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Daylight Come
It is 2084. Climate change has made life on the Caribbean island of Bajacu a gruelling trial. The sun is so hot that people must sleep in the day and live and work at night. In a world of desperate scarcity, people who reach forty are expendable. Those who still survive in the cities and towns are ruled over by the brutal, fascistic Domins, and the order has gone out for another evacuation to less sea-threatened parts of the capital.
Sorrel can take no more and she persuades her mother, Bibi, that they should flee the city and head for higher ground in the interior. She has heard there are groups known as Tribals, bitter enemies of the Domins, who have found ways of surviving in the hills, but she also knows they will have to evade the packs of ferals, animals with a taste for human flesh. Not least she knows that the sun will kill them if they can’t find shelter.
Diana McCaulay takes the reader on a tense, threat-filled odyssey as mother and daughter attempt their escape. On the way, Sorrel learns much about the nature of self-sacrifice, maternal love and the dreadful moral choices that must be made in the cause of self-protection.
Sorrel can take no more and she persuades her mother, Bibi, that they should flee the city and head for higher ground in the interior. She has heard there are groups known as Tribals, bitter enemies of the Domins, who have found ways of surviving in the hills, but she also knows they will have to evade the packs of ferals, animals with a taste for human flesh. Not least she knows that the sun will kill them if they can’t find shelter.
Diana McCaulay takes the reader on a tense, threat-filled odyssey as mother and daughter attempt their escape. On the way, Sorrel learns much about the nature of self-sacrifice, maternal love and the dreadful moral choices that must be made in the cause of self-protection.
196 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2020
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June 27, 2021
Updated June 27
I love this book so much I decided I must make it a BookOfCinz Book Club pick. In re-reading it a second time I was reminded why. Absolutely well done. A must read.
As the author says Here’s to hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction I also hope everyone who reads this take it as a warning because this could be our reality.
Set in 2084, the sun is so hot the people on the fictional Caribbean island of Bajacu have to sleep during the day and work during the night. If you are caught outside at dawn you will die- that is how hot the sun is. Food is scarce, water is scarce, children attend school online, internet is limited, the island is ruled by the Domins who are trained to kill and their only goal is to survive. People over 40 years old are considered old, no one lives to see 60. No one travels, no one has access to the internet- actually the internet isn’t even a thing, the only thing of top priority is SURVIVAL.
In Daylight Come we meet fourteen-year-old Sorrel who is living with her mother Bibi, an IT Tech who works with the Government. Sorrel is not able to sleep during the day and is up during the night, which in the long term cannot work. Bibi isn’t doing well having to deal with the constant relocating and providing for her daughter. With the city letting everyone know they have to evacuate Sorrel suggests to her mother that is it time that they go for the hills. Legend has it there is a thriving community of Tribal people who are living healthy and unaffected by the climate change. To get to this Tribal community Sorrel and Bibi will have to go through blood thirsty animals, rain booms, the sun and if they do reach, will this community take them in or turn them back?
Daylight Come is a warning we cannot hide from, yes, this is fictional book but we are already seeing ice cap melting, the sun was never this hot… the signs are all there. I think what stood out for me the disdain the young persons felt for the older persons living on the island who didn’t do anything to stop climate change. McCaulay paints a realistic picture of a Caribbean island suffering from climate change.
It is not every day you pick up a book writing by a Caribbean author, set in the Caribbean and it is about climate change and I was here for ALL of it. The author expertly explored themes of grief, trauma, survival, mother-daughter relationships and morality. I wanted the book to have a solid 100 more pages because I didn’t want this story to end. The book gives me a Hunger Games but without the ceremony, just a band of women doing everything to survive.
Diana McCaulay is an Environmental Activist in Jamaica and I loved that she used her gift of writing to tell a timely and relevant story.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you plan on reading Caribbean, read this! Thanks Peepal Tree Press for this ARC
I love this book so much I decided I must make it a BookOfCinz Book Club pick. In re-reading it a second time I was reminded why. Absolutely well done. A must read.
As the author says Here’s to hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction I also hope everyone who reads this take it as a warning because this could be our reality.
Set in 2084, the sun is so hot the people on the fictional Caribbean island of Bajacu have to sleep during the day and work during the night. If you are caught outside at dawn you will die- that is how hot the sun is. Food is scarce, water is scarce, children attend school online, internet is limited, the island is ruled by the Domins who are trained to kill and their only goal is to survive. People over 40 years old are considered old, no one lives to see 60. No one travels, no one has access to the internet- actually the internet isn’t even a thing, the only thing of top priority is SURVIVAL.
In Daylight Come we meet fourteen-year-old Sorrel who is living with her mother Bibi, an IT Tech who works with the Government. Sorrel is not able to sleep during the day and is up during the night, which in the long term cannot work. Bibi isn’t doing well having to deal with the constant relocating and providing for her daughter. With the city letting everyone know they have to evacuate Sorrel suggests to her mother that is it time that they go for the hills. Legend has it there is a thriving community of Tribal people who are living healthy and unaffected by the climate change. To get to this Tribal community Sorrel and Bibi will have to go through blood thirsty animals, rain booms, the sun and if they do reach, will this community take them in or turn them back?
Daylight Come is a warning we cannot hide from, yes, this is fictional book but we are already seeing ice cap melting, the sun was never this hot… the signs are all there. I think what stood out for me the disdain the young persons felt for the older persons living on the island who didn’t do anything to stop climate change. McCaulay paints a realistic picture of a Caribbean island suffering from climate change.
It is not every day you pick up a book writing by a Caribbean author, set in the Caribbean and it is about climate change and I was here for ALL of it. The author expertly explored themes of grief, trauma, survival, mother-daughter relationships and morality. I wanted the book to have a solid 100 more pages because I didn’t want this story to end. The book gives me a Hunger Games but without the ceremony, just a band of women doing everything to survive.
Diana McCaulay is an Environmental Activist in Jamaica and I loved that she used her gift of writing to tell a timely and relevant story.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you plan on reading Caribbean, read this! Thanks Peepal Tree Press for this ARC
October 14, 2020
"People used to think that they couldn't bear it any hotter, until they found out they could." - Daylight Come
Diana McCaulay adds a new story to the timeless tales of yore (or your astute millennial) that warn us away from our reckless environmentally insensitive ways. Described as "Climate Fiction" Daylight Come is unique in its setting and premise. Firstly, it is set in a fictitious place called Bajacu; a place that sounds like Jamaica but isn't overtly called so as, like its inhabitants, it has lost its own identity in the environmental crisis enveloping the planet. Secondly, the premise is unique for this kind of literature. It does not come across as preachy and doomsday as one may presume when reading the summary. However, Daylight Come has likable characters whose stories you become invested in from page one. With intermittent flashbacks and change in POV, the MCs are developed substantially so that by the last page you are rooting for them and in a sense, us, to survive this half dying world.
The plot was fluid. It moved and there was no waste of time with excessive information. The story had enough elements of present day infused with some elements just outside our grasp now but completely believable looking into the future. It made me think on multiple occasions "That could happen!". The inclusion of present day items that we take for granted (I'm thinking of the patty!) also added a layer of familiarity and warmth. Diana's characters actively longed for a better time. They longed for our now.
The characters were also likable, admirable and strong as bricks. Female characters were pushed to the forefront of the story and dominated over three quarters of the book. I praise Diana for her introduction of the male character in a way that did not perpetuate the stereotype of men being the abusers/worst things on the planet (at that point it could have been literally). Instead she created a balance, voicing reasonable fears of her female characters, then counteracting the "All men are evil" stereotype with some grace and tact.
In the author's note Diana presents a simple premise we can all relate to: "Suppose it got so hot that we all had to work at night and sleep in the day? And suppose there was a girl, a teenager, who simply couldn't sleep during the night?". Simple. You've had hot days. You have had insomnia. Take this premise and run with it into forever. This is the story that Diana is telling us. A book that is not about race or wealth or wars. It is a story of lives, stripped down to nothing rejoicing in the simple pleasure of an egg, a breadfruit and a sip of coconut water.
Diana McCaulay adds a new story to the timeless tales of yore (or your astute millennial) that warn us away from our reckless environmentally insensitive ways. Described as "Climate Fiction" Daylight Come is unique in its setting and premise. Firstly, it is set in a fictitious place called Bajacu; a place that sounds like Jamaica but isn't overtly called so as, like its inhabitants, it has lost its own identity in the environmental crisis enveloping the planet. Secondly, the premise is unique for this kind of literature. It does not come across as preachy and doomsday as one may presume when reading the summary. However, Daylight Come has likable characters whose stories you become invested in from page one. With intermittent flashbacks and change in POV, the MCs are developed substantially so that by the last page you are rooting for them and in a sense, us, to survive this half dying world.
