Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer
When I started thinking about how to review Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer I was sort of stumped because in many ways, it defies description. This is a love story about a woman whose husband goes into space. But it is also a story about unlikely childhood friends who develop a love based on the fact that they are the only one the other could imagine letting into their difficult lives. It is also the story of the differences between the expectations that mothers have of what will make their children happy and the reality of what does make them happy. And it is also a science fiction story about the first steps towards colonization of the moon and a social commentary on the false fronts that many people feel they need to put up to interact with society. And still I feel like I must be leaving out some important theme. Although it took me a little while to become emotionally involved in this story of Sunny, a girl who is born bald, and Maxon, a boy who is a genius but has difficulty interacting with humans, once I got hooked into the story I felt both emotionally involved in the characters lives as well as intellectually engaged with some of the larger themes the author was seeking to bring into her story. The only criticism I would have of this book is that the last couple of chapters feel a bit rushed. After the rest of the book has taken time to slowly create detailed portraits of the characters, the conclusion lacked some authenticity that made it seem a bit disconnected from the rest of the story. I would recommend this book to people who like unconventional romances, people who are interested in issues surrounding the treatment and experience of Autism spectrum disorders and people who are interested in stories about the connections between mother's and daughters.
Rated of 5
by Lori L. (La Porte, IN)
Shine, Shine, Shine
Sunny is a woman I would love to know. On the surface she appears to have it all together, but underneath (her wig) she is just as big a mess as the rest of us. This novel deftly and humorously explores the difference between the face we choose to put on for the world and the richer, lunar landscape of the interior self.
Rated of 5
by Laura G. (Buffalo, NY)
A Book filled with Quirky Characters
Shine, Shine, Shine is a fascinating book filled with the unusual. The author uses description to help endear the reader to each of the quirky characters. It was intriguing the way the chapters went from present day to past, giving the reader explanation as to how things came to be as they are. I found it hard to put down because I wanted to see how it all played out.
Rated of 5
by Lydia M. (Lakeview, Oregon)
Worth the extra effort...
I stumbled and stalled initially...asking myself..:What is going on here?" I am not "getting" this..put the book down, pick it back up..then out of the blue..it became clear..a story with explosive clarity. A first novel by this author takes on a subject written about many times...love. This is a book worth the effort, it explores and reveals love as experienced by a mother and wife in a way I have never read before. I was left with no question of the lengths one will go to find their way to what they call home. In a book that at first seems confusing...clarity is the end result. A must read...I look forward to this authors continued writings...
Rated of 5
by Diane W. (Lake Villa, IL)
Well, it does shine!
As others have previously stated, it did take me quite a while---and several stops and starts--- to really grasp the scope and focus of this story and it's rather quirky characters. But, in the end, it really spoke to my heart and made me think well beyond it's finish about the uniqueness of each of us individually, as members of our (sometimes) quirky families, and what holds us together as human beings. Would recommend it....but make sure to give it a chance!
Rated of 5
by Joan P. (Owego, NY)
Shine, Shine, Shine
The lesson learned from this book is things aren't what they seem. Could Sunny have more problems- strange astronaut husband- autistic child- and a mother in a coma? Yet she seemed to be able to handle anything that came her way. Once she began to wear a wig to deny her baldness, she built a world that seemed normal. An accident tore the wig from her head anther facade crumbled and she faced her true self. The premise of the novel is intriguing but I was confused by the flashbacks and wished the ending had been clearer and morer conclusive.
Rated of 5
by Karen M. (Park Falls, WI)
Shine, Shine, Shine by Lydia Netzer
It took me quite a few pages to 'connect' with the characters in this book....the astronaut husband, the bald pregnant wife and their autistic son and also the dying mother BUT after I became involved it became an interesting and unique read.
I do think the author tried to include too many life-changing events. I also do not know who to recommend this book to as I think it will be one of those books that you either love or hate.
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