I started this book slowly, enjoying the unfolding of the story much as it’s told, easing in and discovering. It’s tender, melancholy at times, bittersweet in others. About halfway through, my mother died unexpectedly. It was a stunning loss, crippling me emotionally, physically. It took a few weeks before I could pick up this story again - and when I did I found it nurturing me instead of leaving me gutted. It’s so beautiful, and beautifully written. No false promises, no easy answers. Just being, understanding and love. It’s taken me now a while to write this review. This story will always be a part of my own, and writing this I feel the loss.

Okay, I’m sure why I requested this. Maybe because of the title and the cover. But I couldn't finish it. This book seems like a nicely composed, but dull everyday diary entry. There's no vivid descriptions as I expected (for some reason), just a monotonous soliloquy. Also, the dialogues (minimal though) without quotation marks were a little disturbing.
Thank you for the copy. Sorry it didn't work for me.

I requested this arc on netgalley with the knowledge of it being a book about a mother-daughter relationship. I feel like with novels like these you can either do a deep dive into the complex relationship or choose to leave a lot in the unsaid and I’m afraid this one did neither.

I wouldn’t say that this is a bad book but i just felt like it missed any depth. The majority of this book is about the daughter sitting in her college dorm skyping with her mom but their conversations are very superficial. Nothing really interesting happens in either of their lives that could’ve spiced up the dialogue. Any relations with her friends there feel very dry and none of the characters are very interesting. I think this has potential and usually I love a character study but then the character does actually need to have some character. This all felt very bland to me, sorry:(

I absolutely loved this. Coming from a Latino household, I absolutely get her inner struggles and the overall new found world she's discovering. One of the most touching? not sure if that was the right word, was the code switch or rather language switch she had to do to her roommate while on the face chat call with her mother. It's just such a relatable book and I adored it.

Blue Light Hours is a novel about a young girl who moves from Brazil to the United States to attend university. Back home, her mother experiences a feeling of abandonment and loneliness, simultaneously feeling proud of her daughter's accomplishments. They connect through Skype calls and texts and update each other on their daily lives and new experiences or feelings. The novel explores their mother-daughter relationship, loneliness, and the guilt of leaving someone behind while trying to adapt to a new place.

This debut novel by Bruna Dantas Lobato uses meditative prose to reflect on the characters through glimpses of their lives.

Thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and the author for this ARC.

Thanks NetGalley for my copy. I don’t enjoy giving bad reviews but this booked me to tears. The writing style left much to be desired and really there was no story. It was more a diary and a boring one at that. I would not recommend this book. Sorry

Let me start with the biggest thank you ever to Bruna for sending me an electronic copy of her book after I found out there currently aren’t plans for it to be published in the UK (I might have perished if I hadn’t been able to read this book!)

Blue Light Hours described EXACTLY how it feels to be an immigrant, a child of immigrants, and to miss those we hold so dear to our hearts, but have to live so far away from, for whatever reason. Speaking for myself, I haven’t hugged my mom since January 2023, and before that I hadn’t hugged her since January 2020. It’s the hardest thing in the world - and Bruna wrote about that pain in the most lyrical and heart wrenching way possible.

This book now holds a special place in my heart and I’m ever thankful to Bruna for writing it 💙

This was the first book I've read by this author, and I must say, I absolutely loved it! I couldn't put it down from the first page. I really enjoy these types of books; they bring me so much happiness.

The story revolves around a daughter who leaves her mother in Brazil to study in the United States. Both feeling the sting of separation, they try to bridge the distance by connecting over Skype, sharing even the most mundane details of their daily lives. In the United States, the daughter makes friends, works, and studies hard, but she can't afford to visit her mother back at home. This novel explores themes of loneliness, self-discovery, independence, adapting to new cultures, leaving beloved things behind, and moving forward. This book truly offers a full spectrum of emotions.

I was particularly captivated by the author's writing style, which had a poetic touch that resonated deeply with me. Giving this one 4,5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Bruna Dantas Lobato for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blue Light Hours will be out on October, 15.

Skype, Sorrow, and the Sublime: Blue Light Hours Sheds Light on the Reality of Longing

What started as a light and fast paced read became way to personal and uncomfortable (in a heartfelt way) for me. Blue Light Hours is a lovely novella about the loneliness of adulthood and the familial ties between a mother and her daughter who stay in different countries and only communicate through skype.

The feeling of longing and abandonment and how we are forced to cope with them is felt through out the book. while the narrative may lack the complex characteristic flair but @bdantaslobato just went and said ‘it is what it is’ because really, aren’t the most rawest of emotion plainly just…felt?

For a person who is used to romanticizing almost everything, this book did its job in placing my feet firmly on the ground and sit with the big little things that were not narrated but said between the lines.

