Days of Light is a beautiful written novel from the opening moments when we meet Ivy languidly living her life a teenager admits her family.The shocking incident had me gasping out loud.We follow Ivy through the rest of her life from girlhood to old age.So lyrical so moving just loved this story.#netgalley #groveatlantic

It might be too on the nose to describe Days of Light as luminous, but there is no better word to describe this quietly exquisite novel. In the first section of the book, Hunter lulls readers into a sense of complacency with a story that feels classic and familiar, but as Ivy's story evolves across the decades, the book makes turn after turn that feel both surprising and inevitable. I loved every page.

🌅 Book Review - Days of Light by Megan Hunter 🌅

Days of Light begins on Easter Sunday in 1938, where 19-year old Ivy and her bohemian family gather to celebrate the holiday in their sprawling English countryside house. But the day ends in tragedy, and the rest of the novel follows Ivy over the same day in six different episodes throughout her life, as she tries to deal with her guilt.

The novel is an interior landscape of Ivy, as she moves throughout her life, and deals with themes of religion and God, love, spirituality, the afterlife, art, but especially the notion of belonging and meaning.

The writing is very literary and poetic, and Hunter provides a rich interior character landscape.
I absolutely saw this as a movie, and think it would be such a great film due to the richness of the character study, especially Marina, Ivy's mother.

If you want something literary and more on the character-driven over plot-driven side of things, this is a great book!

This is a beautifully written book set over six pivotal days in Ivy’s life. It’s set over a period of sixty years from 1938 to 1999, with a chapter for each of those crucial days in her life. Somehow the author very cleverly manages to capture Ivy’s entire life in those six chapters. The book drew me in from the very start and I was invested in Ivy throughout, wanting to find out how her life would play out. This is a gem of a book and I’ll be very surprised if this doesn’t make this year’s Booker Prize list.

Beautifully written prose. Her imagery had me in the beginning, but the slowness lost me in the end. Not my cup of tea but I could see how others may enjoy it.

The narrative unfolds over six pivotal days spanning six decades, each chapter capturing a significant moment in the life of Ivy, a woman whose journey is shaped by an a tragic event that happens on Easter Sunday in 1938, during a family gathering. It sets a course for her, leading her through the tumult of World War II and into the evolving landscapes of the 20th century.​

Her prose here is vivid, and I know it’s been compared to Virginia Woolf and Katherine Mansfield - high praise! I can see what they mean, even if I don’t quite agree the novel reaches such heights.

But it does have a sensual and philosophical depth, exploring art, desire, and faith against the backdrop of a changing England. The structure of the novel, with each chapter focusing on a single day, allows for a profound examination of how fleeting moments can unravel and redefine a life.​

The novel's exploration of spirituality and the vulnerability of its protagonist, Ivy, adds emotional depth to the narrative. The sense of time and place is richly realized, effectively capturing the essence of each era.​

Days of Light is a beautifully written book, a reflection on the moments that shape our lives. Recommend.

Six days in Ivy's life, told over 60 years. We start with a pivotal day of her youth, a tragedy that follows her across the decades.
It's hard to review this book because I just finished it and it's already left no impression. The first chapter had promise, and i was intrigued to see how the interesting structure would build on it. But, despite some beautiful writing, I was not grabbed by the characters or the story. Ivy left me cold.
I liked the writing enough that I still intend to go back to some of the author's previous work. maybe the speculative plots will grab me more.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Historical Fiction

This novel follows the life of the main protagonist, Ivy, in six important days of her life across six decades. The story begins in 1938, in the English countryside, when Ivy was 19 years old, and continues until 1999, during Easter, as she nears the end of her life.

The story is set against many backdrops, like World War II and how England as a country has gone through changes. Ivy herself goes through many changes during those years, such as marrying Bear, later getting a divorce, and then retiring to a convent in 1965. These events make her evaluate her past choices.

Days of Light is a well-written novel with a unique structure that could make an intriguing movie. The author’s lyrical prose is elegant and fits the themes of the story. There are many themes here because the character goes through all the different stages of life. Themes like love, loss, faith, separation, and self-discovery are a few examples.

