Wij zijn licht by Gerda Blees (Uitgeverij Podium, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 2020) won the 2021 EU Literature Prize and 2021 Dutch Booksellers Award. Translated by Michele Hutchison to English (World Editions, 2023) titled We Are Light. My thanks to World Editions and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review, with apologies for its tardiness.

We Are Light is an intriguing novel that follows the lives of four Dutch people belonging to a commune called Sound and Love. The four commune members Melodie Van Hellingen, Elisabeth Van Hellingen, Petrus Zwarts and Muriel de Vree believe that music and light transmuted into love plus a minimum of calories are all a human being needs, to transcend. At the novel's opening, Elisabeth is dying. Trigger warnings for eating disorders, imprisonment and death.

The most unique angle of this novel is the variety of different perspectives, not just from the people involved but inanimate objects such as the juicer and musical instruments at the house as well as psychological concepts like cognitive dissonance. Although this approach has been done before eg. [book:When I Sing, Mountains Dance|57693608] by Irene Sola (tr. Mara Lethem), it still translates into a unique reading experience. Some sections work better than others but overall it makes this memorable. I was struck especially by the perspective of daily bread, lamenting that once they were the bulwark of daily nutrition but now are eschewed for being unhealthy carbohydrates. Together they form a chorus of voices and witnesses that inform this case.

The only thing that makes me wary is that the author said in her Acknowledgements and Sources section that this novel was inspired by real life events; namely a woman's death in a commune in central Holland that was publicized. Blees stresses that her novel be read as a fictional work, as she doesn't know what happened nor interviewed the people involved. In other words, it's a fictional rendering of a real life tragedy and I am concerned it may bring pain and unnecessary trauma to the loved ones of the deceased and the survivors.

A fascinating novel that was born from a news article about a suspicious death in a commune in Utrecht, and additional research, and told in an innovative way. 25 narrators, both sentient and not, relate the story of an untimely death in the shared house of a quasi-commune called Sound & Love, which seems made up of well-meaning people, four of them who have been living together for some years, meditating and singing and trying to live on air. Is what happened in this house one night to one of the members a crime or not? How badly wrong can well-meaning people go, how does a commune function when one becomes the de facto leader, what is free will and more. I'm still thinking about the ending.

Not all the narrators are equally compelling - but how can you not love when a narrator is a juicer, cigarettes, bread, the sun, sound, love, etc.

Thanks to World Editions and Netgalley for the ARC.

In Gerda Blees's novel, "We Are Light," the collective isolation of a commune exploring life without food becomes the focus. The story delves into themes of technology reliance, societal conformity, and eating disorders through a murder mystery lens. Narrated by various objects and concepts, including the night, a pen, and the World Wide Web, the novel offers a unique perspective. The commune's gradual decline into extremism and the manipulation by its leader, Melodie, are subtly portrayed. The narrative builds tension, emphasizing the characters' struggles and society's parallels. The novel also addresses anorexia with a thoughtful side character. Set in the Netherlands, the story contemplates assisted suicide in a society that legalized euthanasia. The broader reflections tie the narrative to contemporary issues, such as social media addiction and the cult-like worship of certain ideologies.

Original, inventive and immersive, this unusual novel tells the story of four unlikely companions living together in a small apartment in a commune called Sound and Love. Their leader is Melodie, a manipulative and deeply troubled woman who has managed to persuade the other three that they can live on light, without eating. When one of them dies from malnutrition, however, everything is called into question – but will Melodie gain control again? The book is based on a real life movement called Breatharianism, (this was new to me, and I have now learnt a lot – look it up!) which somehow makes what happens all the more chilling. The story is told from 25 different perspectives as concepts and objects give their take on what is happening, with narrators including the scent of oranges, cognitive dissonance, dementia, a juicer. Which sounds weirder that it actually is, as these differing viewpoints open the narrative out to good effect, and I found this unusual approach thought-provoking indeed. Using the first person plural throughout, Blees takes the novel from the universal to the particular and allows her to explore many issues and themes – family dynamics, eating disorders, mental illness, cults, vulnerability and responsibility. I found the book a compelling, haunting and deeply tragic novel which will long stay with me.

Something in this story just didn't click for me, I enjoyed reading some parts but others felt like a chore, I wonder whether it is because it is translated, potentially something doesn't carry through to english

I thought the story had a strong start and I liked the format, but as the story went on I felt myself losing interest and towards the end I didn't really care anymore, sadly.

unique in its form and powerful in its stance, we are light follows the four members of the sound and light commune, one of which has just starved to death in their shared home. while many authors use themes of religion and faith to criticise, blees does so in a uniquely constructive way. rather than simply highlighting the damage they inflict, exploring the moments that led to each individual to finding hope and home in atypical circumstances and the unfortunate events that proceed.

