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Where the Light Gets In
For anyone who has ever loved and lost, and dared to rise again
Delphi Hoffman, a wild child living in London, is finally getting her life together with a new love affair and the offer of a coveted job – until she receives the phone call she hoped would never arrive.
‘It’s time.’
Her mother Vivien’s terminal illness has reached its tipping point and she summons Delphi to Australia to help her to euthanise. Unable to deny her mother’s suffering, or her promise to her of a good death, Delphi reluctantly returns to her mother for the last time.
This is a story of the ties of family that enmesh in love and death, and the journey back to self in its aftermath. As Delphi is blown onto the wasteland of grief and shame, she has to discover where her mother’s life ends and she begins amid the atomic fallout her actions have unleashed.
Incandescent and extraordinary, Where the Light Gets In heralds the arrival of a powerful new voice in Australian fiction.
Delphi Hoffman, a wild child living in London, is finally getting her life together with a new love affair and the offer of a coveted job – until she receives the phone call she hoped would never arrive.
‘It’s time.’
Her mother Vivien’s terminal illness has reached its tipping point and she summons Delphi to Australia to help her to euthanise. Unable to deny her mother’s suffering, or her promise to her of a good death, Delphi reluctantly returns to her mother for the last time.
This is a story of the ties of family that enmesh in love and death, and the journey back to self in its aftermath. As Delphi is blown onto the wasteland of grief and shame, she has to discover where her mother’s life ends and she begins amid the atomic fallout her actions have unleashed.
Incandescent and extraordinary, Where the Light Gets In heralds the arrival of a powerful new voice in Australian fiction.
- GenresFiction
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 2, 2022
4.5
Confession: I picked this audiobook because I liked the title and the cover. Where The Light Gets In is such a fortuitous discovery.
The writing is sublime, I was taken with it from the beginning. It could be argued that it is too crafted, but hey, you don't get many chances to impress in this business, also, if you've got it, flaunt it. :-) Each sentence was polished and evocative and I found myself paying extra attention to the words.
The story was fascinating as well - Delphi Hoffman is twenty-six, an artist who's not creating anything, working as a waitress in London, feeling lost. Her beloved mother, who lives in Tasmania, Australia, has an incurable brain disease and is contemplating euthanasia, well, killing herself, as euthanasia is not legal at that time. (NB: As of 2021, all Australian states have passed voluntary assisted dying legislation.) Delphi goes to visit her. She has to return back to London. She's drifting, with no place to live, she's crashing at some friends' place. She's got all sorts of experiences. She's trying to reconnect with her cold and shut-down father, who's remarried. There's a lot of bitterness and unexplained memories and emotions. Poor Delphi just can't get a break.
Her life becomes even more complicated and complex. I'll leave it here so I don't give away spoilers.
This is a novel about grief, forgiving oneself and others, and finding one's place in the world.
Zoe Coyle narrated her novel and she was splendid. Some people have so many different talents.
While imperfect, this was one impressive novel and I'm glad I came across it. Looking forward to reading whatever Coyle writes next.
Confession: I picked this audiobook because I liked the title and the cover. Where The Light Gets In is such a fortuitous discovery.
The writing is sublime, I was taken with it from the beginning. It could be argued that it is too crafted, but hey, you don't get many chances to impress in this business, also, if you've got it, flaunt it. :-) Each sentence was polished and evocative and I found myself paying extra attention to the words.
The story was fascinating as well - Delphi Hoffman is twenty-six, an artist who's not creating anything, working as a waitress in London, feeling lost. Her beloved mother, who lives in Tasmania, Australia, has an incurable brain disease and is contemplating euthanasia, well, killing herself, as euthanasia is not legal at that time. (NB: As of 2021, all Australian states have passed voluntary assisted dying legislation.) Delphi goes to visit her. She has to return back to London. She's drifting, with no place to live, she's crashing at some friends' place. She's got all sorts of experiences. She's trying to reconnect with her cold and shut-down father, who's remarried. There's a lot of bitterness and unexplained memories and emotions. Poor Delphi just can't get a break.
Her life becomes even more complicated and complex. I'll leave it here so I don't give away spoilers.
This is a novel about grief, forgiving oneself and others, and finding one's place in the world.
Zoe Coyle narrated her novel and she was splendid. Some people have so many different talents.
While imperfect, this was one impressive novel and I'm glad I came across it. Looking forward to reading whatever Coyle writes next.
