Days of Light

Days of Light cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technical
  • ID: 3655
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781529010176
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2025-04-17
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

Days of Light is a sweeping, gorgeous story that takes inspiration from the influential Bloomsbury Group. Set in the idyllic Sussex countryside, the novel begins on Easter Sunday, 1938, with Ivy, a nineteen-year-old ready for her life to begin. The story unfolds through six pivotal days across six decades, moving through the Second World War and the twentieth century. Ivy's journey is one of love, loss, and the pursuit of an answer to life's profound questions. The novel is praised for its lyrical prose and emotional depth, making it a captivating read for fans of literary fiction. The novel is compared to works like Mothering Sunday and The Hours, offering a radiant journey through a life lived in pursuit of love. It is a story that explores the complexities of human relationships and the enduring search for meaning. With its beautiful prose and emotional resonance, Days of Light is a novel that stays with readers long after the last page is turned.

Reviews
Chicago Review of Books · 2025-06-16
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel explores themes of art, love, loss, and faith through the lens of a woman's unconventional life. The protagonist's obsession with light drives her choices throughout the story.

This reviewer highlights the novel's deep exploration of complex themes such as art, love, loss, and faith. They particularly appreciated how the protagonist's obsession with light, seen during her brother's death, shapes her decisions and the narrative. The setting in 20th-century England adds depth to the story, making it a rich and thought-provoking read. The reviewer found the character's journey both compelling and emotionally resonant.


Quick quotes

    This book grapples with many things, but Ivy's obsession with the light she saw when her brother died fuels her choices all throughout the book.

    The novel offers a meandering exploration of art, love, loss and faith, all painted against the backdrop of 20th-century England.

    The setting in 20th-century England adds depth to the story, making it a rich and thought-provoking read.

A Life in Books · 2025-04-18
innovative 4.50

The novel's structure and unconventional narrative make it a unique and satisfying read. Some readers may find it unsatisfying, but the reviewer loved its innovative approach.

This reviewer found the novel's structure to be one of its strongest points, making it a unique and satisfying read. They appreciated the unconventional narrative style, which they felt suited the story well. While acknowledging that some readers might find the book unsatisfying, they personally loved its innovative approach and the way it unfolded. The reviewer highlighted the beauty of the writing and the absorbing nature of the story, making it a perfect read for a long weekend.


Quick quotes

    Looking at pre-publication reviews, I see that some readers found Hunter's novel unsatisfying, but I loved it.

    The structure suited it perfectly, making it a unique and satisfying read.

    This was the perfect novel to read over the recent long Easter weekend because not only is it beautifully written and utterly absorbing but...

The Guardian · 2025-04-17
engaging 3.50

The early parts of the novel are vividly immersive, bringing to life the world of 1930s bohemian privilege. The narrative, however, loses some steam as it progresses.

This reviewer found the early sections of the book particularly engaging, with a richly detailed portrayal of the bohemian lifestyle in the 1930s. The character development and setting were praised for their vividness. However, they felt the story became less compelling as it moved forward, with some parts feeling drawn out or less impactful. Despite this, the novel's exploration of art, love, and loss against a historical backdrop was appreciated.


Quick quotes

    The early parts of the novel are a vividly immersive delight.

    The world of 1930s bohemian privilege is well-trodden literary ground, but Hunter brings a fresh perspective.

    The narrative loses some of its initial momentum as the story progresses.