, trafficked by someone who was supposed to protect her, Margot does not love easily. I can see why Margot makes the choices she makes, in part to raise herself and her sister out of the poverty they grew up in and out of the life she's been living, and yet many of those choices made my heart hurt. Frankly, my heart hurt a lot as I listened to Here Comes the Sun.
Thandi is also lost, on a path she would rather not be on, one her mother and sister have chosen for her. She is struggling to find her own identity. She bleaches her skin to make her skin lighter--having most of her life been told that black is ugly. On scholarship to a prestigious high school, she longs to fit in, but never quite does. She takes comfort in her art and in her friendship with a local boy, much to her family's consternation. I really liked Thandi, and, like those who loved her, I wanted most to see her succeed.
This book made me feel some very strong emotions from sadness to anger: from colorism to racism, homophobia, misogyny, sexual abuse, human trafficking, classism and poverty. Dennis-Benn lays it all out there in a very real and raw way. Alfonso is the picture of white privilege who did not hesitate to use it or his wealth to get his way. Verdene only wants to love and be loved and yet she is met with prejudice and was ostracized. Thandi hated the color of her own skin, growing up in a home and culture where black is considered less than--and even ugly. I have such mixed feelings about Margot and everything she went through and did . . . I could go on and on. This isn't a book I will soon forget. Here Comes the Sun will not appeal to everyone, but it is a deeply moving book that will break your heart over and over again. It was impossible not to get swept up in the stories of the characters, both major and minor, and lost in the rhythm of the narration and writing.
To learn more about Nicole Dennis-Benn and her work, please visit the author's website or visit her on Twitter.
To learn more about Bhani Turpin visit her on Twitter.
© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
This sounds like a very emotional book; one which would makes our hearts ache the more we read about the story, especially how some of the characters have been through. I'm not sure if I want to read it, though. Probably some other time if the book calls to me.
ReplyDeleteMelody - Yes, it was an emotional read for me. I think it hits on some very important and relevant issues, but I think, for some, it may be too depressing.
DeleteOh wow, you've made this sound like such and important book. Bahni Turpin was one of the narrators of The Sun is Also a Star and, I agree, she is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I think it is important--it definitely covers topics that need to be in the open.
DeleteSadly this sounds like a topical read. Whilst I haven't read any of this authors books I have recently read a novel featuring under age trafficking and found it very distressing.
ReplyDeleteTracy - Yes, unfortunately the issues covered in this book are relevant for today.
DeleteOh wow...sounds fabulous and like the audio version is a must.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - I think so. :-)
DeleteOh, my. I wonder if it would be better for me to read this in print vs audiobook. Sometimes the really depressing books are very difficult for me to take on audio, especially if there is graphic violence.
ReplyDeleteHave you read A Brief History of Seven Killings? It's REALLY long and difficult, but also is about Jamaica and touches on a lot of the same themes.
Aarti - I had doubts about listening to the audio at first because I this is a book that required I listen carefully (beautifully written), which isn't always my strong suit when I'm driving or cleaning house. I am glad I did though. Still, I kept my print book handy and referred to it now and then. There really isn't any graphic violence--maybe one scene--it's really more the emotional aspect and subject matter that make this one tough. I haven't read A Brief History of Seven Killings.
Delete