March 20, 2022
I loved this book. Such an assured and wise debut. I read it in four sittings and could not put it down. I laughed, I cried and emerged richer for the experience. It's an important contribution to the legalised euthanasia debate, but also an exquisite exploration of the nature and complexity of grief. Ultimately, it's about love and friendship. Highly recommend.
May 13, 2022
The first few chapters with their beautiful writing and topical subject (euthanasia) had me ready to rate this book 5 stars. But the argument had already been fought and won (or lost depending on your point of view) and it became clear that this is actually a coming of age story about immature and insecure Delphi. She crashes from one disaster to a worse, putting herself in strife and danger without thought or planning. I just found her exasperating
August 12, 2022
DNF. I got halfway and am giving it 2 stars only because there is some good writing to be found in here. The book is drowning in way too much metaphorical and flowery language. I feel like this author was let down by a rubbish editor who could have guided her use of poetic device and flagged the storyline components that were completely absurd. While I was interested in the protagonist, there were just too many implausible and flat out ridiculous elements to the storyline for me to persevere. Why would Delphi's mother need her to come to Australia to assist in euthanising her if she was only planning to go and do it herself? And why would her mother, who had been planning her death for months by collecting pills and a death hood, not go through the plan with Delphi in minute detail, instead leaving Delphi to clean up evidence in a panic and run from the house? Or for that matter, not to take off the emergency fob that she was wearing around her neck and must surely have thought about? Their "final" day and conversations also just didn't feel authentic at all. One quick plea for forgiveness for a baby brother drowned on her watch as a small child and it's done and dusted.
I wanted to enjoy this book and the premise seemed very engaging, such a shame.
I wanted to enjoy this book and the premise seemed very engaging, such a shame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
Really couldn’t get around this, the premise and reviews sounded so promising but this was butchered so bad.
The author crammed about 100 different plot lines into this one novel and yet it was still such a drag to finish. So much of it just made no sense or had no relevance to the overarching story. A cult, pregnancy, homelessness, swimming accident huh so many plotlines began and then were just abandoned.
I have so many questions !!! How did Art get off so easy after letting Delphi go to a cult? How does Delphi somehow find random strangers who let her stay in their houses? How is Delphi completely broke but also able to live in London and then travel 😵💫
I found the writing too hyperbolic and repetitive and couldn’t really find sympathy for anyone. There was not one fully fleshed out character and so much of the nicknames and circumstances were really cringe.
The author crammed about 100 different plot lines into this one novel and yet it was still such a drag to finish. So much of it just made no sense or had no relevance to the overarching story. A cult, pregnancy, homelessness, swimming accident huh so many plotlines began and then were just abandoned.
I have so many questions !!! How did Art get off so easy after letting Delphi go to a cult? How does Delphi somehow find random strangers who let her stay in their houses? How is Delphi completely broke but also able to live in London and then travel 😵💫
I found the writing too hyperbolic and repetitive and couldn’t really find sympathy for anyone. There was not one fully fleshed out character and so much of the nicknames and circumstances were really cringe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2022
The premise of this book sounded promising enough, but it’s not what it claimed to be.
Delphi calls her mother mama calls her dad by his name. Her mother calls her my little flower. WTF is that? It feels like I’m in a bizarre play.
If you hate your father so much why TF you thought it’s a good idea to show up unannounced and expect to stay? It’s not like you don’t have any other options.
I was gonna give it till 50% then they started drinking vomit inducing tea with a shaman, a freaking shaman.
So yeah I DNFed at 34%.
Delphi calls her mother mama calls her dad by his name. Her mother calls her my little flower. WTF is that? It feels like I’m in a bizarre play.
If you hate your father so much why TF you thought it’s a good idea to show up unannounced and expect to stay? It’s not like you don’t have any other options.
I was gonna give it till 50% then they started drinking vomit inducing tea with a shaman, a freaking shaman.
So yeah I DNFed at 34%.
July 9, 2022
I wanted to like this book more than I did. What could have been a deep storyline with Delphi’s mothers euthanasia translated into the most random book with multiple odd storyline’s and characters that didn’t make sense. Delphi formed these deep connections to characters so quickly that I had to re-read pages to make sure I hadn’t missed something.
May 19, 2022
DNF. Ran out of interest halfway through. The first part, when she’s with her mother, held me, but 100 pages further on it lost me…
April 26, 2022
stunning debut that mines the lines of trauma and grief that settle into your heart and shape the person you become. Not only is this a novel of euthanasia, loss, and grief, it’s also a coming-of-age journey that never failed to surprise me with each new direction it took.