Blue Light Hours comes out in October 2024! Whether you're in need of a swift pick-me-up or searching for the perfect present, this novella is your go-to remedy for both quick reads and heartfelt gestures.

Thank you grove atlantic and net galley for this e-arc.

BLUE LIGHT HOURS by Bruna Dantas Lobato explores the relationship between a young woman who came to the U.S. to study in a university and her mother who was left behind in Brazil. It is a short book in three parts: the first part is from the daughter's perspective, the second part is from the mother's, and the third part is about their reunion. It was told in a series of vignettes - of daily routines (in two separate countries); of Skype calls and text messages that are usually about the weather and the changing of seasons; about sleeping in and not sleeping enough; about dorm room furniture and what was eaten for breakfast, and what current mess a distant aunt had gotten herself in now - indicating the increasing distance and the constant changes that two people would have to learn how to navigate in, on their own and together.

I'm a huge sucker for books like this; I will never find them boring. There were no big family secrets revealed. No sudden outbursts of emotions, no dramatic fights. Instead, the focus was on the distance between a mother and her daughter, and their attempts to bridge (and sometimes, to respect) that gap that really tugged at my heartstrings. This book was instantly propelled to one of my favorites in 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Published by Grove Press.

#NetGalley #BlueLightHours #BrunaDantasLobato #GrovePress #GroveAtlantic

This novel portrays the story of a mother in Brazil and her daughter in the USA, who rely on Skype to communicate, share updates, and comfort each other. Despite being miles apart, they share a deep sense of loneliness in their struggles to adapt to their new lives. The author beautifully captures the feeling of longing and frustration that comes with seeing loved ones only through a screen. Although the characters may not be as fleshed out as I might have preferred, the writing style is simple yet powerful, evoking a sense of nostalgia that is hard to resist. If you're looking for a quick yet meaningful read that delves into the complexities of human connection, this novel is definitely worth your time! 🤍

PUBLICATION DATE:
15th of October, 2024

*Thank you NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and the author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Blue Light Hours is very sweet. It's a simple novella about a Brazilian woman going to college in Vermont, following her and her mother through their frequent Skype calls. Well-written and brief, this is best for recommended for anyone who misses their mother, has experienced the loneliness of being abroad, or wants an easy, cozy story. Despite some plot points being sad, the book is heartwarming overall.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the e-arc.

4 stars — thank you, netgalley, grove atlantic, and bruna dantas lobato for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
what started as a light-hearted read became way too personal and heartfelt for me. as someone who also left home to move in another country, i deeply resonated with the daughter and mother's relationship, watching each other's lives through their glowing screens. so, the first thing that i did as soon as i finished this novel was calling my mother from across the world.

it is scary and exciting at the same time to be on your own and leave miles away from home, yet it feels lonely because you also left people and parts of you in that place. you left your past life and now embarking towards on a new journey in which soon enough, you'll create new memories, meet new people, as well as think of a possible future for yourself. and finally, you will experience a sense of belonging. however, when you realize at the end of the day, there is nothing quite like a mother's embrace to make you feel at home.

i think this novel left a haunting impact on me. no one talks about how lonely it is when you communicate through the screens of your computer. it feels like you're there but never fully there or you can see them but can never hold each other. it is frustrating and it demands the feeling of sadness. i think this novel fully encapsulates the feeling of yearning and loneliness that accompanies us when we miss our loved ones. the riveting writing can also make you feel the sense of nostalgia and deep longingness of wanting your mother by your side.

what a beautiful novel debut by bruna dantas lobato. this will be out on october 15, 2024, so i hope everyone reads this once it is published. ♡

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“The Blue Light Hours” by Bruna Dantas Lobato is a poignant exploration of the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, distance, and the immigrant experience. The novel unfolds through the lens of a young Brazilian woman’s first year in America, juxtaposed with her mother’s life back in northeastern Brazil. Their story is a tapestry of Skype calls that bridge the four-thousand-mile gap with a fragile thread of connection.

Lobato’s prose is atmospheric and wise, capturing the essence of longing and belonging with a deft touch. The blue light of their screens becomes a symbol of both separation and togetherness, illuminating the new rituals and forms of caretaking that emerge in the digital space. As the daughter navigates the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language, the mother grapples with her health and the fear of her daughter’s potential permanent absence.

The narrative is a meditation on the sacrifices and freedoms inherent in the act of leaving one’s home to create another. It’s a story that resonates with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet tug-of-war between the past and the future, between holding close and letting go.

Lobato, a National Book Award-winning translator, brings her linguistic prowess to the novel, painting a tender and dynamic portrait of the characters’ inner lives. “The Blue Light Hours” is a testament to the resilience of love across distances and the enduring bond that can withstand the coldest of winters, promising the hope of spring.

This debut novel is a must-read, offering a profound look at the human condition through the intimate lens of familial bonds stretched across continents.

