BOOK REVIEW: Sundial by Catriona Ward
A gripping and twisting tale of dark secrets and desparation.
I honestly don’t even know where to start with this one. Just like Ward’s The Last House on Needless Street, I was left slightly speechless when I closed this book after that last page. All I can think of is how in the world does she come up with this stuff?
This is one of the few books, where I don’t think I really liked any of the characters, but for all different reasons. However, I just couldn’t look away from the trainwreck that is this family. When I say trainwreck, I mean it. From the first page of the book you learn immediately this is the epitome of dysfunctional family. Beware, there are more triggers in this book than I can probably list out. But, wow. Just wow. I really don’t know what else to say. It was completely enthralling.
The story revolves around Rob, her abusive and cheating husband, Irving, and their two daughters,12-year-old Callie and 9-year-old Annie. After quickly and effectively establishing the volatile family dynamics and some clear character traits, we find Rob and Callie heading to Sundial, Rob’s childhood home in the Mojave Desert, for some soul searching and life defining decision making. Everyone knows at the end of the trip, nothing will be the same - we just don’t know why.
The plot structure supports the dual points of view; alternating between Rob and Callie in the present, as well as Rob ‘back then’ where we experience her childhood at Sundial. True to Ward’s style, you literally have to read to the very last page to fully understand each and every little twist and turn to this, at times, mortifying and horrifying story. Again, it’s hard to say too much because every other page had a critical development that would spoil the power of the story.
None of the characters are reliable and are terribly flawed, but are driven by clear motives that they truly believe are honorable, except for Irving. This primarily revolves around the characters from Rob’s past. The recounting of the past is where the true story takes place, where you have no choice but to wonder what makes people think certain actions and behaviors are acceptable. I will simply entice everyone by saying the laboratories on this ‘compound’ should have been discovered decades ago. But, in the end, once you know the history of Sundial, the climax of the book is really the only possible option.
“I don't know what it's like for other people, but love and nausea are often indistinguishable to me”
Because the characters are developed the way they are, there is no way to know exactly who to believe or what in their lives have led them to be what they are in that moment. In the end, there is so much that is clarified, and I grew to, if not like, appreciate Rob and the decisions she made by the conclusion. They really are no different than all the choices she made throughout her life. The piles upon piles of secrets are slowly stripped away as she tells Callie her story, which no 12 year old should have to hear.
All I kept saying to myself is “These characters are crazy!” I just didn’t know what to think. Clearly, this is a character driven story. They are stripped bare and completely revealed to a soul crushing level. There are some pretty intense scenes that show that while the characters are the stars of this book, they support and propel a very complex, multifaceted plot.
There is a somewhat awkward story within a story element. Rob writes as a hobby, and there are a few points where the heaviness of the plot is broken up with Rob’s current story “Arrowood.” I’ve read some opinions where readers felt this was unnecessary or it didn’t make a lot of sense. I disagree. I feel that it accomplished two things:
1. It allowed me to breathe. The book is so overwhelming that it allowed a momentary reprieve from the insanity of the real story.
2. It mirrored Rob’s life. I feel that it was in some ways her coping mechanism. There was so much trauma in her life that this is her way to process everything that makes up who is and her life. While I agree that it was a little weird, I saw a reason for it.
Conclusions are another one of my little hang ups when it comes to books and with the structure on this one, there are two conclusions. The first is that of her past, when she finally leaves Sundial. There is a crazy, intense and subtle nod to Stephen King here. If you have read the book, you know exactly what I am referring to. I literally couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. I’ve never really been a dog person. The second conclusion was that of immediate issues in the present day.
This second conclusion isn’t as cut and dry as the one of the past, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. There are almost two pieces to this situation; one I liked and one that made me want to scream. The conclusion of Rob and Callie’s time at Sundial was excellent. I loved how it all went down. However, the family drama is left with a little bit of a cliffhanger and I it made me slightly crazy!
“Kids are mirrors, reflecting back everything that happens to them. You’ve got to make sure they’re surrounded by good things.”
My final thoughts before I place this one to rest on my bookshelf is in regards to the motif/symbolism woven to perfection throughout the story. The idea of mirrors and reflections is seen in many of the scenes where decisions and explanations are being sought as well as moments where the characters were feeling pain and desperation. The pivotal moments where characters had to accept who they are or reflect on who they were. It’s hard to not see its connection when you see mirrors and then broken mirrors in conjunction with the pot development. I just love the subtlety of literary elements like this.
Where does this land on my bookshelf?
It should be clear that it is on my top shelf. I’m not big on comparing books, and since I have now read two books by Catorina Ward, I’m glad that I don’t. Ward’s voice is unique and slightly disturbing, but that makes it enticing as a reader. I now know not to hold any preconceived notions about what I might find in future books because the books are just as unique as the author. I’m still trying to wrap my head around some of the moments these characters experienced, and I would love nothing more than to sit down with Ward to learn more about how she is able to create such stories. If you love that thriller type book where there is a plethora of dark secrets, dark people and disturbing moments, I would highly, highly recommend this book. This isn’t a normal genre for me, but I can guarantee I will continue to read her books.
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