‘Grief can build a cathedral inside us. A place of immense wisdom and empathy, of perspective and gratitude.’
~~~
‘Just because someone breaks your heart doesn’t mean you can stop loving them. Just because someone doesn’t deserve your love doesn’t mean you won’t love them.’
~~~
‘Family aren’t just the people you’re related to by blood, and the sun isn’t just up in the sky.’
~~~
‘Michelangelo said that in every block of marble he plainly saw a statue fully formed. His only job was to chip away the rough imprisoning walls to reveal the loveliness within. Delphi knows this to be a powerful metaphor for life. Isn’t that what we humans all do? Chip away at our own sorrows, angers and shames, exposing imperfections and mortal fears in the hope that this exertion will reveal our most radiant selves?’
This novel really doesn’t hold back in terms of both the emotion it rings out of you and the language that it uses relating to death and its aftermath. There was an impactful parallel drawn within the text relating to the ease in which an animal can be euthanised to prevent suffering as opposed to a human. This is a thought-provoking novel that will give the reader much to contemplate. As a debut, it is strikingly impressive, and I highly recommended it.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
‘Grief can build a cathedral inside us. A place of immense wisdom and empathy, of perspective and gratitude.’
~~~
‘Just because someone breaks your heart doesn’t mean you can stop loving them. Just because someone doesn’t deserve your love doesn’t mean you won’t love them.’
~~~
‘Family aren’t just the people you’re related to by blood, and the sun isn’t just up in the sky.’
~~~
‘Michelangelo said that in every block of marble he plainly saw a statue fully formed. His only job was to chip away the rough imprisoning walls to reveal the loveliness within. Delphi knows this to be a powerful metaphor for life. Isn’t that what we humans all do? Chip away at our own sorrows, angers and shames, exposing imperfections and mortal fears in the hope that this exertion will reveal our most radiant selves?’
This novel really doesn’t hold back in terms of both the emotion it rings out of you and the language that it uses relating to death and its aftermath. There was an impactful parallel drawn within the text relating to the ease in which an animal can be euthanised to prevent suffering as opposed to a human. This is a thought-provoking novel that will give the reader much to contemplate. As a debut, it is strikingly impressive, and I highly recommended it.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
March 23, 2022
Where the Light Gets In sensitively titrates that place of pain and grief without being overwhelming for the reader or holding us outside of the experience of the characters as they navigate through the unbearable. As an exploration of love, death, euthanasia, loss and longing, this book holds the breadth of these themes without hyperbole or hubris. There are the right moments of vulnerability and lightness in amongst the shade, and a sense of movement through the worlds of Delphi that bring a curiousity and exploration to the emotional adventure that is life. It's refreshing to read a novel that provocatively invites us as readers to examine our own worlds, values and parts. Challenge accepted. A big ambitious debut, and one which pleasingly hits the mark.
January 11, 2024
An easy read to start the year, even though some of the themes felt personal so quite engaging. I did enjoy the first half better, the second one wasn't as eventful maybe but I did appreciate the realness of the story at that point.
Language is straightforward, minor mistakes when the protagonist speaks Italian -which is fair enough since she's English - but also from characters that are native in the book (although doesn't affect the story. It's just my italian pignoleria).
Language is straightforward, minor mistakes when the protagonist speaks Italian -which is fair enough since she's English - but also from characters that are native in the book (although doesn't affect the story. It's just my italian pignoleria).
April 21, 2022
Delphi is the woman you want to wrap your arms around and hug, and keep her as your friend forever. As she ensures grief in horrible circumstances she still radiates kindness and hope, even when she is unable to give that to herself. This book dives into spiritual philosophy, art, grief, love and yes - sex. Written by a new author with timeless wisdom. Devoured it in days, highly recommend.
March 6, 2022
So moving, so readable, this is the best book i’ve read in ages. It made me cry and it made me laugh.
March 6, 2022
A sensational, emotional novel that everyone should read. I could not put this book down for weeks. Coyle is an amazing new voice, poetic, intelligent and wise. A must read
April 10, 2022
If this book tells you anything about the author, Zoe Coyle, it's that she is a fierce intellect, powering tremendous humanity. This novel is lit by a sensual energy that informs the way the central character likes, loves, and moves through the world. The book flirts with the reader like a charismatic stranger with an urgent story to tell. The fiction has a strong theme about euthanasia - not the didactic mechanics or morals of it - but the desire and consequences.
This is a visceral piece of writing. Pointillist in its detail of light and shade, of smell, of touch and feeling. Of the scudding clouds of emotions, and the blood and bones of desire. It is written down the umbilical cord that ties us together. The love we make, the love we choose, the love we’re born to.
