The Illumination

By: Kevin Brockmeier

Narrated by: Graham Rowat

Author Kevin Brockmeier counts the O. Henry Prize among the many accolades his speculative fiction has earned. In The Illumination he offers “an inspiring take on suffering and the often fleeting nature of connection” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). When physical pain suddenly manifests itself as shining light, the wounded nature of humanity is revealed.

©2011 Kevin Brockmeier (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“This is a radiant, bewitching, and profoundly inquisitive novel of sorrow, perseverance, and wonderment.” ( Booklist)

“Moving. . . . Skillfully explores the relationship between love and memory.” ( The New Yorker)

“Stunningly original . . . this gorgeously written book will still stay with [readers] long after the last page is turned.” ( The Oregonian)

Not great

The story meandered and I kept waiting for the plot to make sense and it never did

unsatisfying

I was unsatisfied when I reached the end. Maybe if I had known in advance that the book is a series of loosely connected stories I would be less critical now. The book moved to a new character too quickly for me. My 2 stars is because I didn't like the narrative structure. Someone who likes short stories, linked together by an object, might really enjoy this book.

The overall idea is terrific and interesting. I wanted the author to push it more and I wanted fewer stories within the story.
Narration was good.

Start with a bang end with a fizzle

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I loved the first several chapters of this book. Interesting story, interesting characters. I even liked how it was a series of different stories that were interconnected.

The reason I gave it a low rating is because toward the middle and the end the story became unhinged, it didn't make total sense any more, the connection between characters grew more and more loose and had an unsatisfying close.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance was fine, nothing great, nothing bad.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

In the first several chapters I was captivated, there was a mixture of happiness, sadness, heartwarming and heart ache... disappointment was the reaction I was left with at the end.

Any additional comments?

Perhaps if i read this I would have a different feeling. I like audible and audio books because I can listen as I do other things. Maybe this book required more attention than I gave it?? But I believe the owness is on the story to capture my attention, which it failed to do halfway through.