The plot was fluid. It moved and there was no waste of time with excessive information. The story had enough elements of present day infused with some elements just outside our grasp now but completely believable looking into the future. It made me think on multiple occasions "That could happen!". The inclusion of present day items that we take for granted (I'm thinking of the patty!) also added a layer of familiarity and warmth. Diana's characters actively longed for a better time. They longed for our now.
The characters were also likable, admirable and strong as bricks. Female characters were pushed to the forefront of the story and dominated over three quarters of the book. I praise Diana for her introduction of the male character in a way that did not perpetuate the stereotype of men being the abusers/worst things on the planet (at that point it could have been literally). Instead she created a balance, voicing reasonable fears of her female characters, then counteracting the "All men are evil" stereotype with some grace and tact.
In the author's note Diana presents a simple premise we can all relate to: "Suppose it got so hot that we all had to work at night and sleep in the day? And suppose there was a girl, a teenager, who simply couldn't sleep during the night?". Simple. You've had hot days. You have had insomnia. Take this premise and run with it into forever. This is the story that Diana is telling us. A book that is not about race or wealth or wars. It is a story of lives, stripped down to nothing rejoicing in the simple pleasure of an egg, a breadfruit and a sip of coconut water.
July 1, 2021
The question is: What if??
What did I just read?? 🤯🤯
“ I tell you who’s hard-hearted , those old people, dead now. They left us with this world to deal with and they knew what would happen.”
Why do you have to be 194 pages though? 😫
Why the cliffhanger? 😫😫
💭 Suppose it got so hot that we all had to work at night and sleep in the day?
💭 Would you still love the sun if it could kill?
I don't read a lot of post-apocalyptic/dystopia fiction books enough to hit me this hard. This book gave me the chills and made me gave way to tears.
A speculative fiction set in the Caribbean (Jamaican precisely), in the year 2084. Climate change has made life on the Caribbean island of Bajacu a grueling trial. The sun is so hot that people must sleep in the day and live and work at night, thus begin the struggle for survival for everyone. Especially for Bibi with her teenage daughter Sorrel, as they were forced to evacuate.
Mother and daughter relationships? ✔️
Climate change activism and its effect on younger generations now and the ones to come? ✔️
Strong female dominance? ✔️
Short, fast-paced, fantastic imaginative world-building with an easy narrative to digest... #DaylightCome is an extremely urgent environmental message to folks and the system about the need for more attention on climatic issues and what we can do individually now and for future younger generations to come.
I think everyone needs to read this... Especially Young Adults
Here's hoping there'll be a sequel to the book 🤞🏽
What did I just read?? 🤯🤯
“ I tell you who’s hard-hearted , those old people, dead now. They left us with this world to deal with and they knew what would happen.”
Why do you have to be 194 pages though? 😫
Why the cliffhanger? 😫😫
💭 Suppose it got so hot that we all had to work at night and sleep in the day?
💭 Would you still love the sun if it could kill?
I don't read a lot of post-apocalyptic/dystopia fiction books enough to hit me this hard. This book gave me the chills and made me gave way to tears.
A speculative fiction set in the Caribbean (Jamaican precisely), in the year 2084. Climate change has made life on the Caribbean island of Bajacu a grueling trial. The sun is so hot that people must sleep in the day and live and work at night, thus begin the struggle for survival for everyone. Especially for Bibi with her teenage daughter Sorrel, as they were forced to evacuate.
Mother and daughter relationships? ✔️
Climate change activism and its effect on younger generations now and the ones to come? ✔️
Strong female dominance? ✔️
Short, fast-paced, fantastic imaginative world-building with an easy narrative to digest... #DaylightCome is an extremely urgent environmental message to folks and the system about the need for more attention on climatic issues and what we can do individually now and for future younger generations to come.
I think everyone needs to read this... Especially Young Adults
Here's hoping there'll be a sequel to the book 🤞🏽
October 3, 2020
“Here’s hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction”
Far from my typical genre! A very chilling look into the future with climate change. I gave it 4 stars not because the story was for me but because it frightened me! The future we may think of is better technology, space suits and easier access to everything, however McCaulay attempts to take our heads out of the clouds and take a really hard look at our actions and what it could mean for the planet and for our lives, if we continue to be careless with how we treat it.
Thanks to Peepal Tree Press for this gifted copy.
Far from my typical genre! A very chilling look into the future with climate change. I gave it 4 stars not because the story was for me but because it frightened me! The future we may think of is better technology, space suits and easier access to everything, however McCaulay attempts to take our heads out of the clouds and take a really hard look at our actions and what it could mean for the planet and for our lives, if we continue to be careless with how we treat it.
Thanks to Peepal Tree Press for this gifted copy.
January 10, 2022
As with the other Diana McCaulay book that I read recently (Gone to Drift), I came to this book because it was lent to me by a friend. As with that other book, I once again note that this friend is a 70+ year old fairly academic man. And once again I only mention this because this (mostly) has the feel of a YA book (young teenage female protagonist who can hack into top level enemy security, fights like a true warrior and, it seems, falls for a young male teenager towards the end) which surprises me coming from that particular friend.
As with Gone To Drift, I think the reason this friend lent this book to me is because of the environmental aspect: I think this is what is classed as “cli-fi”. The book is set in 2084/85 when the world has become a place where the sun is so intense that life has had to reverse itself with people trying to sleep indoors in the heat of the day and go about their daily business at night. If you spend time outside during the day, you will die. Also, the weather across the planet is in a mess and there are repeated earth tremors that re-shape the landscape. The book is none too subtle in delivering its message about who is to blame for this: when one character is accused of being hardhearted, her response is:
“You think so? I tell you who's hardhearted. Those old people, dead now. They left us this world to deal with and they knew what would happen. But they kept right on with their meat every day and their homes with rooms no one went into and their holidays. I hate every generation before this one, more than the Domins. I hate it that I'll never have a chance to confront them.”
“Those old people, dead now” from a 2084 perspective are me and my generation. And, to be fair, it’s a point well made.
This is very much a book of two halves. The first half is the cli-fi I have described and it develops a world for us. But then the second half seems to forget all about that and becomes a prolonged battle between the good guys (mostly women with the help of a few good men later) and the bad guys (all men). The characters are all very clearly one or the other of good or evil: this is not a book for moral ambiguity! I’m by no means an expert, but the science seems to fall apart in the second half, too. To me, if the sun at sea level is so powerful that a couple of hours in it will kill you, then climbing halfway up a mountainside isn’t going to mean you can suddenly get away with just making sure you put a hat on.
Overall, I thought this started out with a promising idea to explore but then seemed to forget about that idea and just tell a rather predictable, formulaic story.
As with Gone To Drift, I think the reason this friend lent this book to me is because of the environmental aspect: I think this is what is classed as “cli-fi”. The book is set in 2084/85 when the world has become a place where the sun is so intense that life has had to reverse itself with people trying to sleep indoors in the heat of the day and go about their daily business at night. If you spend time outside during the day, you will die. Also, the weather across the planet is in a mess and there are repeated earth tremors that re-shape the landscape. The book is none too subtle in delivering its message about who is to blame for this: when one character is accused of being hardhearted, her response is:
“You think so? I tell you who's hardhearted. Those old people, dead now. They left us this world to deal with and they knew what would happen. But they kept right on with their meat every day and their homes with rooms no one went into and their holidays. I hate every generation before this one, more than the Domins. I hate it that I'll never have a chance to confront them.”
“Those old people, dead now” from a 2084 perspective are me and my generation. And, to be fair, it’s a point well made.
This is very much a book of two halves. The first half is the cli-fi I have described and it develops a world for us. But then the second half seems to forget all about that and becomes a prolonged battle between the good guys (mostly women with the help of a few good men later) and the bad guys (all men). The characters are all very clearly one or the other of good or evil: this is not a book for moral ambiguity! I’m by no means an expert, but the science seems to fall apart in the second half, too. To me, if the sun at sea level is so powerful that a couple of hours in it will kill you, then climbing halfway up a mountainside isn’t going to mean you can suddenly get away with just making sure you put a hat on.
Overall, I thought this started out with a promising idea to explore but then seemed to forget about that idea and just tell a rather predictable, formulaic story.
July 17, 2021
The message being sent by this story is a very important one, We need to take better care of our environment. I am also very glad that this was written by a Caribbean author , as the Caribbean is one of the regions that are already facing repercussions as a result of the growing environmental issues. I also appreciated the fact that the chapters were short as this kept me engaged with the story.
That being said, I found this story boring as hell, hence the 2 stars. The characters were very flat and archetypal and I did not care for them or their struggles. The main characters Bibi and Sorrel are a mother-daughter duo but I found that very hard to believe as Sorrel treated Bibi like she was the greatest burden and the only time we actually saw Bibi's maternal side was in her POV. Other times I was questioning who was the mother and who was the child, as often times Sorrel seemed to parenting Bibi. Also I am very aware of the difference in times and how one had to put themselves first if they wanted to survive.