Thank you Grove Atlantic for the ARC which I used for an honest review. I wrote about this book in a Most Anticipated list for Michigan Quarterly Review. Here is what I wrote:

This is one to read with pause: pause to re-read a sentence out loud or underline, to absorb the gorgeous writing. And also pause for tissues. Bruna Dantas Lobato’s writing is delicate, careful, meticulously crafted. I wasn’t surprised to learn Dantas Lobato took up a hobby as a miniaturist. Also fittingly, she is a National Book Award winning translator. This is writing that is masterful at recognizing the full resonance and beauty of words, the small moments, and the moments in between, and allows each sentence the space to reach a reader deeply. It will be out in October, but you can take a glimpse of the main characters in this moving story in the New Yorker.

Blue Light Hours feels like it’ll stick with me forever. With its beautiful writing and deep sense of longing, it dives into the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships, the quest for independence, the weight of academic expectations, the march of time, and carrying around the feeling of familial guilt.

I've been bouncing between living so far away from my mum for over three years now, and it hits close to home. Plus, being on the other side of the world from my grandmothers since I was young gives me that same energy.

Lobato's book isn't just deep and heartbreaking—it's like a warm hug, capturing the messy beauty of family ties even when miles apart.

“I felt like I would never stop anticipating my own arrival, waiting for the moment when I’d finally feel at home”

Thankyou Netgalley and Grove Press for an ARC copy of this beautiful book, i can’t wait for it to be published so i can buy a physical copy and have it on my shelf

The first part of this book felt cosy and welcoming. As someone who also left their country to travel across the world, I could relate a lot to the main character. Whilst my relationship with my mother is not as beautiful as this, I felt myself connecting to the characters and longing for that connection with my own mother.

I didn’t particularly like the way the second part shifted to the mother’s perspective whilst referring to them as mother and daughter. It felt like that was all they were, and did not have lives outside of one another. Overall, this was a pleasant quick read

This book perfectly captured the challenges of moving away and the intertwined feelings of relief and guilt.
It both made me miss my mother and made me glad that I had the chance to move away and to grow up and build a life of my own

It was really beautifully written

I absolutely love this *beautiful* slim novel by Brazilian Bruna Dantas Lobato.
This book teaches about a mother’s/daughter love for each with emotional integrity that strikes me to the core.
At only 192 pages - it’s a page-turning testimony to the power of love.

Daughter was from Brazil. She grew up in Natal….an area of Brazil known for gorgeous beaches, dunes, lagoons, and coconut trees
She received a full ride international scholarship to a small college in Vermont…..where she was going to not only experience differences in the weather and environment but also cultural differences in various beliefs, behaviors, language, uncertainty, loneliness, as well as her grappling feelings of belonging as a foreigner.
It was actually disturbing to Daughter at first that she ‘did’ feel comfort in Vermont. She felt she belonged in spite of her foreignness. Her classmates and professors told her she was smart, a great writer, and eloquent nonnative speaker in English.
Daughter was actually adjusting to campus life, studying, classes, a few new friends and social life quite well.
However….
……Daughter missed her mother terribly and worried about her. Mother also missed her daughter terribly. They worried about each other!
With the daughters blue desk lamp, the mothers blue couch, and the blue feelings they both shared from missing each other, Skype became the vehicle that supported their relationship.

“Blue Light Hours” is perfectly symbolically titled.
……divided into three uneven sections:
Daughter, Mother, Reunion.

Love, longing, development of independence for both daughter and mother took my breath away…..

And …..
As a mother of two daughters myself ….(both live far away) … I’d cherish the quality conversations that daughter&mother shared ….

There was a precious hilarious Skype chat involving them both drinking together. PRICELESS!

A few sample excerpts:
“Christmas morning, New Year’s, the beginning of the spring semester came and went with me on Skype with my mother. She lost her balance getting off the couch, her ears buzzed, her head hurt, her heart raced, her dizziness made her nauseous. The Earth shifted under her and her body was unable to catch up. We didn’t have a name for it yet, and had no idea how long these new symptoms would last”.

“Unhappiness demands more of our attention than happiness, we reasoned, it makes us appreciate slow, calm days”.

“I wanted to call my mother and show her how I’d be okay and safe—look at these houses, look how much hope I have for the future, how much hope I have for my life in this country, despite the odds. But there are certain things it’s wiser to keep to oneself, certain kinds of happiness that are worth protecting, even from loved ones”.

Mother:
“I’ve been trying to reach you. Where have you been? Let’s hope you don’t take after your father and disappear on me”.
Daughter:
“I’m right here, I haven’t gone anywhere, just catching up on sleep. What about you?

LOVE!!!!!!
5 stars!!!!!

This is a haunting, beautiful book. If you’re looking for action, this won’t be your cup of tea. It’s all about the long-distance relationship of a mother-daughter couple.