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Suddenly Light
A stunning new work of intimate, nuanced, and quietly profound realism.
From the award-winning author Nina Dunic, stories in this collection have twice won the Toronto Star Short Story Contest, been long-listed for the CBC Short Story Prize four times, nominated for The Journey Prize, and pre-date her critically acclaimed novel The Clarion.
With crisp and penetrating prose that recalls the work of Mavis Gallant and Alice Munro, the stories in Suddenly Light are bracing, buoyant, and test the delicate threads that tie us together.
From the award-winning author Nina Dunic, stories in this collection have twice won the Toronto Star Short Story Contest, been long-listed for the CBC Short Story Prize four times, nominated for The Journey Prize, and pre-date her critically acclaimed novel The Clarion.
With crisp and penetrating prose that recalls the work of Mavis Gallant and Alice Munro, the stories in Suddenly Light are bracing, buoyant, and test the delicate threads that tie us together.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 9, 2025
6 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 2, 2025
Suddenly Light by Nina Dunic
"Adam was disgusted with that. But apparently that was the way the world worked. Lots of things weren't pleasant but if you saw enough people doing it, you learned to ignore it."
or...
"He was ordinary and --- its primary characteristic -- did not know it."
"Adam was disgusted with that. But apparently that was the way the world worked. Lots of things weren't pleasant but if you saw enough people doing it, you learned to ignore it."
or...
"He was ordinary and --- its primary characteristic -- did not know it."
October 3, 2025
Now this felt refreshing: a series of stories that are both melancholy yet have a sharp dark edge. Combined with some interesting and ambiguous conclusions, this collection is easily one of the better fiction reads I've had in the last few months.
December 3, 2025
Wow. Just wow. These stories were just incredible.
On page 4, she writes "His clothes often smelled vaguely of cumin, coriander, a tickle of pepper." And I was hooked.
Each story had me intrigued. These characters all so different, yet somehow so similar. Funny. Sad. Each in their own way so human.
A lovely book, filled with lovely stories. I'm so happy I read this.
On page 4, she writes "His clothes often smelled vaguely of cumin, coriander, a tickle of pepper." And I was hooked.
Each story had me intrigued. These characters all so different, yet somehow so similar. Funny. Sad. Each in their own way so human.
A lovely book, filled with lovely stories. I'm so happy I read this.
December 29, 2025
Impressive. Fresh. Unique. We love a Toronto writer over here and this is a bit cold but bold and a little prickly. I’m here for it.
My favourite stories were: The Dog, Youth and Runners which were fantastic! Kin was another top tier story.
Some of my favourite quotes:
She also casually references Uzi in her storytelling like Nina Dunic, the things you will do!!! I can’t wait to read what’s next!
My favourite stories were: The Dog, Youth and Runners which were fantastic! Kin was another top tier story.
Some of my favourite quotes:
”Love: the end of a heartbreaking fight for some kind of understanding between strangers. Strangers with an abnormal capacity for hurting each other, all of the unspoken fear around it. Young lovers were so careless and terrified of each other, always, and perhaps that made it exhilarating—but love was the ceasefire.” 83%, from the story: Youth, Nina Dunic
“Pity destroys the proud. It was cloying, and ruthless.” - 22%, from the story Awake, Nina Dunic
“It is odd what can come out of slowness, looking around, thinking about what to think about.” 19%, from the story Awake, Nina Dunic
“The gym was owned by an overweight white guy who dressed poorly and often seemed distressed about some issue or another. He was on the phone a lot. I think his parents had a car business just outside the city, so he was a vaguely rich kid—later they gave him money to buy a business, so he bought a gym. A manager had told me all that. The owner’s appearance made it clear he had no interest in health or fitness—I hoped he didn’t have cameras in the change rooms, because it seemed possible he was that kind of guy.” 13%, from the story Falls, Nina Dunic
She also casually references Uzi in her storytelling like Nina Dunic, the things you will do!!! I can’t wait to read what’s next!
February 14, 2026
This quick read collection of short stories by Canadian author Nina Dunic subtly spins a wide range of impactful tales.
A teacher who cautions his young students about the repercussions of taking a food dare by doing exactly that and paying a sickly price.
A drunk artist who falls from grace in the presence of a fan with a life-altering question.
A simply sad reason why an elderly woman hands out colourful balloons to children from her wheelchair.
A domesticated dog with the irrepressible heart of a stray.
Samples from a good read of 15 stories not easily forgotten.
A teacher who cautions his young students about the repercussions of taking a food dare by doing exactly that and paying a sickly price.
A drunk artist who falls from grace in the presence of a fan with a life-altering question.
A simply sad reason why an elderly woman hands out colourful balloons to children from her wheelchair.
A domesticated dog with the irrepressible heart of a stray.
Samples from a good read of 15 stories not easily forgotten.
December 13, 2025
Wonderful array of fictional short stories by Canadian author Nina Dunic. Refreshing read!
February 20, 2026
Thematically complex while telling great story after great story. I loved this collection.
March 5, 2026
One of the best writers in Canada. Amazing short stories.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews