At first, Jude and her twin brother Noah, are 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.
Title : I'll Give You The Sun
Author : Jandy Nelson
Format : eBook (overdrive)
Page Count : 371
Genre : YA contemporary / LGBTQIAP+
Publisher : Dial Books
Release Date : September 16, 2014
Reviewer : Hollis
Rating : ★ ★ ★
Hollis' 3 star review
Even after all this time, if you had asked me what this book was about, I wouldn't have been able to tell you. I had no idea. Just that I hadn't read it yet and every year I would have to dodge the hounding (and disappointment!) of my friends when I didn't bump it up the TBR. I doubt it's much of a surprise this didn't become one of my favourites, like it is for so many others, but honestly my feelings are all over the place for this one. I wanted so badly to like it but not sure I ever did. But I didn't hate it.
This definitely stands out in a sense for it's uniqueness. Also, for that eye-catching cover. Which definitely didn't warn me, #NoBlurber that I am, of the grief that would await me within the pages. Or the estrangement. Or.. let's be real, the weirdness. Because again I had no idea what this was about. And it took a while to find out, too.
Initially I felt overwhelmed with metaphors and, of course, just when I was getting used to that, I felt underwhelmed and annoyed by the personality switch. I found myself preoccupied by wondering how much of this was magical realism and how much was just wishful thinking. But I think, overwhelmingly, what was stranger were the coincidences of the connections -- they were just a little too convenient. But also hey life is strange, it could happen. Maybe. Okay, no, unlikely. And finally, though equally as overwhelming at times, these characters inflicted so much damage to each other.. and I just don't know how you could come back from that.
Having said all that, I did enjoy the last bit more than the first, even though nothing was particularly surprising as far as the reveals. So we did end on a high note. And I didn't hate the big fix that solved almost everyone's problems (except the one that's just on a time delay), though I probably should've.
Maybe I could've loved this a decade ago but sadly we'll never know. Some parts of this were lovely (mostly I'm thinking of their mum's immediate acceptance for a certain someone) and interesting (not sure I've encountered stone work like this before! and it was so beautifully described), others less so of both (I won't list them all out, I think you get the idea). But I'm glad I finally had a reason to read this -- this was the fourth pick from my Twelve Books in Twelve Months challenge -- as it was long long overdue.
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