Though there were hints to different subplots like Colonel Drax and the Toplanders, I felt like the author was doing a bit too much with the plot and that made several scenes come across as rushed and nonsensical (this book was only 194 pages btw).
-----------SPOILERS-----------------------
The last couple pages of the being one of such scenes, like you mean to tell me that a bunch of underfed, starving people were able to overpower well fed guards some of who had militia training? Yes there was the dust storm and all that but even the way that Sorrel got on to the compound in the first place was questionable.
Another thing that I didn't understand was the daylight, how were the Toplanders able to go out in the daytime with just hats and some covering but if the Lowlanders ever thought to do that they would turn to dust quicker than a staked vampire .... just no.
I'm gonna stop here as every thing else I have to say is in spoiler territory. This book was definitely not for me but I would recommend that you give it a read just to see the possible consequences of our actions on the environment.
That being said, I found this story boring as hell, hence the 2 stars. The characters were very flat and archetypal and I did not care for them or their struggles. The main characters Bibi and Sorrel are a mother-daughter duo but I found that very hard to believe as Sorrel treated Bibi like she was the greatest burden and the only time we actually saw Bibi's maternal side was in her POV. Other times I was questioning who was the mother and who was the child, as often times Sorrel seemed to parenting Bibi. Also I am very aware of the difference in times and how one had to put themselves first if they wanted to survive.
Though there were hints to different subplots like Colonel Drax and the Toplanders, I felt like the author was doing a bit too much with the plot and that made several scenes come across as rushed and nonsensical (this book was only 194 pages btw).
-----------SPOILERS-----------------------
The last couple pages of the being one of such scenes, like you mean to tell me that a bunch of underfed, starving people were able to overpower well fed guards some of who had militia training? Yes there was the dust storm and all that but even the way that Sorrel got on to the compound in the first place was questionable.
Another thing that I didn't understand was the daylight, how were the Toplanders able to go out in the daytime with just hats and some covering but if the Lowlanders ever thought to do that they would turn to dust quicker than a staked vampire .... just no.
I'm gonna stop here as every thing else I have to say is in spoiler territory. This book was definitely not for me but I would recommend that you give it a read just to see the possible consequences of our actions on the environment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2020
WOW! Where do I begin?! Everyone needs to read this book ❤️ Set in 2084 we follow the lives of Sorrel and her Mother Bibi set in a futuristic dystopia where climate change has changed the very fabric of civilisation. This book is much more than just a survival story. It’s an honest and raw account of maternal love, friendship and self-sacrifice. Sorrel goes on a journey of self discovery from childhood to womanhood and her zest for life is beautifully captured & written by McCaulay.
This book is so important for our generation as it depicts the ramifications of climate change. Daylight Come covers climate change better than any sci-fi movie ever could. It goes into detail about the long lasting, devastating effects that our actions could have in the future. In a world where people are no longer able to be outside in the daylight due to the extreme temperatures, where food is scarce and society is broken the story of Sorrel and Bibi is not only heartwarming but also a very real warning that if we don’t change our ways now that we are heading down the same irreversible path that creates such an apocalyptic world for future generations.
In the words of Diana McCaulay “Here’s hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction” 🌍💫
I love this book ❤️📚
This book is so important for our generation as it depicts the ramifications of climate change. Daylight Come covers climate change better than any sci-fi movie ever could. It goes into detail about the long lasting, devastating effects that our actions could have in the future. In a world where people are no longer able to be outside in the daylight due to the extreme temperatures, where food is scarce and society is broken the story of Sorrel and Bibi is not only heartwarming but also a very real warning that if we don’t change our ways now that we are heading down the same irreversible path that creates such an apocalyptic world for future generations.
In the words of Diana McCaulay “Here’s hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction” 🌍💫
I love this book ❤️📚
July 2, 2021
Big up to Book of Cinz Book Club for introducing me to this genre of climate fiction aka Cli-Fi which represents one of the most important English language literature trends over the last three decades.
In Diana McCaulay's Daylight Come, readers are thrust into a post-apocalyptic Caribbean, set in 2084, where the only thing deadlier than the sun is old age. We meet Sorrel who yearns to wake in the daylight and escape her half existence. She schemes for the mountains where rumor has it, there is a thriving colony, where you can walk in the day and where food is plenty.
Daylight Come hit close to home for me, as I am sure it will with other readers, especially those living through the COVID19 pandemic, who reminisce on the days when having a curfew was a thing of childhood and not a matter of life or death, where your country was not forced into a State of Emergency because of rapid infection and where we could hop onto an airplane whenever wanted.
It explores very powerful themes of family, especially the bond between mother and daughter, grief, and most importantly the will to not only exist but to live. It explores the hunger for survival and the power of one person to make a difference.
At heart, Daylight Come serves as a warning of the dangerous reality of the future if drastic measures aren't taken to secure a healthier world. It paints a bleak yet realistic picture of the ramifications future generations will face with unbearable temperatures, dwindling food sources, and the crumbling of society as the young rise up against the old.
Diana McCaulay is an Environmental Activist who has combined her life's work with her passion for writing.
In Diana McCaulay's Daylight Come, readers are thrust into a post-apocalyptic Caribbean, set in 2084, where the only thing deadlier than the sun is old age. We meet Sorrel who yearns to wake in the daylight and escape her half existence. She schemes for the mountains where rumor has it, there is a thriving colony, where you can walk in the day and where food is plenty.
Daylight Come hit close to home for me, as I am sure it will with other readers, especially those living through the COVID19 pandemic, who reminisce on the days when having a curfew was a thing of childhood and not a matter of life or death, where your country was not forced into a State of Emergency because of rapid infection and where we could hop onto an airplane whenever wanted.
It explores very powerful themes of family, especially the bond between mother and daughter, grief, and most importantly the will to not only exist but to live. It explores the hunger for survival and the power of one person to make a difference.
At heart, Daylight Come serves as a warning of the dangerous reality of the future if drastic measures aren't taken to secure a healthier world. It paints a bleak yet realistic picture of the ramifications future generations will face with unbearable temperatures, dwindling food sources, and the crumbling of society as the young rise up against the old.
Diana McCaulay is an Environmental Activist who has combined her life's work with her passion for writing.
November 25, 2021
It's 2084 and climate change has made the world so hot that anyone caught outside in daylight will die. Water and food are scarce, a brutal administration is in power, and anger towards the generation whose behavior contributed to the change in climate has led to people over 40 being seen as expendable. Daylight Come is set on a fictional Caribbean island and Sorrel, a young teen, and her mother, Bibi have decided to flee the city for the mountains in hope of finding a way to survive. Daylight Come is a tense read that feels horrifyingly plausible. The world building was effective and McCaulay had me racing through the pages to see what would happen next. As interesting as the world she built was, I was most captivated by the way the environment impacted the relationships between people -- what people were willing to do to survive, what people were willing to give up to survive. This is definitely a read that examines tough choices and hard consequences. My only complaint was that the end felt a little rushed and didn't resolve the full arc of the story. If there is another one coming (I hope there is), then it is fine - but right now, I still want to know more.
June 27, 2021
A pesar de tener muchos puntos a favor, “Daylight Come” no me gustó y terminé leyéndolo verticalmente. Aquí mis razones:
LO POSITIVO
Diana McCaulay se arriesga y nos entrega un género que no es muy común (al menos, no en mi librero): la ficción climatológica. Además, aunque la acción transcurre en una isla ficticia, la autora es jamaicana, por lo que la reflexión en torno al cambio climático es diferente al estándar narrativo en este tipo de historias (las consecuencias del calentamiento global varían muchísimo entre Nueva York y Kingston, por ejemplo).
Destaco también la coherencia con la que la autora establece las reglas de juego del mundo ficcional que ofrece, pues estas resultan claras desde el inicio y eso me ayudó muchísimo a adentrarme con más facilidad en la historia.
Otro punto importante es la cantidad de temas urgentes y necesarios que son puestos sobre la mesa. Si bien el cambio climático es el eje central de la historia, el rol de la mujer en la sociedad y la construcción de lo masculino asociado exclusivamente a la violencia física y sexual aparecen constantemente a lo largo del libro. Este desarrollo en torno a lo femenino y lo masculino y la forma en la que estos se interrelacionan me hizo recordar a The Handmaid's Tale de la gran Margaret Atwood.
