A tough book but a rewarding one

 

5 stars

Following on the heels of The Lamplighters was never going to be an easy feat but, I think, The Sunshine Man is a worthy contender. A very different book set in the 80s, Birdie gets the call she's been waiting for. Jimmy Macguire, the man who killed her sister, is being released from prison. This sets in motion her quest for revenge. But, as tense and gripping as this is, it is more the story of their previous lives and how they got to where they are now.

Neither of these characters had an easy time growing up. Birdie was dropped at her grandmother's house to be raised without a mother and Jimmy was the odd one in a family of ne'er do wells. Life was not kind to either but then Birdie's mum drops off another baby to be raised by Gamma. Providence grows to be a wonderful little girl and one both Birdie and Jimmy love above all others. Though she doesn't have the power to make them like each other.

This is a powerful story and one that is hard to read at times. The narration is taken in turns between Birdie and Jimmy and there's plenty to make one think about life and making the most of the few opportunities made available. I was touched by this and felt empathy for both characters. It's not clear cut as to who is right and who is wrong. There's more nuance and shades of gray. As the tension builds and Birdie draws nearer to her vengeance, I felt real trepidation and and concern for them both. It was handled exceptionally well with a delicate touch. Great drama, excellent pace and tension, fully fleshed out characters the reader feels they know. A tough book but a rewarding one.