upon reading the stories blurb, aware and encouraging of elizabeth’s perilous eating habits i saw it unambiguous that melodie, muriel and petros were at least some way at fault for her death. however as i read the stories of the refuge each sought by subscribing to the seemingly ludicrous ideals, the greyness became more apparent. the thin line between looking after and hurting one’s self, the fine line between hope and delusion. the longing for connection and fulfilment, that forces individuals to sircum to pseudo science or faith. rather than judgment, the books voice evokes an empathy for those vulnerable enough to be reeled in by such promises of hope. my initial thoughts abandoned as i felt nothing but compassion for the characters.

reading this at the same time as lay your body down by amy suiter clarke, a strongly biased criticism of religion purely for entertainment value, i especially appreciated the constructive way this book was written and it's thoughtful contributions to the conversation. it is easy to critise, but to invoke empathy and an understanding for those whose values differ from our own, which blees has done with such impact, less so.

Loved this! A masterclass on how to take a fairly straightforward story mostly driven by characters and the dynamics between them, and expand it into something fresh and exciting.

The story begins with a mystery. A woman has died on an airbed in the lounge of a house. We trail the aftermath, considering the what, where, who, why of it, but in a formally inventive way. Each character’s backstory is gently unfolded by a supporting cast of unexpected witnesses. The night, the light, their daily bread, cigarettes smoked, a slow juicer, the dead woman’s extended family, the woman’s dead body. A chorus of perspectives closest to everyone involved but whose voices remain at a distance. It sounds gimmicky but it works, especially as the writer is careful to remain true to what might be authentic for a given entity. Only once or twice, at the more ephemeral sections, would I find myself a little too aware of said plot device and slipping from the story, but was absorbed enough to suspend disbelief for the most part.

I was struck by the perspective of the dead woman’s body, with all the yearning of one who longs for a loving touch, and yet so separate from the self that has now ceased to exist. Especially as the main narrative is so focused on the various characters’ psyches, and so little is actually conveyed about the woman whose life has ended. In fact, so little is actually expressed by any of the characters, with readers left to form an impression of who these characters are and why they are the way they are. But the impressions of what goes into narcissistic abuse and toxic dynamics within a cult made themselves felt. The Sound and Love ‘commune’ they were a part of became embodied in in these individual elements of Sound and Love. These abstract perspectives were initially hardest for me to buy into when vocalised, but later on I came to think that these notions represented the very heart of the story.

I also quite liked how it felt like the writer was having fun with the writing process, toying with the power of suggestion to impose a more exciting narrative onto what is otherwise fairly clear-cut. The final chapter dripped with tension and I found myself gripped alongside the character’s inner turmoil, will she or won’t she, despite it being quite an outwardly unassuming moment.

Love when an author is willing to take risks and have fun with their work. This reader thought it definitely paid off. Will be interested to read more from her! Kudos to translator Michele Hutchison too for such a smooth translation! I imagine it would’ve been quite the feat to translate the nuances of such a finely wrought story where the details speak volumes!

I LOVE THIS PERFECT BOOK!!!! My bookstore has chosen this as our August 2023 book club pick and I'm thrilled. Told from 25 mostly very abstract perspectives without even a hint of gimmick. To be so sure nothing was lost in translation... a work of art. TRUE literature. 10/10, 5 stars, two thumbs up, absolutely incredible. World Editions has done it again.

Gerda Blees weaves a captivating tale about individuals grappling with the void in their lives. Through deliberate acts of deprivation, whether it be forgoing food or material possessions, they attempt to reclaim a sense of control in the face of helplessness. Yet, as their self-imposed sacrifices reveal their inherent fragility, their pursuit of abstinence becomes increasingly absurd.

Muriel, Petrus, Melodie, and Elisabeth fall prey to unscrupulous 'saviors' who preach salvation at a steep price: Believe fervently, with the right mindset and disciplined self-control, and you can survive without sustenance, sustained solely by light. As the members of this small community waste away, they stubbornly perceive their emaciation not as evidence of deception, but as a testament to their own inadequacies, leading to a tragic outcome.

The book delves into themes of isolation, manipulation, and the eternal quest for meaning. What sets it apart as an exceptional reading experience is the ingenious and surprising narrative: a chorus of multiple voices that gives expression not only to humans, but also to various entities, objects, and even abstract concepts. This ranges from the highly exalted to the mundane: Night, sound and love all find their voice, but so do the crime scene, a juicer, and two cigarettes.

Gerda Blees skillfully crafts characters who have little left to offer, their strength depleted in every aspect of their lives. The depth of their thoughts and emotions is more hinted at than explicitly captured, yet they emerge as richly developed and multifaceted personalities.

The writing style is a delight: sophisticated, creative, captivating, and clear – truly one of a kind. This cleverly staged drama leaves a subtle yet profound impact, making it a remarkable debut!

With a woman literally starving to death while her roommates basically watch it happen, this sets the tone for this amazing novel. Written from many points of view, the question of her place in the commune is challenged as is the reason for her death. Thought provoking writing.