Dos frases que me hicieron eco respect a este tema fueron “We’re just people Most of us had sisters” y “You did not find us. We were there already”. La primera de ellas se menciona como argumento para justificar que los hombres de la historia no maltratarán a las mujeres, lo cual me llevó a pensar que, detrás de esa frase que puede parecer inocente y bien intencionada, existe una justificación hacia la violencia proveniente de individuos sin relaciones familiares con mujeres. Absurdo, ¿no? La segunda, por su parte, es utilizada por una de las mujeres como respuesta a un hombre que dice que su grupo, exclusivamente masculino, “encontró” a las mujeres en una cueva. Me llamó la atención porque evidencia la perspectiva falo céntrica desde la que son dichos muchos discursos.
La autora también habla, aunque en menor medida, sobre la falta de empatía de las personas ante situaciones de emergencia colectiva (recordé muchísimo todo lo que sucedió en mi país ante la llegada de la COVID – 19) y el rechazo de la sociedad hacia los ancianos y ancianas por resultarles inútiles para sus intereses (aunque en el libro la ancianidad se alcanza a los 40 años, aproximadamente, recordé uno de los cuentos de Atwood que aparecen en su libro Nueve cuentos malvados, en el que se aborda este tema).
Finalmente, la mirada e interpretación de Sorrel, la joven protagonista, sobre nuestro presente (el pasado narrativo de la historia), resultan curiosas y enriquecedoras. Siempre me he preguntado con qué ojos verán nuestro estilo de vida en el futuro y los momentos en los que Sorrel hace referencia al turismo, los aviones, las playas, las comidas, etc., me permitió calmar un poco mi curiosidad.
LO NEGATIVO
Si bien los puntos destacables son muchos y muy valiosos, hay algunos elementos clave en los que la autora, desde mi perspectiva, no acierta y eso le resta muchísimo (pero muchísimo) al libro.
Por un lado, creo que “Daylight Come” cuenta con una estructura demasiado facilista que está pensada desde la perspectiva del tema y desde una lógica narrativa. Así, el detonante inicial es extremadamente débil y, por ende, poco creíble. Sorrel toma una decisión importante, pero lo hace basada en historias sin confirmar y ante un evento completamente repudiable, sí, pero narrativamente cotidiano y que no presente una urgencia real en el contexto ficcional creado por la autora.
Además, esta estructura débil lleva a algunos huecos narrativos que resultan bastante importantes. Por ejemplo, se supone que la existencia de las tribus es una leyenda y está “censurada” por el gobierno oficial; sin embargo, los habitantes de la isla hablan de ellos, así como de los lowlanders y los toplanders, todo el tiempo. Y encontrar el escondite de una de las tribus resulta completamente sencillo, puestecito ahí para ayudar al personaje principal a cumplir su objetivo primario.
Por otro lado, los personajes no me parecieron bien estructurados, pues no presentaban mayor diferencia entre sí y, por ende, resulta complicado empatizar con ellos. Solo por poner un ejemplo concreto, Sorrel y Bibi, su madre, parecían de la misma edad e, incluso por momentos, la primera aparentaba ser mayor, así como protectora y guía de la segunda.
Finalmente, si bien aplaudo y disfruto con los tópicos que McCauley aborda en esta historia, a la larga, me quedé con la sensación de que se trata de muchos temas y no se ahonda al 100% en ninguno de ellos y hay un ligero sinsabor en ese sentido. La crítica está y es interesante, pero no lleva a nada realmente novedoso.
LO POSITIVO
Diana McCaulay se arriesga y nos entrega un género que no es muy común (al menos, no en mi librero): la ficción climatológica. Además, aunque la acción transcurre en una isla ficticia, la autora es jamaicana, por lo que la reflexión en torno al cambio climático es diferente al estándar narrativo en este tipo de historias (las consecuencias del calentamiento global varían muchísimo entre Nueva York y Kingston, por ejemplo).
Destaco también la coherencia con la que la autora establece las reglas de juego del mundo ficcional que ofrece, pues estas resultan claras desde el inicio y eso me ayudó muchísimo a adentrarme con más facilidad en la historia.
Otro punto importante es la cantidad de temas urgentes y necesarios que son puestos sobre la mesa. Si bien el cambio climático es el eje central de la historia, el rol de la mujer en la sociedad y la construcción de lo masculino asociado exclusivamente a la violencia física y sexual aparecen constantemente a lo largo del libro. Este desarrollo en torno a lo femenino y lo masculino y la forma en la que estos se interrelacionan me hizo recordar a The Handmaid's Tale de la gran Margaret Atwood.
Dos frases que me hicieron eco respect a este tema fueron “We’re just people Most of us had sisters” y “You did not find us. We were there already”. La primera de ellas se menciona como argumento para justificar que los hombres de la historia no maltratarán a las mujeres, lo cual me llevó a pensar que, detrás de esa frase que puede parecer inocente y bien intencionada, existe una justificación hacia la violencia proveniente de individuos sin relaciones familiares con mujeres. Absurdo, ¿no? La segunda, por su parte, es utilizada por una de las mujeres como respuesta a un hombre que dice que su grupo, exclusivamente masculino, “encontró” a las mujeres en una cueva. Me llamó la atención porque evidencia la perspectiva falo céntrica desde la que son dichos muchos discursos.
La autora también habla, aunque en menor medida, sobre la falta de empatía de las personas ante situaciones de emergencia colectiva (recordé muchísimo todo lo que sucedió en mi país ante la llegada de la COVID – 19) y el rechazo de la sociedad hacia los ancianos y ancianas por resultarles inútiles para sus intereses (aunque en el libro la ancianidad se alcanza a los 40 años, aproximadamente, recordé uno de los cuentos de Atwood que aparecen en su libro Nueve cuentos malvados, en el que se aborda este tema).
Finalmente, la mirada e interpretación de Sorrel, la joven protagonista, sobre nuestro presente (el pasado narrativo de la historia), resultan curiosas y enriquecedoras. Siempre me he preguntado con qué ojos verán nuestro estilo de vida en el futuro y los momentos en los que Sorrel hace referencia al turismo, los aviones, las playas, las comidas, etc., me permitió calmar un poco mi curiosidad.
LO NEGATIVO
Si bien los puntos destacables son muchos y muy valiosos, hay algunos elementos clave en los que la autora, desde mi perspectiva, no acierta y eso le resta muchísimo (pero muchísimo) al libro.
Por un lado, creo que “Daylight Come” cuenta con una estructura demasiado facilista que está pensada desde la perspectiva del tema y desde una lógica narrativa. Así, el detonante inicial es extremadamente débil y, por ende, poco creíble. Sorrel toma una decisión importante, pero lo hace basada en historias sin confirmar y ante un evento completamente repudiable, sí, pero narrativamente cotidiano y que no presente una urgencia real en el contexto ficcional creado por la autora.
Además, esta estructura débil lleva a algunos huecos narrativos que resultan bastante importantes. Por ejemplo, se supone que la existencia de las tribus es una leyenda y está “censurada” por el gobierno oficial; sin embargo, los habitantes de la isla hablan de ellos, así como de los lowlanders y los toplanders, todo el tiempo. Y encontrar el escondite de una de las tribus resulta completamente sencillo, puestecito ahí para ayudar al personaje principal a cumplir su objetivo primario.
Por otro lado, los personajes no me parecieron bien estructurados, pues no presentaban mayor diferencia entre sí y, por ende, resulta complicado empatizar con ellos. Solo por poner un ejemplo concreto, Sorrel y Bibi, su madre, parecían de la misma edad e, incluso por momentos, la primera aparentaba ser mayor, así como protectora y guía de la segunda.
Finalmente, si bien aplaudo y disfruto con los tópicos que McCauley aborda en esta historia, a la larga, me quedé con la sensación de que se trata de muchos temas y no se ahonda al 100% en ninguno de ellos y hay un ligero sinsabor en ese sentido. La crítica está y es interesante, pero no lleva a nada realmente novedoso.
June 22, 2021
I really enjoy the climate sci-fi genre, and when Book of Cinz listed this as her June book club pick, I was really excited to read climate fiction written by an author outside of the United States. The passion that Diana McCaulay brings to her subject is apparent, and probably the best part of this book, but this novel just didn't work for me. The writing felt awkward and like it was written for a YA audience, and there were definitely some familiar YA tropes (hello, teenage girl capable of hacking through high-level security to get access to live satellite photos? Teenage girl who is a Warrior? Teenage girl who meets a teenage boy in the last few pages and we get a sense that they're gonna bang?). BUT at the same time, this doesn't feel like a YA novel at all - the subject matter is heavy, .
