Review- I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Goodreads Summary–

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.

1. Beautifully written– Jandy Nelson is truly beyond talented. I can not recall a time when I read a story that was beautifully written.
2. Characters– I truly appreciated all the characters but I have a soft spot for Jude.  I enjoyed reading his side of the story the best.  Jandy Nelson has a great way of making her characters come alive. I felt so connected to all the characters and I truly cared about their well-being.
3. Art– I can not recall ever reading a book where art and creativity is such an essential part of the story.  I loved reading about the art world and about characters who were passionate about it.
4. The relationships– It was interesting to read about all of the relationships in the story.  Obviously I was more invested in the sibling relationship between Jude and Noah but I also appreciate the romantic relationships as well.  It was also a huge bonus that the parents are a large part of the story!
5. Character growth– I’ll Give You the Sun takes place over a few years so it allows the reader to see how the characters grow and change of time.

I truly can not come up with anything that I disliked.  I instantly added this book to my favourites list and I only do that with books that are pretty much perfection in my mind!

“I didn’t know you could get buried in your own silence.”

“Or maybe a person is just made up of a lot of people,” I say. “Maybe we’re accumulating these new selves all the time.” Hauling them in as we make choices, good and bad, as we screw up, step up, lose our minds, find our minds, fall apart, fall in love, as we grieve, grow, retreat from the world, dive into the world, as we make things, as we break things.”

“In one split second I saw everything I could be, everything I want to be. And all that I’m not.”

Obviously I recommend I’ll Give You the Sun! The writing is fantastic, and the story itself is very moving and touching. I felt so connected to the characters that now that the story is over I kind of miss them.  I do want to point out that this kind of writing may not be for everyone.  It is very lyrical and metaphorical so if that is not something that you usually enjoy I would suggest reading the first chapter just to see what you think about it!