We Are Light, Gerda Blees’s debut novel, won the EU Literature Prize as well as the prestigious Dutch Booksellers Award in 2021. It was also shortlisted for the Libris Literature Award. But unfortunately it has not found an audience with American readers. This is a short book with chapters narrated by the people and objects at the acene of a problematic death. What happened? Who is responsible? Are there limits on following an ideal? Please search it out and read it and make your own assessment.

🔆 REVIEW 🔆

We Are Light by Gerda Blees (translated from Dutch by Michele Hutchison)
Released: 1st August 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Melodie, Muriel, Petrus and Elisabeth form Sound and Love Commune, a small group that have removed themselves from society to live in a way that focuses on nourishing themselves with light rather than food. However, when Elisabeth dies and the police have suspicions about whether the group may be responsible and both the group and their practices are put under the microscope.

This is a completely uniquely written book, with each chapter told from the perspective of an inanimate object or feeling or even a scent. Within these scenes, we are given an insight into a particular moment in time, and develop an understanding of the characters in front of us, and how the group has managed to get to this point. Each character is grappling with their own thoughts and doubts as they are investigated by two police officers who have very little comprehension of how people could choose to live in such a way. Blees’ writing is so intricate, and despite chapters being told from such strange perspectives, you still feel as if you can understand the characters all throughout. One I definitely recommend to anyone who likes a mysterious, reflective book full of flawed characters.

Thank you to @netgalley and @worldedbooks for the e-ARC!

I loved this book! The story is told from various - totally unexpected - viewers of how life in a commune deteriorates, and problems keep on going unsolved until one of them dies. The author is able to write about many difficult issues such as anorexia, cult following, the need of belonging and identifying, the horror that sometimes the internet places upon vulnerable people, and most important of all, how relationships affect the way we behave and think.
I thank Ms. Blees, her publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Good story - it almost seems based on Paul MacKenzie (Kenyan cult leader) who encouraged starvation among members.

Perhaps there was some translation issues, but I felt like it was missing something, heart/soul....something.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Living in NL, I’m always keen to read pick up more Dutch literature but it was the premise of this novel that had me fascinated: a death, by starvation, in a comune sparks an police investigation and an exploration of the powers of control and coercion in a cultish practice.

The circumstances in which Elisabeth van Helling dies are suspicious to the out-of-hours doctor and to the coroner - as a result her flatmates and fellow members of the Sound & Love commune are detained by the police for a couple of days.

When in police custody, the members of the comune are isolated but Muriel and Petrus are also (partially) free from the leader of the comune Melodie (Elisabeth’s younger sister) and a period of self-confrontation and rethinking occurs.

This novel is a very compulsive read, even those only mildly interested in cults and comunes, but what really struck me about this novel is that the perspectives it takes are extremely fresh and inventive. Despite each chapter being from a different perspective, Blees demonstrates extremely skill in that the narrative does not feel disjointed but rather the exploration of the insidious nature of the cult and of Melodie’s power unfolds naturally. Among chapters from slightly more canonical perspectives there are also chapters written from white pre-sliced bread, from the facts, from the scent of oranges, from doubts, from a cello, from dementia, from cognitive dissonance.

Thank you to NetGalley and World Editions for the eArc! With the UK edition coming out on August 1st it is a fantastic way to start #WITMonth!

Content warning: Elisabeth’s cause of death is malnutrition from starvation. I’d advise a perspective reader to check out trigger warnings if sensitive to topics dealing with disordered eating and eating disorders.

A really strange and original story in the telling, of a groups of people living together and following the belief that they can live on light and fulfilment without the need for food.

Melodie lives with her sister Elisabeth and friends Muriel and Petrus, who believe or don't in the path Melodie has them on to spiritual enlightenment. The story starts when Elisabeth dies and the authorities get involved, taking the other three into custody while they investigate the unexplained death.

Each chapter is told from a different perspective, which builds up layers of understanding and helps put together a complete picture. Some of the narrative devices are really obscure, one chapter is told by a pair of cigarettes, another by a pen, but it all holds together and makes for a mesmerising read. The ambiguous ending is just perfect.

Just a bit more political than i like from my fiction. It felt front loaded and couldn’t maintain momentum. I appreciated that it wasn’t too long. Interesting just not for me.

Translated by Michele Hutchinson, We Are Light (2023) is a literary fiction tale by Dutch author, Gerda Blees. The lyrical narrative starts each chapter with the voice of an inanimate entity like bread, truth and oranges. It begins with the elder of two sisters dying, as the others watch her passing and rejoice in its beauty. However, the coroner is called in when the attending physician is concerned it may not be a natural death given the undernourished body. The unconventional lives of the four elderly people are gradually revealed as they live on light and air. Its unusual narrative style adds a surreal element that is an engaging four stars read rating. With thanks to World Editions and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

thank you for the arc🫶🏽
check out my goodreads review !
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5686649539