I took issue with the writing, but I really ground my teeth at the questionable science in this book. Yes, I know that this is a novel, but having formal training in the earth sciences, there were numerous moments that were pure silliness. AND THE ENTIRE PLOTHINGED UPON THE BAD GEOLOGY. I read up on Jamaica's geology, which is super cool, but some of the things that happen in this novel would be impossible unless the author is arguing that climate change led to increased seismicity. There's a lot to that argument, but in summary, it's unlikely that declining groundwater levels would trigger island-wide, large magnitude earthquakes. Also, we learn that the sun is capable of incinerating people at sea level, but at elevation, folks can just wander around with hats and dark glasses? Also, a rain bomb? And hurricanes ceasing because dust storms from the Sahara become more common? And there's no longer groundwater in North America because of fires?
All that being said, I'd definitely read the sequel.
I took issue with the writing, but I really ground my teeth at the questionable science in this book. Yes, I know that this is a novel, but having formal training in the earth sciences, there were numerous moments that were pure silliness. AND THE ENTIRE PLOTHINGED UPON THE BAD GEOLOGY. I read up on Jamaica's geology, which is super cool, but some of the things that happen in this novel would be impossible unless the author is arguing that climate change led to increased seismicity. There's a lot to that argument, but in summary, it's unlikely that declining groundwater levels would trigger island-wide, large magnitude earthquakes. Also, we learn that the sun is capable of incinerating people at sea level, but at elevation, folks can just wander around with hats and dark glasses? Also, a rain bomb? And hurricanes ceasing because dust storms from the Sahara become more common? And there's no longer groundwater in North America because of fires?
All that being said, I'd definitely read the sequel.
October 3, 2020
“I don’t think about humanity. I think about how much of this breadfruit I’m gonna get, if it can be eaten at all. If I’ll ever lie in a river again, or if it’ll be back to licking the underside of rocks and sucking on agaves.”
It’s 2084 and Diana McCaulay’s Jamaica is no longer a paradise: the sun is deadly, food is scarce, nature is close to extinction, and life is solely about survival. We follow Bibi and Sorrel, mother and daughter who are forced to leave the city due to an evacuation order. But Sorrel convinces her mother to head for the mountains where tribal bands are rumored to live in cooler temperatures with more readily available food. But there’s no guarantee they will make it, between having to find shelter from the sun and not knowing if they’ll be welcome.
For me the strongest point about this book is that the plot is believable. It’s not sci-fi and it’s not preachy. It’s a story about people trying to survive after several catastrophic natural events have changed life as it was known to be. McCaulay uses her expertise as an environmental activist to describe what is possible in terms of depletion and extinction, but she also includes a cultural degradation that is intriguing. The family unit ceases to exist. The young are preferred while the old are ‘triaged’ who are despised and blamed for allowing such devastating loss to happen.
This is an interesting adventure with strong female characters who are fierce, decisive, broken, but determined. It’s a well-written, well-paced story that hopefully will make you conscious of what is happening to the environment. I do highly recommend this new book.
It’s 2084 and Diana McCaulay’s Jamaica is no longer a paradise: the sun is deadly, food is scarce, nature is close to extinction, and life is solely about survival. We follow Bibi and Sorrel, mother and daughter who are forced to leave the city due to an evacuation order. But Sorrel convinces her mother to head for the mountains where tribal bands are rumored to live in cooler temperatures with more readily available food. But there’s no guarantee they will make it, between having to find shelter from the sun and not knowing if they’ll be welcome.
For me the strongest point about this book is that the plot is believable. It’s not sci-fi and it’s not preachy. It’s a story about people trying to survive after several catastrophic natural events have changed life as it was known to be. McCaulay uses her expertise as an environmental activist to describe what is possible in terms of depletion and extinction, but she also includes a cultural degradation that is intriguing. The family unit ceases to exist. The young are preferred while the old are ‘triaged’ who are despised and blamed for allowing such devastating loss to happen.
This is an interesting adventure with strong female characters who are fierce, decisive, broken, but determined. It’s a well-written, well-paced story that hopefully will make you conscious of what is happening to the environment. I do highly recommend this new book.
August 6, 2021
McCaulay holds nothing back as she builds the starkness of her climate-decimated world and the existence of her characters. She lays the foundation of the crises that have led up to this present and the social re-workings and newly implemented regimens and power structures that have resulted.
Those at the top have of course found a way to commodify the body and genetics of those less fortunate and have incorporated it into this new social hierarchy where fear and violence rule.
The prose is neither elegant nor poetic but precise and sharp, as it needs to be, to convey a story that could become our future. McCaulay's knowledge and dedication to the environment comes through with clarity as she builds the tension, resentment, fear, and hope that runs through her narrative.
What this book does very well is that it makes the reader sit with our present, look to our future and what it could all too clearly become, asking the questions of who will be indispensable, who will suffer more, what can you do now, will it change anything? How will the older generations fit into the environmentally-focused lens of this generation's? What will we do when our greed and thoughtless use of nature turns against us?
I would have loved more character perspectives as this would have added more nuance to the storyline and would have laid a stronger foundation for character interactions and back-stories.
Those at the top have of course found a way to commodify the body and genetics of those less fortunate and have incorporated it into this new social hierarchy where fear and violence rule.
The prose is neither elegant nor poetic but precise and sharp, as it needs to be, to convey a story that could become our future. McCaulay's knowledge and dedication to the environment comes through with clarity as she builds the tension, resentment, fear, and hope that runs through her narrative.
What this book does very well is that it makes the reader sit with our present, look to our future and what it could all too clearly become, asking the questions of who will be indispensable, who will suffer more, what can you do now, will it change anything? How will the older generations fit into the environmentally-focused lens of this generation's? What will we do when our greed and thoughtless use of nature turns against us?
I would have loved more character perspectives as this would have added more nuance to the storyline and would have laid a stronger foundation for character interactions and back-stories.
June 7, 2021
3.5 - A survival story, a mother-daughter story, an action adventure—and most importantly, an all-too-real warning against a near climate future. The year is 2084 and it’s now too hot to go outside during the day—people on the island that was formerly Jamaica must sleep during the day and work at night. When mother Bibi and teenaged daughter Sorrel are forced to evacuate where they’ve managed to eke out a living, they set out in search of rumored mountain communities while preparing to face fierce feral gangs of animals and people. I really enjoyed this concept and execution, and wish more people would pick up this book! The climax at the end was perhaps a bit rushed, and I always prefer stories that have an element of mystery/trying to figure something out versus just ride along a journey—but overall a really good read.
Read
November 6, 2024An interesting story about a climate dystopia based in Jamaica, how severe natural storms created this dyspotian world and the ways that oppression are used to control what's left of the world's populations in 2080.
June 30, 2021
Different but enjoyable.Im surprised at how much the writer was able to cover in this 188 pages the stories enjoyable .The book is also thoughr provoking and really has me thinking about our impact on the environment now ans for future generations to come.Loved the relationship between Sorrel ans Bibi loved that they were reunited
March 14, 2021
“Daylight Come” is a realistic fictional account and a possibility it may really happen in the very near future if we don’t assess and make changes to the way we leave and treat the Earth on which we live.
In this book set in 2084, we meet a teenager Sorrel and her mom who like the other inhabitants of their island are forced to sleep during the daylight hours and at night, the island comes to life for work, school, etc. This is as a result of climate change and the daylight heat is sweltering and the islanders resolved to stay indoors. This leads to a fight for survival and lead to the decision for Sorrel and her mom Bibi to seek higher ground in the mountains where it is cooler and food is still available. As expected, the journey is without its challenges and themes such a resilience, self-sacrifice, mother-daughter relationship, heroism, permeate through the plot.
The plot was well developed and the author kept me invested as I weave through the chapters. This book was a quick, easy read on a very important issue of the effects of climate change and the fight for survival that would be inevitable.
A line that stuck with me:
“I don’t think about humanity”
- this phrase I clung too bec this is exactly what the previous and present generation did to place us and the future generation in this situation they are now facing. It is exactly what our future would say if we don’t think green.
This was the second book I read by this author (@dianamccaulay) and she always does a great job of developing strong young protagonists in both her books Gone to Drift (Environmental Issue: damaging effects of greed in the fishing industry) & Daylight Come.
I look forward to reading her other books past and possibly future.
In this book set in 2084, we meet a teenager Sorrel and her mom who like the other inhabitants of their island are forced to sleep during the daylight hours and at night, the island comes to life for work, school, etc. This is as a result of climate change and the daylight heat is sweltering and the islanders resolved to stay indoors. This leads to a fight for survival and lead to the decision for Sorrel and her mom Bibi to seek higher ground in the mountains where it is cooler and food is still available. As expected, the journey is without its challenges and themes such a resilience, self-sacrifice, mother-daughter relationship, heroism, permeate through the plot.
The plot was well developed and the author kept me invested as I weave through the chapters. This book was a quick, easy read on a very important issue of the effects of climate change and the fight for survival that would be inevitable.
A line that stuck with me:
“I don’t think about humanity”
- this phrase I clung too bec this is exactly what the previous and present generation did to place us and the future generation in this situation they are now facing. It is exactly what our future would say if we don’t think green.
This was the second book I read by this author (@dianamccaulay) and she always does a great job of developing strong young protagonists in both her books Gone to Drift (Environmental Issue: damaging effects of greed in the fishing industry) & Daylight Come.
I look forward to reading her other books past and possibly future.
Read
March 6, 2021Daylight Come by Diana McCauley masterfully explores effects that the climate crisis could have on Caribbean islands and the people who call them home.
Antigua and Barbuda experiences frequent droughts and is one of the driest islands in the Caribbean. Though nowhere near as intense, the water rationing experienced by Sorrel in the capital city feels very familiar.
Watching Sorrel and her mother Bibi navagate their complex and often tumultuous relationship was refreshingly realistic. The resentment that those who've inherited this broken earth have towards older generations is clear and feels justified. However, the cruel treatment of the young children, older adults and the "weak" is heartbreaking. I loved the strong, resourceful, independent girls and women that we encounter thoughtout the novel.
Caribbean countries are already facing the disastrous environmental, ecomonic and health consequences associated with these events.
You can swipe to check out some photos of what was one of my favorite beaches but is now as my nephew refers to it..."The Dead Beach".
These photos are from the weekend and not only does it smell like death but the seaweed is filled with sea creatures that died after becoming trapped. The water is also much higher than a few years ago!
Many of the events experienced by the characters are simply more catastrophic verisons of events that we are already experiencing: droughts, dust storms, "rainbombs", floods and multiple CAT 5 hurricanes.
Daylight Come is more than just a work of speculative fiction. It is a prediction of what could happen if major changes don't occur.
Antigua and Barbuda experiences frequent droughts and is one of the driest islands in the Caribbean. Though nowhere near as intense, the water rationing experienced by Sorrel in the capital city feels very familiar.
Watching Sorrel and her mother Bibi navagate their complex and often tumultuous relationship was refreshingly realistic. The resentment that those who've inherited this broken earth have towards older generations is clear and feels justified. However, the cruel treatment of the young children, older adults and the "weak" is heartbreaking. I loved the strong, resourceful, independent girls and women that we encounter thoughtout the novel.
Caribbean countries are already facing the disastrous environmental, ecomonic and health consequences associated with these events.
You can swipe to check out some photos of what was one of my favorite beaches but is now as my nephew refers to it..."The Dead Beach".
These photos are from the weekend and not only does it smell like death but the seaweed is filled with sea creatures that died after becoming trapped. The water is also much higher than a few years ago!
Many of the events experienced by the characters are simply more catastrophic verisons of events that we are already experiencing: droughts, dust storms, "rainbombs", floods and multiple CAT 5 hurricanes.
Daylight Come is more than just a work of speculative fiction. It is a prediction of what could happen if major changes don't occur.
June 6, 2021
This was my first foray into the genre of climate fiction and what a way to begin. The novel is a blend of dystopian fiction that strangely reminded me of The Hunger Games and a warning to all of the necessity to protect our environment else we face disaster.
In Bana it is so hot in the day that everything must be done at night. The island faces constant threat from rising sea levels and food and water are scarce. Pets have become feral animals hunting in packs that will kill you and eat you. Youth is worshipped while the old are harassed and sometimes brutally murdered for their part in causing the crisis. Birth rates are low and there is general despair. Sorrel’s only hope is to leave Bana with her mother and trek upland to see what is there.
I enjoyed all of the original thought behind this story. The premise was for me very well thought out and written. What was missing in my opinion was a deeper characterization. I wanted to get to know Sorrel more. I wanted to know a little more about her mother and about one or two of the other girls in the tribe. That would have made it a richer story rather than just an adventure in a harsh environment.
Even without this, I found the novel difficult to put down and I look forward to reading lots more from this author.
In Bana it is so hot in the day that everything must be done at night. The island faces constant threat from rising sea levels and food and water are scarce. Pets have become feral animals hunting in packs that will kill you and eat you. Youth is worshipped while the old are harassed and sometimes brutally murdered for their part in causing the crisis. Birth rates are low and there is general despair. Sorrel’s only hope is to leave Bana with her mother and trek upland to see what is there.
I enjoyed all of the original thought behind this story. The premise was for me very well thought out and written. What was missing in my opinion was a deeper characterization. I wanted to get to know Sorrel more. I wanted to know a little more about her mother and about one or two of the other girls in the tribe. That would have made it a richer story rather than just an adventure in a harsh environment.
Even without this, I found the novel difficult to put down and I look forward to reading lots more from this author.
May 27, 2021
This Earth Day I feel it necessary to post my review of this book.
As the author said - “Here’s hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction”
Would you still love the sun if it could kill?
The year 2084, this book, set in a fictional Caribbean island, the sun is so hot that it kills. People need to sleep during the day and work or go to online school at night. There is no living – only SURVIVAL.
Water, Food and the Internet are luxuries.
No one lives past 60 – at 40 you are considered a risk.
The fictional youth looked at the older population living on the island with disdain, blaming them for not trying to stop climate change.
Daylight Comes brings awareness to climate change and how our “little” actions can contribute to overall destruction. And suitably so as the author, Diana McCaulay, is an Environmental Activist in Jamaica.
I was honestly captivated and became obsessed by the themes of trauma, grief, survival, mother-daughter relationships and morality.
This book reminded me of The Chrysalids by John Wyndham.
This is a MUST READ!
GO GET IT!
As the author said - “Here’s hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction”
Would you still love the sun if it could kill?
The year 2084, this book, set in a fictional Caribbean island, the sun is so hot that it kills. People need to sleep during the day and work or go to online school at night. There is no living – only SURVIVAL.
Water, Food and the Internet are luxuries.
No one lives past 60 – at 40 you are considered a risk.
The fictional youth looked at the older population living on the island with disdain, blaming them for not trying to stop climate change.
Daylight Comes brings awareness to climate change and how our “little” actions can contribute to overall destruction. And suitably so as the author, Diana McCaulay, is an Environmental Activist in Jamaica.
I was honestly captivated and became obsessed by the themes of trauma, grief, survival, mother-daughter relationships and morality.
This book reminded me of The Chrysalids by John Wyndham.
This is a MUST READ!
GO GET IT!
December 27, 2020
I heard the author talking about this book on the radio and thought it sounded a really interesting premise and setting. I didn’t realise it was. YA fiction book when I bought it and although I like that genre I feel that a full bodied adult literary fiction take on the setting would have been far more interesting and complex. As it was it felt a bit Hunger Games-ish but the character development wasn’t really there and I can’t say I particularly cared about anyone in the narrative. Feels a bit of a great opportunity wasted to me.
April 25, 2021
I really really really wanted to love this book.
I think it's an important message that could have benefitted from further refinement.
An important reminder of the potential consequences of the very real climate issues we face... However suspension of disbelief is required to truly enjoy
I think it's an important message that could have benefitted from further refinement.
An important reminder of the potential consequences of the very real climate issues we face... However suspension of disbelief is required to truly enjoy
June 6, 2021
I rarely buy physical books and am quite selective about what I add to my bookshelf, often only buying fiction I've already read and loved, or from a familiar author. Though I hadn't read Daylight Come or anything else by McCaulay, after hearing so much about this climate fiction set on a fictional Caribbean island, I knew I had to get my own copy. As a student and professional in the environmental field, and coming from Trinidad & Tobago, speculative fiction about extreme heat in the Caribbean is right in line with my interests. I did not regret it!
This book has a fascinating premise, looking into the future of a world ravaged by the climate crisis, and it totally does it justice in every way. This is such thoughtful, nuanced, realistic world-building, addressing all aspects of how these changes affect the economy, society, technology availability and use, gender and generational dynamics, settlement and everyday life. I'm already familiar with a range of climate impacts, and these are all so well integrated as the worst potential of current developments is extrapolated to the future. I especially appreciated the attention to social dynamics, of how women are treated, of how women and men regard each other, of anger toward the elderly, of the violent regulation of society by the Domins, and of changes in fertility and the new system for reproduction. And its specificity to the Caribbean, illustrating the worst threats to the region, is simply superb. The way these impacts were integrated into the story and setting in such a pervasive way was so well done.
The interpersonal relationships fit into this setting really well, too. We see the different groups within society, how they interact with each other, within themselves and with newcomers. It was very well balanced and avoided demonizing any group. Though the elderly are thought of as useless and are hated for their contribution to the situation we see Bibi as someone of that age group, and though men are feared for possible violence we see a group of men who want no part of that. Sorrel and Bibi's journey and their connection as daughter and mother are beautifully explored. I also enjoyed Sorrel's friendship with her friend Emrallie, the leadership of their Zorah Caroni, and the dynamics of a female-only Tribe. The narrative of their journey to find a better life, of fighting to keep hope that a better life is possible, and to take action to achieve it, is incredibly compelling.
