A hardback library copy of M.O. Walsh’s 2015 debut novel “My Sunshine Away” accompanied me on vacation as my husband and I traveled over hill and dale recently through parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Quebec. We were attending a family reunion for a few days and then took a bicycle trip, and luckily the book did not get rain damaged in my bike pannier, though a paperback copy probably would have been easier to lug.
I’ve been surprised to see some readers refer to “My Sunshine Away” as a crime or mystery novel. Although a crime does take place in it that is eventually solved, to me it’s much more a coming-of-age tale set in the South. And I for one, find it hard to resist really good coming-of-age stories — whether it’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” or “The Catcher in the Rye” or Michael Chabon’s “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh,” or this one, I feel the need to consume it rather completely.
For those who haven’t heard, “My Sunshine Away” is about an adolescent boy growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, whose life changes when a girl that he has always had a crush on is raped in his quiet suburban neighborhood in the summer of 1989. He’s so obsessed with the girl, Lindy, that he ends up becoming a suspect in her assault. Yet later he and Lindy bond after his family suffers a tragedy. What happens to their relationship collides at the end with an attempt to solve her rape case.
Judging by comments on Goodreads, people had a pretty diverse reaction to this novel, most really liking it, while others did not. I think some readers had problems of being stuck inside the mind of an adolescent boy who’s totally obsessed with the girl next door. His infatuation perhaps gets too much or endless for some. But I think the kid, a young sort of lost teen, is trying to find himself — a bit like Holden Caulfield in “The Catcher in the Rye” — and find his way in that specific corner of the world in Baton Rouge. He’s going through tough stuff: his parents become divorced, his family suffers a tragedy, he’s desperate for a girl. He narrates as he learns looking back at these years, what it meant, and how the crime of her rape affected him and the whole neighborhood.
I found the story quite immersive and moving, and amusing in places despite it’s dark subject matter. I thought a lot of the writing was wonderful, and two chapters in particular stuck out for me. In one he describes what happens at school the day the Space Shuttle Challenger blew up in 1986, which is quite a scene. In the other he tells how Baton Rouge differs from New Orleans, and what happens later in life in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The novel’s sense of place and time, specifically for the South in the 1980s, is terrific throughout.
I would highly recommend “My Sunshine Away” for readers who especially like coming-of-age tales, or stories set in the South. Enjoy this quirky heartfelt gem.
I’ve heard only great things about this title. I think I may have to give it a try.
Yeah if it sounds enticing to you Carmen, go for it. I like these growing up kinds of tales where the narrator learns something significant about themselves that helps them in life.
This is one I have on my shelf and I could not recall what my interest was in it – you just reminded me thank you 🙂
Good deal Sheila. Hope you like it
I loved this one. Adored it. I loved it so much I went out and bought a hardback copy of it to keep for myself. There were so many passages that just blew me away. Plus, I am the same age as the main character, so his memories about certain cultural events really hit home for me. I thought it was a phenomenal story though. Now, I want to read it all over again…
Wow that’s great Michelle. I didn’t realize you’d gotten to this one. I’m glad you liked it too. Quite a bit of the writing was great and I could picture the characters so well.
This sounds very good. The characters and plot sound well crafted.
Boys and young men do sometimes become romantically obsessed. So as long as it portrayed realistically I think that I would be OK with that aspect of the story.
Yeah Brian — I think the obsession though weird or pathetic about the kid is likely realistic, so I kept going and I was glad I did. Thanks
Well, between you and another book blogger that just raved about this one, I’ll just have to move it up on my TBR.
I grew up in the 80’s. I was home, sick, the day the Challenger blew up so I missed all the reactions at school. I just remember watching it over and over on TV while lying on the couch. That was also the day I got my acceptance letter into college. Weird, I’ll always have those two memories together.
Thanks for the review, I definitely want to read it now.
Interesting Darlene. Yeah you never forget things like that. I was in a dorm room in college and I saw the Challenger disaster on TV, which was shocking. This book has a chapter like that in it. Check it out sometime.
Thanks for sharing this book with us. Probably too intense for me (I’m not one for intense, but I know millions of others are.)
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Yeah I can where some would be turned off by the subject matter. Though it’s not too intense a read. Thanks Deb.
I have this one on my Kindle and started reading it earlier in the summer…and then stopped.
I don’t know why I couldn’t engage…but I am sure it was timing. I had a lot on my plate, and wanted books that would flow smoothly for me. So I am sure I’ll return to it.
Thanks for sharing…and when you compare it to other coming-of-age books I’ve enjoyed, I am sure I will have a better experience second time around.
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Yeah Laurel: it’s sort of a quirky read about an adolescent boy so I can see where it might not be engaging to all. It also a bit long in places — I thought it could’ve been a tad shorter. But all in all I’m glad I read it.
Sounds fascinating to me! I just added it to the ever-growing TBR list 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Molly. Yeah I thought it was pretty interesting.
This does sound good–I like coming of age stories too, and ones set in the South always seem particularly poignant. The Heart is a Lonely sprang to mind while I was reading this review. I may get on my library’s list for this one for later this year.
Thanks Jane. Yeah I need to read The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. I will add to my list.
I have a copy of this one. It sounds really good and something I’d like I just haven’t carved out the time for it. I’ve been reviewing all my ARCs and I am happy to say that I am all caught up now!
I know that’s a relief to get caught with the ARCs. You’d probably like this novel.
Sounds interesting, especially as a crossover from adult lit fic to YA. I’m especially impressed that you biked with a hardcover. I hope it was a good vacation. I love your photo below.
Thanks Sarah. Yeah it was a really good trip. For a few days we were in the White Mountains of New Hampshire which was also terrific. And yes it was a bit cumbersome to lug a hardback around. Live and learn.