Noah and Jude was both an artist, I really loved them because they made me want to be more involved in art despite the fact that I’m not the artsy type.
Synopsis
This book is about twins, Noah and Jude (Jude is a girl by the way). They are very close and they do things together. But then something happened that caused them to lose that strong connection, they are now distant and they hate each other, barely talking, and everything is not the same anymore. We follow the story of how they try to get their relationship back, and how they unravel the secrets that they kept to each other that changes everything.
I picked up this book not knowing much about it. I’ve been seeing this book a lot back then, at first I was hesitant to pick this up because I don’t read contemporary that much. But I was looking for some light read this month and I found this book in my PlayBooks and I started reading it, and oh boy…
I learned a lot of things—the importance of family, self discovery, about art, friendship and love— by reading this book.
Writing
This book was told in dual perspective so we get to follow Noah when he was 13 years old and Jude when she was 16 years old. Basically it’s a before-and-after type of story telling. Jandy Nelson’s writing style was so authentic. The way she narrated both of Noah and Jude’s perpective was so unique. Noah who is a painter describe things as if it was painting.
“(Portrait: Mom and Dad with Screeching Tea Kettles for Heads)”
– Noah Sweetwine (I’ll Give You the Sun)
and I think it really added more to the story.
Jude on the other hand, told her story in a way to show how she was impacted and how much she valued every words of wisdom that her grandmother had given them. They keep these words of wisdom in a book, that they call Bible (which is not literally the Bible). We get to see how she believed in every one of them and applying it in her everyday life.
“If a boy gives a girl an orange, her love for him will multiply.”
“To avoid serious illness, keep an onion in your pocket.”
– Grandma’s words of wisdom
Plot
I can’t really much talk about the plot of this book without spoilers. But I loved the way how the story intertwined using the point of view of the two characters. How their thoughts about what happened to them were really different, you can tell that they were both written very well because of the individuality and the way they think. Noah and Jude was both an artist in a different way and I really loved both of them because they made me want to be more involved in art like visiting museums, learn painting and sculpting, despite the fact that I’m not the artsy type. We get to see Noah and Jude as they grow up, fall in love, and as they remake the world.
Characters
Noah (Protagonist) – He is so passionate about art, whenever something happens to him, good or bad, he paints it (sometimes just in his head). The way he put his feelings and emotions on canvas is what I really liked him the most. He values art to the point that it serves as an escape to him. His sexuality is also a plot point that we get to see. How he struggles about hiding his real self especially to his dad. My only problem with him was sometimes he acted immature which I understand knowing that he was just 13 years old, in the middle of adolescence, and he had already experienced a lot of awful things.
“I love you,” I say to him, only it comes out, “Hey.”
“So damn much,” he says back, only it comes out, “Dude.”– Noah Sweetwine (I’ll Give You the Sun)
Jude (Protagonist) – I felt Jude’s character, where she’s coming from and how she reacted. Looking back from reading this book, I think the very start of the conflict was because of her. She was jealous and insecure about her brother when they were younger. As a person who have siblings, I wholly understand her, the comparison and unfairness of it all and how terrible it can get. Noah and Jude’s narration was both sad, but I felt more of Jude’s because she was full of regret for what she did. There were also part of Jude I really liked and that was how she don’t easily give up on things.
“People die, I think, but your relationship with them doesn’t. It continues and is ever-changing.”
– Jude Sweetwine (I’ll Give You the Sun)
Overall
I gave this book a sun (ha ha). I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I loved the characters more than the plot. The writing was unique and was done with beautiful metaphors. I know some people doesn’t like the writing but for me it was okay. You will get used to it over time. The reason why it wasn’t a full 5 star read for me was because the chapters were ridiculously long. But I think it was more of a personal opinion since I’m not a fan of long chapters. Books told in a point of view of two person, I would prefer it in short chapters because sometimes it can get really boring. And also there were parts of the book that I predicted which happens rarely when I read. Still this was an awesome read. It was heart breaking, funny at the same time, artistic, and full of lessons about family. I would still recommend that you pick this up.
About the Author
Jandy Nelson, like her characters in I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN, comes from a superstitious lot. She was tutored from a young age in the art of the four-leaf clover hunt; she knocks wood, throws salt, and carries charms in her pockets. Her debut novel, THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, was on multiple Best Books of the Year lists, was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults pick, earned numerous starred reviews, has been translated widely, and continues to enjoy great international success. Currently a full-time writer, Jandy lives and writes in San Francisco, California — not far from the settings of THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE and I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN.
http://jandynelson.com/
Twitter: @JandyNelson
Goodreads: Jandy Nelson
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