While a lot of people really loved this book, I think I didn't have quite that level of enjoyment because of two things. Firstly, I'm already very familiar with climate issues, so this story didn't have the shock value it has for many, where it can act as a wake-up call. Secondly, the writing style doesn't align that much with my own personal taste - it's very concise, straightforward and sparse, direct in telling the tale. Though I wouldn't say that this book is now a personal favourite, I deeply appreciate and would highly recommend it - it feels like a snapshot of a possible future, and is a highly effective work of storytelling and climate communication that engages the imagination and awakens emotions and awareness in a way that's so necessary today.
This is a book that will stay with me, and that has a well-earned place in the library of any environmentalist, Caribbean reader, or anyone with an interest in the issues addressed.
This book has a fascinating premise, looking into the future of a world ravaged by the climate crisis, and it totally does it justice in every way. This is such thoughtful, nuanced, realistic world-building, addressing all aspects of how these changes affect the economy, society, technology availability and use, gender and generational dynamics, settlement and everyday life. I'm already familiar with a range of climate impacts, and these are all so well integrated as the worst potential of current developments is extrapolated to the future. I especially appreciated the attention to social dynamics, of how women are treated, of how women and men regard each other, of anger toward the elderly, of the violent regulation of society by the Domins, and of changes in fertility and the new system for reproduction. And its specificity to the Caribbean, illustrating the worst threats to the region, is simply superb. The way these impacts were integrated into the story and setting in such a pervasive way was so well done.
The interpersonal relationships fit into this setting really well, too. We see the different groups within society, how they interact with each other, within themselves and with newcomers. It was very well balanced and avoided demonizing any group. Though the elderly are thought of as useless and are hated for their contribution to the situation we see Bibi as someone of that age group, and though men are feared for possible violence we see a group of men who want no part of that. Sorrel and Bibi's journey and their connection as daughter and mother are beautifully explored. I also enjoyed Sorrel's friendship with her friend Emrallie, the leadership of their Zorah Caroni, and the dynamics of a female-only Tribe. The narrative of their journey to find a better life, of fighting to keep hope that a better life is possible, and to take action to achieve it, is incredibly compelling.
While a lot of people really loved this book, I think I didn't have quite that level of enjoyment because of two things. Firstly, I'm already very familiar with climate issues, so this story didn't have the shock value it has for many, where it can act as a wake-up call. Secondly, the writing style doesn't align that much with my own personal taste - it's very concise, straightforward and sparse, direct in telling the tale. Though I wouldn't say that this book is now a personal favourite, I deeply appreciate and would highly recommend it - it feels like a snapshot of a possible future, and is a highly effective work of storytelling and climate communication that engages the imagination and awakens emotions and awareness in a way that's so necessary today.
This is a book that will stay with me, and that has a well-earned place in the library of any environmentalist, Caribbean reader, or anyone with an interest in the issues addressed.
May 24, 2021
Guata! Ummmm, where the heck do I even begin with this book? Let's just say that it kept me up all night and you should definitely read it!
According to Diana McCaulay, "Here’s to hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction." I truly believe that this book would forever be in this category.
Set in 2084, we follow the lives of 14-year-old Sorrel, who cannot sleep during the day, and her Mother Bibi who works for the government. Bibi struggles to make ends meet for her daughter and the constant moving from different places. Sorrel was able to convince her mother for them to move to the mountains where it is much cooler to survive from the heat.
After they got to the mountains and met the tribal family that Sorrel was always reading about and her friend have been telling her about. I felt heartbroken after Bibi left because of her age and she couldn't stay with the Tribe. Bibi didn't even say goodbye to Sorrel, she just up and left. But this is a sacrifice that I'm pretty sure that any mother would make just to protect their children. The relationship between Sorrel and her Mother Bibi was everything to me. The characters were very relatable and of course believable!
What stood out to me:
"She wanted to thank her for her sacrifice, for saving her from having to choose. She often wondered if she would ever feel love like that." ---- This made me think of my mom and how much sacrifices she would have made raising 5 children growing up struggling to make ends meet. Putting our future first. Makes me wonder about what she wanted to be as a child, did having children changed all of her dreams. If she could have gone back in time would not have us to have a better future?
“Don’t you want children?” “Children? To have a baby? To be torn apart from the inside? Up here? And then see them die? For what?” ----- I feel the same way, I love children but I want none of my own. I feel like this world we live in ain't a place for them.
This is the kind of book that makes you question reality, what if this really becomes reality? What is this book is just a prediction of what would happen when we get to 2084 or even before we get to that time? Ain't gonna lie but this makes me so frightened for what the future holds!
I read this book earlier this month and it hasn't left my thoughts since then. I keep thinking about all the "what ifs" that this book entails. I've never really taken Climate Change this seriously, but this book really and truly changes my perspectives on the world and how we should take better care of it. I have convinced myself that if we don't change our actions, everything that was mentioned in this book will appear in our future. Can you imagine living in a world where you cannot go outside, just because the heat would kill, that is just crazy and just does not sit well with me. We need to change this world to make it a better place.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Daylight Come! It kept me engaged from start to finish and I will 100% recommend this book to everyone to read.
According to Diana McCaulay, "Here’s to hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction." I truly believe that this book would forever be in this category.
Set in 2084, we follow the lives of 14-year-old Sorrel, who cannot sleep during the day, and her Mother Bibi who works for the government. Bibi struggles to make ends meet for her daughter and the constant moving from different places. Sorrel was able to convince her mother for them to move to the mountains where it is much cooler to survive from the heat.
After they got to the mountains and met the tribal family that Sorrel was always reading about and her friend have been telling her about. I felt heartbroken after Bibi left because of her age and she couldn't stay with the Tribe. Bibi didn't even say goodbye to Sorrel, she just up and left. But this is a sacrifice that I'm pretty sure that any mother would make just to protect their children. The relationship between Sorrel and her Mother Bibi was everything to me. The characters were very relatable and of course believable!
What stood out to me:
"She wanted to thank her for her sacrifice, for saving her from having to choose. She often wondered if she would ever feel love like that." ---- This made me think of my mom and how much sacrifices she would have made raising 5 children growing up struggling to make ends meet. Putting our future first. Makes me wonder about what she wanted to be as a child, did having children changed all of her dreams. If she could have gone back in time would not have us to have a better future?
“Don’t you want children?” “Children? To have a baby? To be torn apart from the inside? Up here? And then see them die? For what?” ----- I feel the same way, I love children but I want none of my own. I feel like this world we live in ain't a place for them.
This is the kind of book that makes you question reality, what if this really becomes reality? What is this book is just a prediction of what would happen when we get to 2084 or even before we get to that time? Ain't gonna lie but this makes me so frightened for what the future holds!
I read this book earlier this month and it hasn't left my thoughts since then. I keep thinking about all the "what ifs" that this book entails. I've never really taken Climate Change this seriously, but this book really and truly changes my perspectives on the world and how we should take better care of it. I have convinced myself that if we don't change our actions, everything that was mentioned in this book will appear in our future. Can you imagine living in a world where you cannot go outside, just because the heat would kill, that is just crazy and just does not sit well with me. We need to change this world to make it a better place.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Daylight Come! It kept me engaged from start to finish and I will 100% recommend this book to everyone to read.
June 21, 2021
What an exciting and edifying read. I am blown away.
I started this book and I honestly could not believe what I was reading. Even in this fictional based novel it all felt soo real especially with the simple yet amazing writing of Diana McCaulay. There are so many different elements which she effectively took the reader through effortlessly.
The bond shared between mother and daughter in a very uncertain time, an experience which added to the complexity and depth of that bond. It was beautiful to read how she crafted that bond into the title of this novel. The writer also amazingly touched on a bit of romance between the protagonist's, Sorrel, parents. This was just one more element which was so smoothe and eloquently put.
Next is the theme of the relationship between us, humans, and our environment, which really causes me to question the value I put on the importance of mother nature and just how magnificent mother nature is and how important it is in our lives. Imagining our world one day becoming just as chaotic or terrifying as the writer describes is worrying for me.
The writer even took the reader on an actual adventure which really just brought me back to when I was a child and now getting into the love of reading. I lived for adventure and it was beautiful to relive that in such a well crafted novel. As the novel progressed it was almost topographical in its presentation, as the writer's storytelling created this element as she explains the journey Sorrel went on as the novel progressed to its end. I guess it definitely goes to show how passionate the writer is as an environmental activist.
All that's left to say is Well Done! Amazing! A top read for 2021.
I started this book and I honestly could not believe what I was reading. Even in this fictional based novel it all felt soo real especially with the simple yet amazing writing of Diana McCaulay. There are so many different elements which she effectively took the reader through effortlessly.