The author transports readers through different atmospheres and various settings, including the English countryside, the war, and the serene lifestyle of a convent. This setting creates a richly atmospheric experience. Although the pacing feels slow at times, it aligns well with the themes. Overall, Days of Light is a beautiful novel with its merits and imperfections, but the experience of reading it is ultimately rewarding.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

'Days of Light' is a language-forward, deeply contemplative novel, led by its main protagonist Ivy. Ivy takes readers through time in the form of six pivotal days in her life, the first day serving as the foundation for the following five. Though a slower paced novel and perhaps a bit confusing in the beginning, Ivy's mind is an intriguing exploration of identity, love, and faith.
The relationships in this story were so wonderfully complex, even the seemingly 'shallow' one Ivy pursued in her search for a solid love after letting another love slip through her fingers.
The initial star is Megan Hunter's writing-- so many points throughout reading I could only describe it as 'ethereal'. That being said, this novel may not be for everyone with its slower pace, particularly at the beginning, which reflects Ivy's burgeoning-though-naive mind.

This book was unfortunately not for me. I was intrigued by the premise and the cover is gorgeous. But as I was reading it I found myself thinking about my shopping list for that week and other non related topics. Maybe I just read it at the wrong time - but I didn't feel connected to the characters and found the writing style quite slow to get through.

I wouldn't say that this is a bad book by any means, and I really liked some of the descriptive language used. I could see the scenes unfold in my head. I think for someone else this might be a five star - but for me it was just a bit underwhelming.

A beautifully written story with a lot of characters I wanted to know more about! The way the spaces, both internal and external, were built were beautiful and full. Interesting choice of having speech in italics, I’d like to know why but i wonder if it’s to do with how everything is so internal to Ivy? I got slightly confused by it every now and then but not too much! It’s a delicate read and the first section was so interesting with the writing style and capturing of nature and Ivy’s emotions. I loved the Frances and Ivy moments, I spent the first half of the book hoping we'd get more of them and I'm so glad we did. The storm section was beautiful, and the rooftop, and just the way Megan Hunter writes it all!

Although Days of Light is a novel of human relationships the phrase seems too cold for this kaleidoscope of emotions in an artistic family in which Ivy, lacking the gifts which surround her in a family of achievers seeks ordinariness. That she is not ordinary is at once her downfall and her power. She is the second child of Marina and Gilbert. Joseph her brother, is both her beloved and her uneasy beacon. Ivy is the beloved of none, a figure who is at once lit with possibilities that are hidden from her family, and a piece of grit as those around her paint and exhibit, write and overtly love in an atmosphere of unconventional but accepted relationships in the family home.

It is here at Cressingdon that on Easter Sunday the family awaits the late arrival of Frances, Joseph’s love, while consuming an ill cooked meal in an atmosphere fraught by their wish to be elsewhere. For the artists it is the lure of canvas or paper and pen, for Ivy it is the discomfort of being with her family. Only Anne, housekeeper, support, and comfort appears at ease. Her acceptance is at odds with the demands of the family for acknowledgement of their creativity and acceptance of their lifestyles.

Tragedy ends the Easter Sunday gathering, and it is tragedy that changes Ivy’s trajectory through life from nineteen to when she is well into her old age. Or is it? Is Ivy, the one who sees light and seeks mystery a person who controls her own life, tragedies either being of her making or a welcome intervention? Death, enemy buzz bomb attack, and loss of a love demand her attention and reaction. Ivy’s life is apportioned to days - Day One Easter Sunday 1938, Day Two April 1938, Day Three April 1944, Day Four April 1956, Day Five April 1965, Day Six Easter Sunday 1999, with brief recall of the past and her responses to love, now in her old age she knows to be her calling.

The lyrical writing, the kaleidoscope of light, events, feelings, and gradual movement towards Ivy’s self-knowledge is a blend of delight. This is the first of Megan Hunter’s books I have read and finishing it, immediately wanted more.

3.5
This is an atmospheric book, enveloping the reader in six important days in the life of the protagonist, beginning just before WWII and ending in the 1990’s. The scene is reminiscent of Bloomsbury, and the writing, at times, approaches Woolf, in that this is a very interior kind of narrative. However, despite enjoying the arc of the story, the observations of living through grief and the impacts that has on one’s choices, I didn’t really connect with the characters despite finding several of them Interesting and/or appealing. I viewed them all at a distance; none of them brought me in.

This is a lovely novel by a talented author. I especially admire the structure as the narrative “checks in” on Ivy on six different April days across the decades.

The pace is contemplative and a bit leisurely; this did not bother me, but I understand some readers are looking for a bit more action. There were enough surprising plot developments to retain my interest, and the writing is strong.

Ivy is a captivating protagonist. Her journey is subtle but oh so relatable.

Highly recommended for fans of literary fiction.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

4⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

a true delight to read, the writing flows effortlessly & the characters are well-developed & beautiful. well worth a read

I dove into this book and found myself buoyed by the depth of imagery written in each sentence. It took a bit getting used to, what I have heard called purple prose, but ended up not mired down, but lifted by it. I could see myself as a voyeur to love, loss, and redemption in this solid story, told with care and precision. Ivy, Joseph, Frances, and the rest of the gallery of characters were unique and intriguing. The relationship with Bear had me worried at first, but realizing that Ivy was old enough settled my fears. Well written and filled with depth and soul, I recommend Days of Light and feel blessed to have had a chance to read it. I will re-read in the future, something I rarely do, as it’s that good.

Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for this ARC!!

'Days of Light' is a novel following Ivy from Easter in 1938 and again around the same time in 1944, 1956, 1965, and 1999. An event that takes place on Easter in 38' that impacts her for years to come kicks off the novel. As the years go on, Ivy struggles with grief, love, spirituality, and understanding who she is.
Hunter's writing is easy and pretty, which I think many can enjoy and appreciate. I understand the decision to structure the narrative by following Ivy through days from multiple years, but because of that decision, it was difficult for me to pinpoint exactly who Ivy was as a character. I really wished that we got to see more of Ivy and a certain character (iykyk) and their dynamic.

Grateful to #NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC.

This novel follows Ivy through her journey from young womanhood into old age through six days over the course of her life.

The writing is absolutely beautiful and the characterization is incredible - this is a masterful example of the author showing, not telling, how Ivy has matured and how love and loss and life have reshaped her outlook. This is the type of book that sticks with you long after you have put it down and I expect that this novel will (deservingly!) be on many prize lists this year. 4.25/5 stars

I will read anything Megan Hunter writes. The Harpy and The End We Start From are two recent favorites, and Hunter’s latest, Days of Light, is another fantastic novel.

At the center of Days of Light, we have Ivy, whom we first meet as a teenager in pre-WW2 England. A child of bohemian artists, with little direction, she stumbles into a questionable relationship with an older man. After a life-changing incident, we follow Ivy across the next six decades of her life, and the fallout of said incident.

Oh my word, I love Ivy so much. Harper has created an incredibly special character here. I raced through the novel, desperately hoping for a happy ending. No spoilers, but I wept so much when I finished reading.

Hunter effectively captured the nuances of each decade, and the (albeit gradual) increased rights for women. I also enjoyed how Ivy’s confidence subtly increased in each chapter, as she became more self-assured.

I am so impressed by Days of Light. It’s my favorite Hunter novel, and that is high praise. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.

Days of Light didn’t quite resonate with me, even though literary fiction is one of my favorite genres, and the writing itself is solid. Unfortunately, the plot didn't pull me in, and I found myself disengaged most of the time. The pacing was slower than I prefer, and I struggled to connect with the direction of the story. I had to stop around the 25% mark, when the story was just too weird for my taste. Since I didn’t finish the book, I feel it wouldn’t be fair to leave a rating, but netgalley doesn't allow me to post this without one. I wanted to share my experience, as I felt that something about the story didn’t click for me, but I can see how others who enjoy slow-paced, character-driven stories might appreciate this one.