I’ll Give You the Sun: A Beautifully Complicated Love Story
When I first picked up I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, I was drawn in by its vibrant cover and the promise of deep emotional exploration. As someone fascinated by the intricacies of sibling relationships, the dual perspectives of twins Noah and Jude promised a unique journey, pulling me into a world where creativity and connection intertwine with loss and longing.
The novel alternates between Noah’s voice at 13 and Jude’s at 16, compellingly charting their emotional and physical separation. As twins who were once inseparable, their story begins with the sweetness of first love and the intense rivalry that arises as they vie for their parents’ affection. Noah’s introspective and artistic character captures the tender thrill of his first romantic feelings for Brian, encapsulated in beautifully written scenes filled with nervous excitement. On the other hand, Jude, a rebellious spirit with a wild heart, grapples with her own identity, trying to navigate her complicated world of loss and self-imposed restrictions.
One of the book’s strongest attributes is its unusual structure and writing style. I loved the imaginative flourishes in Noah’s storyline, with metaphors that brought the text alive, such as "Jude barfs bright blue fluorescent barf all over the table," and the creative scene captions like “PORTRAIT: Jude Braiding Boy After Boy into Her Hair.” These stylistic choices add layers of depth but can feel a bit cloying at times. Still, I found it optimistic and colorful enough to keep me engaged.
However, the characters weren’t without their flaws. Oh, Oscar. While I can see why readers might swoon over him—the quintessential "bad boy" with his scars and mysterious past—I found his portrayal a bit too stereotypical. He sometimes felt like a caricature of teenage fantasies rather than a fully fleshed-out character. My eye-rolling didn’t end there; the complexities of Jude’s relationship with Zephyr invoked a similar frustration. Jude’s treatment of him seemed overly harsh to me, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling that it painted an unfair picture of consent and accountability.
An aspect that perplexed me, common in many novels, was the lack of communication between characters. Brian’s abrupt departure without a word felt unrealistic. Does no one in fiction ever think to have a three-minute conversation in moments of confusion? It’s a device that I often struggle with, and I can’t help but wish for more authenticity in these interactions.
Yet, amidst these criticisms, I’ll Give You the Sun turned out to be a sweet and poignant read. The dynamic between Noah and Jude is what truly shines, magnified by the moments of love, loss, and their powerful bond as siblings. A heart-wrenching line—“When Castor died, Pollux missed him too much, so he made a deal to share his immortality with him”—echoed in my mind long after I closed the book. It encapsulated the lengths to which we would go for those we love and the enduring essence of their impact on our lives.
This book is likely to resonate with those who appreciate heartfelt narratives, artistic expression, and the messy reality of growing up. While I didn’t end up loving it as much as many others, I certainly found much to cherish within its pages. If you’re drawn to stories rich in emotion and sibling dynamics, this novel is worth the read. It might just inspire you to reflect on the bonds that shape us, even when they become complicated.
So, if you’re searching for a tale that dances between joy and heartache, I’ll Give You the Sun might just be the book for you.