The Fatal Stillness Of The Sun

by Benjamin Weberink

"I'll let it consume me. I'll let it. I'll mix water with vodka. Wine boxes. Clear spirits. I'll hide it. I'll let it consume me. I'll let it"

Summer 2007. An intimate look into the mind of Noah, an addict caught at the intersection of healing and ruin. Stuck within a cycle of grief and alcohol, he decides to embark on a passage into the unknown. It forces him to confront the traumatic memories he's been burying, but not everything is as it seems. As we wander through the violent and turbulent psyche of Noah we feel the heavy compulsion of life weighing heavy on his shoulders, and his enervated resistance towards his baneful addiction getting more and more prevalent. Even through this, while struggling to find his fate, an intoxicating new love opens up a chance of healing.

In this debut novel, author Benjamin Weberink delves deep into a place on the brink of hopelessness, and the unspeakable tragedies surrounding it. The blending of love, faith and regret only allows for a single question to be asked: Can Noah reclaim his life before it's too late?

144 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Benjamin Weberink was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 2002, and has since lived across Europe, gathering impressions of places, voices and images that shape the texture of his writing.

His work sits in the space between beauty and unease. It does not try to hide the rough edges; instead, it brings them forward in a way that feels both poetic and brutally honest. He is drawn to the medieval world, with its mix of devotion and brutality, and to the woods, which are beautiful but also violent and unpredictable, all of which are essential to his work.

With his new book, White Headache, he deepens this vision, exploring the fragile boundary between life and memory.

Beyond his writing, Benjamin is the founder of Kastle Five, a Europe-based collective devoted to literary work.

Reviews

[Stas Ruban · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the rawest books I've ever read. It was genuine, full of twists and suspense. The characters felt so real, and their journey kept me hooked. I hope to see more stories like this from the author in the future.

[Ninia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and touching book. Made me tear up at the end. One of my new favourites.

[Marianna Manta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it very much. The characters and the plot kept me hooked, and I could not stop reading. I definitely recommend it to everyone.

[Alexandrakis Sotiris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real masterpiece of storytelling. It is heartfelt and full of emotion. I could not stop reading, especially at some parts. It did not disappoint.

[Baro Phương · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting and unflinching look at addiction and self-destruction. The protagonist’s struggle to escape his downward spiral is painfully real—every attempt at change feels both desperate and doomed. The oppressive atmosphere mirrors his sense of entrapment, making the reader feel his frustration and hopelessness.

Dark, suffocating, and deeply affecting, this book captures the weight of addiction with raw intensity. Not an easy read, but a powerful one that lingers long after the last page.

[Bryce Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm an addict. I talk in short sentences. And poetry. And self-deprecation. Everyone else in my world talks like this too. For some reason. Have you ever read The Stranger.

I feel a bit guilty leaving this book its only negative review, because there is raw talent here, but it's masquerading as something it's not. This was an exhausting and miserable read that came off as an extended tumblr post more than anything else. It was intimate, absolutely. But I felt trapped, and not in the way I could tell it was going for.

I wanted something to contrast with the constant bombardment of pain and suffering, something to latch onto as a glimpse of hope both for me and Noah, even if he was destined for tragedy. But every other character was just as insufferable as he was. Pick out any line of dialogue, rip it from the page, and I guarantee you no one would ever be able to tell who said it. Same vocab, same syntax, same surface-level poetry. And there are only, like, seven speaking characters in the whole thing.

Bonus star for the title. I bought it for that reason alone.

[CCA · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a haunting and raw read to start my summer. this is definitely gonna stick with me for a while, especially that last chapter. so good!!

[Sia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “The Fatal Stillness of the Sun”, Benjamin Weberink crafts a haunting and mournful narrative. This novel digs into the complexity of human nature, exploring the psychological unraveling of Noah as he struggles with grief, self-destruction, and a pervasive sense of existential emptiness. This book isn’t about making excuses for Noah, the main character’s actions but rather about understanding how far addiction can take a person into darkness and how that darkness can consume, not just the addict, but also, the people they care for and love. It’s a meditation on guilt, remorse, and the irreversibility of certain choices. But it's also a reminder of how fragile we all are, no matter how much we try to hide behind substances or detachment.
What makes The Fatal Stillness of the Sun stand out is the writer’s ability to draw the reader into Noah’s world without ever offering easy answers. The quiet moments of reflection are just as powerful as the more intense emotional peaks, and the writer’s pacing and use of symbolism heighten the novel’s overall impact.
The Fatal Stillness of the Sun is an excellent choice for people who are looking for a dark, mesmerizing, and unforgettable novel.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Raw and Haunting Debut

The Fatal Stillness of the Sun is an intensely emotional and unflinchingly honest exploration of a young man's inner turmoil. Benjamin Weberink’s debut novel masterfully captures the tangled experiences of grief, addiction, and the desperate struggle for redemption. His prose oscillates between the poetic and the brutal, creating a raw and haunting atmosphere that doesn’t shy away from the darkest corners of human experience.

Noah, the protagonist, is deeply flawed, and Weberink paints him with layers of vulnerability that evoke both frustration and empathy. This is not a story of easy answers or moralizing; rather, it is an intimate glimpse into the chaotic beauty and painful weight of attempting to find one's way through life’s overwhelming moments.

For those who appreciate a fearless and deeply personal narrative that delves into the human psyche with striking clarity, The Fatal Stillness of the Sun will leave a lasting impression. It is rare to see such emotional honesty in a debut, and this book signals the arrival of a powerful new voice in contemporary fiction.

[Vladimir Bertosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fatal Stillness of the Sun is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. The writing is beautifully descriptive, painting vivid images of the world and characters, while the narrative expertly balances emotional depth with suspenseful storytelling. The themes explored are profound and relevant, prompting reflection long after you’ve finished reading. The pacing is spot-on, with every chapter building tension and unraveling layers of complexity. This book is a perfect choice for readers who enjoy deep, well-crafted stories with a touch of mystery and philosophy.

[DX · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a debut novel, this is arguably one of the smoothest, raw, and emotionally expansive pieces I've read by far. I was skeptical of buying it at first due to the little information and samples of the book, but I don't regret a thing. He is basically a modern day Dostoevsky/Mishima when it comes to capturing the depravity of existence. The tortured protagonist-the brutality of the human condition-the needs of the self; all of it is carefully depicted through Noah's eyes.
Absolutely loved it. <3 & Author is very kind.

[Milos Radovanovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Fatal Stillness of the Sun" is a beautifully haunting exploration of grief, addiction, and the resilience of the human spirit. Benjamin masterfully captures the rawness of loss and the delicate balance between despair and hope, making Noah's journey both heartbreaking and inspiring. A compelling debut that leaves a profound emotional impact.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the books switches scenery from the inner soul of the character to the world in which they live and affect really makes you believe this world exists , a must read for anyone even though it may not be your genre

[Valentine Rozkolodko · Rating 4 out of 5]

English is not my native language, but it is absolutely thrilling and sad from start to finish. This book stayed in my head long after I read the last page...

[Monique Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fatal Stillness of the Sun has given me food for thought. The poetic verses are beautiful and terrifying. A must read!