Book Review: Sunburn by Jessie Howarth
When I first stumbled upon Sunburn by Jessie Howarth, the opening line captured my imagination instantly: “Now is the time between birth and slaughter.” It’s a bold, evocative statement that sets the tone for this beautifully complex coming-of-age tale. As someone who often seeks out stories that explore the depths of young love and self-discovery, I found myself irresistibly drawn into Howarth’s portrayal of Lucy’s journey in a small Irish town during the 90s.
At its heart, Sunburn tells the story of Lucy, a girl caught in the throes of an obsessive love for her childhood friend, Susannah. Throughout the pages, we meander through Lucy’s mind—a beautiful yet tumultuous landscape—where her desires for external validation clash with the pure, unyielding love she feels for Susannah. Howarth delicately captures the bittersweet essence of first love, wrapped in the insecurities of adolescence and societal pressures that loom over their relationship. In a town where queerness is taboo, Lucy’s internal struggle becomes a poignant exploration of identity and acceptance.
Howarth’s writing style is nothing short of poetic. The way she crafts Lucy’s thoughts feels intimate, almost invasive, and it’s a delight to witness Lucy’s obsession unfold. Quotes like, “Even on school mornings when I am frozen to the bone and exhausted, being near her is always sunbathing in the garden,” showcase Howarth’s ability to evoke warmth amid conflict. With each chapter encapsulating different stages of Lucy’s life from fifteen to twenty, we glean insights into her evolving self-perception and the profound connections she shares with Susannah and her best friend, Martin.
The narrative flows beautifully, though it took me a moment to get through the lush prose filled with layers of yearning and heartbreak. Perhaps the most striking part is how Lucy perceives the world around her, particularly during those vivid summer months. How delightful it is to read about the joys of young love against the backdrop of a small town, where every secret feels like a weight on Lucy’s shoulders. Yet, despite the heaviness of her emotions, Howarth manages to infuse sweetness into their moments—the letters exchanged between Lucy and Susannah serve as a lifeline, a promise of comfort in their shared solitude.
As we plunge further into Lucy’s psyche, we confront a reality laden with familial expectations and societal judgments. The depiction of her mother, a significant source of alienation for Lucy, adds layers of complexity to her fear of acceptance. Howarth deftly illustrates the conditional love that often afflicts queer youth, making it a pulse of tension throughout the narrative: a powerful exploration of how love should not come with strings attached.
For readers who enjoy stories about young love set against the complexities of identity, I wholeheartedly recommend Sunburn. It’s a beautiful testament to the hush of first love and the cacophony of self-acceptance. This is a story that lingers long after the last page is turned, a note of empathy for anyone wrestling with their identity in a world that might not fully embrace them.
Enter Lucy’s world with a gentle heart, and allow yourself to be swept away by Howarth’s enchanting prose. It’s a reading experience that feels profoundly personal, as if you’ve shared those long, yearning gazes filled with secrets and silent cries for love. So, if you’re seeking a novel that encapsulates the bittersweet nature of love and self-discovery, Sunburn will not disappoint.
And don’t forget, you can dive deeper into the vibe of this heartwarming journey by checking out my Sunburn Spotify playlist here!.