The bond shared between mother and daughter in a very uncertain time, an experience which added to the complexity and depth of that bond. It was beautiful to read how she crafted that bond into the title of this novel. The writer also amazingly touched on a bit of romance between the protagonist's, Sorrel, parents. This was just one more element which was so smoothe and eloquently put.
Next is the theme of the relationship between us, humans, and our environment, which really causes me to question the value I put on the importance of mother nature and just how magnificent mother nature is and how important it is in our lives. Imagining our world one day becoming just as chaotic or terrifying as the writer describes is worrying for me.
The writer even took the reader on an actual adventure which really just brought me back to when I was a child and now getting into the love of reading. I lived for adventure and it was beautiful to relive that in such a well crafted novel. As the novel progressed it was almost topographical in its presentation, as the writer's storytelling created this element as she explains the journey Sorrel went on as the novel progressed to its end. I guess it definitely goes to show how passionate the writer is as an environmental activist.
All that's left to say is Well Done! Amazing! A top read for 2021.
September 14, 2021
There are some many things I loved and so many stood out about this novel and:
1. A Caribbean novel set in the Jamaica written by a Jamaican author. The author is an environmental activist so that adds another level to the novel. '"Here's to hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction"
2. Although it's a post apocalyptic/science fiction novel, it feels real and it feels like it could be the worlds reality. It is a warning of a possible future. Especially in light of the UN report released on Climate Change a few months. With the fires in Australia and the Brazilian amazon, the massive floods in Germany, the frequent formation of storms and hurricanes etc. The report signaled a 'code red for humanity'.
3. The blame and hatred for the older people and the previous generation depicted by beatings in streets-
“You think so? I tell you who’s hardhearted. Those old people, dead now. They left us this world to deal with and they knew what would happen. But they kept right on with their meat every day and their homes with rooms no one went into and their holidays. I hate every generation before this one, more than the Domins. I hate it that I’ll never have a chance to confront them.”
4. The dynamics of the mother daughter relationship between Bibi and Sorrel.
5. Strong, complex, likable female characters.
6. How fast paced the story moves as it built to the climax. The plot didn't linger unnecessarily and every element contributed to the narrative.
My only issue is that I think the story should've been much longer... or there should be a sequel. I highly recommend this book both for the message and the thrilling story.
1. A Caribbean novel set in the Jamaica written by a Jamaican author. The author is an environmental activist so that adds another level to the novel. '"Here's to hoping this book remains forever in the category of speculative fiction"
2. Although it's a post apocalyptic/science fiction novel, it feels real and it feels like it could be the worlds reality. It is a warning of a possible future. Especially in light of the UN report released on Climate Change a few months. With the fires in Australia and the Brazilian amazon, the massive floods in Germany, the frequent formation of storms and hurricanes etc. The report signaled a 'code red for humanity'.
3. The blame and hatred for the older people and the previous generation depicted by beatings in streets-
“You think so? I tell you who’s hardhearted. Those old people, dead now. They left us this world to deal with and they knew what would happen. But they kept right on with their meat every day and their homes with rooms no one went into and their holidays. I hate every generation before this one, more than the Domins. I hate it that I’ll never have a chance to confront them.”
4. The dynamics of the mother daughter relationship between Bibi and Sorrel.
5. Strong, complex, likable female characters.
6. How fast paced the story moves as it built to the climax. The plot didn't linger unnecessarily and every element contributed to the narrative.
My only issue is that I think the story should've been much longer... or there should be a sequel. I highly recommend this book both for the message and the thrilling story.
June 23, 2024
I thought the Sci Fi and Speculative Fiction genres had lost me this year but this novel drew me right back in. I was hooked from the first chapter. A world where you sleep during the day and live at night? Sign me up! On second thought, the circumstances for this shift in circadian rhythm are less than ideal. The climate crisis and its subsequent iterations have significantly altered how humans, and other organisms, live and the fight to survive is real!
The story follows the journey Sorrel (yes Sorrel) and her mother take to find somewhere suitable to live as the low lying area they were in previously must now be evacuated. Reading about how drastically the world changed on account of the climate crisis was a bit unnerving seeing as how we are at the tip of the (dwindling) icebergs of said crisis. Both mother and daughter are resourceful but youth clearly has the advantage in this world and a sacrifice is ultimately made.
The imagery within the novel was great and I felt like I was right alongside the characters doing my best to survive (highly doubt I would have lasted very long tbh) as I “sped” through the book.
The only con I have with this book was the ending felt rushed compared the journey it took to get there. I wanted a bit more. Another 50 pages would not have hurt. Unless there's a sequel planned 👀? If so, sign me up.
The story follows the journey Sorrel (yes Sorrel) and her mother take to find somewhere suitable to live as the low lying area they were in previously must now be evacuated. Reading about how drastically the world changed on account of the climate crisis was a bit unnerving seeing as how we are at the tip of the (dwindling) icebergs of said crisis. Both mother and daughter are resourceful but youth clearly has the advantage in this world and a sacrifice is ultimately made.
The imagery within the novel was great and I felt like I was right alongside the characters doing my best to survive (highly doubt I would have lasted very long tbh) as I “sped” through the book.
The only con I have with this book was the ending felt rushed compared the journey it took to get there. I wanted a bit more. Another 50 pages would not have hurt. Unless there's a sequel planned 👀? If so, sign me up.
November 16, 2021
Riveting and Thought-provoking
Daylight Come is one of the best books I've read for 2021. I loved it!
When I read this book, I could see every scene, every character, every emotion unfolding like a movie straight out of Hollywood.
This is my first book written by Diana McCaulay, and it certainly won't be my last. The writing was absolutely amazing. Everything was so clear and descriptive. I felt transported into the pages; I felt like I was one of the characters!
What I liked most about this book though, was just how thought-provoking it was. It was almost scary to think that the world could become such a place, a place so savage with people struggling to survive...it really made me think about the world we are living in now and what it could really be like 60 years from now.
Whew!
If you love a well-written, thrilling, action-packed read that makes you think about what could be, then this one is for you.
Give it a read. Thank me later!
Daylight Come is one of the best books I've read for 2021. I loved it!
When I read this book, I could see every scene, every character, every emotion unfolding like a movie straight out of Hollywood.
This is my first book written by Diana McCaulay, and it certainly won't be my last. The writing was absolutely amazing. Everything was so clear and descriptive. I felt transported into the pages; I felt like I was one of the characters!
What I liked most about this book though, was just how thought-provoking it was. It was almost scary to think that the world could become such a place, a place so savage with people struggling to survive...it really made me think about the world we are living in now and what it could really be like 60 years from now.
Whew!
If you love a well-written, thrilling, action-packed read that makes you think about what could be, then this one is for you.
Give it a read. Thank me later!
April 23, 2023
Imaginative and well-written, Daylight Come is set in the year 2084. Sorrel and her mother Bibi live in hell. The sun is so hot on their Caribbean island of Bajacu that people can only move around at night. What follows is a tense, adventure-filled journey where self-sacrifice, morality, and the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter clashes with those who would exploit the defenseless. Unfortunately, I have no problem believing this gruesome speculative scenario might well prove true. In fact, it might come sooner, and it might be even worse. We leave Sorrel and Bibi perched on the brink of a brave new world. But whoever thinks the rapid acceleration of climate change combined with the worldwide lack of decency and humanity won’t negatively affect vulnerable Caribbean islands has their head in the sand. Loss of biodiversity combined with the increase of tribal and economic war makes this apocalyptic tale seem frighteningly believable.
June 15, 2021
"Would dying of a heatstroke hurt? Would it burn like the searing rock on her cheek? Might have been better to be caught in the frozen parts of the world. Freezing seemed less painful than burning."
Sci-fi isn't really my thing. But this book was really good. Maybe because it is about our impending crisis with global warming? But once I got into it, it was hard to put down.
The story follows a mother and daughter who live, in what used to be, Jamaica in 2084. People can no longer go out in the day time because the sun is too hot and will kill you. Food will not grow. The water is drying up. And everyone is constantly on the move to try and find a place that is inhabitable.
This book has a lot of action and a lot of heartbreak. It really was a great book of what could happen if we don't start taking this crisis more seriously.
Sci-fi isn't really my thing. But this book was really good. Maybe because it is about our impending crisis with global warming? But once I got into it, it was hard to put down.
The story follows a mother and daughter who live, in what used to be, Jamaica in 2084. People can no longer go out in the day time because the sun is too hot and will kill you. Food will not grow. The water is drying up. And everyone is constantly on the move to try and find a place that is inhabitable.
This book has a lot of action and a lot of heartbreak. It really was a great book of what could happen if we don't start taking this crisis more seriously.
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