Illumination Night

"Simon can hear the sound of pine cones hitting the ground, or bones breaking" (p 4). You know you are in for a wild ride when you read that early-in-the-book sentence because, at that moment you haven't learned that Simon, at age four, has just heard the result of woman trying to fly. There are so many things you don't know...yet. I should also add that Illumination Night is a really fast read. I read the first 80 pages before coming up for air. My entire lunch break flew by without my eyes lifting from the page once. Alice Hoffman is one of those authors that can suck you into a story within the first few sentences. Once you are hooked you can't escape the story or the characters. This is a story of relationships. A grandmother, show more trying to understand her 16 year old granddaughter. They live next door to a married couple trying to live with their insecurities and unmet desires. All of the characters become entangled with one another when the teenager sets her sights on seducing the husband. And then, this part sounds like the punchline to a joke, a giant walks into the picture...Seriously, this is a simply beautiful story about relationships, the ones with healing and faith in them. show less

The plot takes a back seat in this languid, dreamlike tale that perfectly captures the passions and fears of Martha’s Vineyard neighbors. Especially striking are the descriptions of teenage Jody’s ambivalent emotions and her first love with the island’s most reclusive inhabitant.

I think many readers will be disappointed with the slice-of-life style, preferring something with a more proactive plot and story resolution.

Vonny and Andrew live in Martha’s Vineyard with their five-year-old slow-growing son, Simon. Their next-door neighbor, Elizabeth Renny, falls from a window and must get assistance, which arrives in the form of her rebellious teenage granddaughter, Jody. Eddie, called “the Giant,” lives alone with his chickens, avoiding social contact due to his extreme height. This is the story of people living in this small community. Each of the main characters is dealing with an issue.

I liked parts of this book quite a bit, especially the first half. The description of “illumination night,” an annual event, is beautiful. I enjoyed the relationship between Jody and her grandmother, a much-needed relief from her overbearing parents. The last show more half of the book is extremely sad. The characters start with problems and end with problems, though perhaps different ones. There is little humor or joy to be found. Surely someone in this town is happy? The storylines are well developed until they just….end. Maybe I missed something, but it seems it seems unfinished to me. show less

Vonny and Andrew live in Martha’s Vineyard with their five-year-old slow-growing son, Simon. Their next-door neighbor, Elizabeth Renny, falls from a window and must get assistance, which arrives in the form of her rebellious teenage granddaughter, Jody. Eddie, called “the Giant,” lives alone with his chickens, avoiding social contact due to his extreme height. This is the story of people living in this small community. Each of the main characters is dealing with an issue.

I liked parts of this book quite a bit, especially the first half. The description of “illumination night,” an annual event, is beautiful. I enjoyed the relationship between Jody and her grandmother, a much-needed relief from her overbearing parents. The last show more half of the book is extremely sad. The characters start with problems and end with problems, though perhaps different ones. There is little humor or joy to be found. Surely someone in this town is happy? The storylines are well developed until they just….end. Maybe I missed something, but it seems it seems unfinished to me. show less

This book gets a big fat MEH, from me. It’s not horrible, it’s just boring. I’ve read and enjoyed some of Hoffman’s other books, like Practical Magic and Blue Diary, so I thought I’d try this one. The novel, set on Martha’s Vineyard, introduces us to a variety of characters, but never really settles into a groove.

One of the major problems is that Hoffman is trying to tell too many stories at once. First there’s Vonny, who has issues with her rich father and is suffering from agoraphobia. Then we have her son Simon, who is far too small for his age, and her husband Andre, who is tempted to have an affair. Add to the mix, Elizabeth, an elderly neighbor with failing health, and her granddaughter Jody, a rebellious teen who show more moves in with her for the summer. But that’s not all folks! There’s also a giant, perhaps the most interesting character of the book, but we barely scratch the surface of his story.

Throw that all together and try to connect the dots and you end up with a bit of a mess. In the end we aren’t induced to care about any of the characters. Though some of the plot lines are interesting, we never get a chance to become invested in any of them. Skip this one and try another of her books if you’re curious about her work. show less

Excellent writing with interesting characters. Elizabeth Renny is getting old and having "spells." Her granddaughter Jody has come to Martha's Vineyard to take care of her but is an angry, rebellious, sexually aggressive 16-year-old. Next door to Elizabeth is a young couple, Vonny and Andre, with issues of their own and a son who isn't growing. There is also a "giant" in the book who becomes involved with a couple of the characters. A haunting story and the author doesn't neatly tie up all the loose ends but does leave the reader with hope that the characters they have come to know and care about will survive and even thrive. Ms. Hoffman never disappoints.

Probably not Hoffman's best work compared to the other novels I've read from her, but still an absolutely wonderful journey into the lives of unique characters whose intersections and effects are a fascinating worthwhile read. As ever, the characters are both believable and unique, with voices that resonate long after each page is turned. In the end, I admit that I wanted slightly more resolution, but Hoffman's work is nearly pitch perfect for the story and the problems she paints within. Recommended.