That’s a lot of metaphor for one review. The story is about Delphi Hoffman, her mother Vivian’s death, and the implosion of her family. (The centre will not hold.) The guilt, shame, grief and love that happens when the gates between life and death open. This is a story of between here and there, of living in the time of being and nothingness. For me, it stirred all the grief of lost love, but not in a mawkish Victorian way, but with the gestalt of the 20th century. This is active grief, powered by 100% organic love and it’s transfixing for this.
Coyle has a poetic turn of phrase that comes out in sentences like, “The death of a child is an atomic desecration.” “She has stepped into the internal war zone of another human being.” “The sombre grey funeral attendant returns holding his hands clasped in front of his groin like a fleshy fig leaf.”
Throughout the book is the importance of interconnection - between family, friends, lovers… all of humanity is paramount. “Sometimes it seems so blatantly obvious to me that we’re all connected, like when I meditate or when I burst with empathy to see people reunited at the airport. I can’t always hold on to that grace, that knowledge, because fear destroys it.”
So, the story is one of grief lit by gratitude - gratitude that travels from the universal (for life itself) to the small and eccentric (a well-plaited crown of grey hair on a kind stranger.) It is about the ineffable beauty of being.
The publicity so far focuses on the current euthanasia debate in Australia. Don’t let the deep weight of that important subject drag you away from reading this novel. This is a story about love, and friendship and family, and the light that shines in us all. I found it compelling
This is a visceral piece of writing. Pointillist in its detail of light and shade, of smell, of touch and feeling. Of the scudding clouds of emotions, and the blood and bones of desire. It is written down the umbilical cord that ties us together. The love we make, the love we choose, the love we’re born to.
That’s a lot of metaphor for one review. The story is about Delphi Hoffman, her mother Vivian’s death, and the implosion of her family. (The centre will not hold.) The guilt, shame, grief and love that happens when the gates between life and death open. This is a story of between here and there, of living in the time of being and nothingness. For me, it stirred all the grief of lost love, but not in a mawkish Victorian way, but with the gestalt of the 20th century. This is active grief, powered by 100% organic love and it’s transfixing for this.
Coyle has a poetic turn of phrase that comes out in sentences like, “The death of a child is an atomic desecration.” “She has stepped into the internal war zone of another human being.” “The sombre grey funeral attendant returns holding his hands clasped in front of his groin like a fleshy fig leaf.”
Throughout the book is the importance of interconnection - between family, friends, lovers… all of humanity is paramount. “Sometimes it seems so blatantly obvious to me that we’re all connected, like when I meditate or when I burst with empathy to see people reunited at the airport. I can’t always hold on to that grace, that knowledge, because fear destroys it.”
So, the story is one of grief lit by gratitude - gratitude that travels from the universal (for life itself) to the small and eccentric (a well-plaited crown of grey hair on a kind stranger.) It is about the ineffable beauty of being.
The publicity so far focuses on the current euthanasia debate in Australia. Don’t let the deep weight of that important subject drag you away from reading this novel. This is a story about love, and friendship and family, and the light that shines in us all. I found it compelling
October 31, 2022
ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪɢʜᴛ ɢᴇᴛꜱ ɪɴ
-ᴢᴏË ᴄᴏʏʟᴇ
A stunning debut that mines the lines of trauma and grief that settle into your heart and shape the person you become. Coyle is eloquent, poetic, witty and authentic in her exploration of love, death, family, friendship and the muddy mess of it all. I was deeply moved by Delphi's journey back to her centre, her anchor, her big whole-hearted self. Not only is this a novel of euthanasia, loss, and grief, it’s also a coming-of-age journey that never failed to surprise me with each new direction it took.
‘𝑀𝒾𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓁𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓁𝑜 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒷𝓁𝑜𝒸𝓀 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝒶𝓇𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓈𝒶𝓌 𝒶 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓉𝓊𝑒 𝒻𝓊𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒹. 𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒿𝑜𝒷 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝒶𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃. 𝒟𝑒𝓁𝓅𝒽𝒾 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝒶 𝓅𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒶𝓅𝒽𝑜𝓇 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒. 𝐼𝓈𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝒽𝓊𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒹𝑜? 𝒞𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒶𝓉 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝑜𝓌𝓃 𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓇𝑜𝓌𝓈, 𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈, 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝑜𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒶𝓁 𝒻𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝓍𝑒𝓇𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝒶𝓁 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝓇𝒶𝒹𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓈𝑒𝓁𝓋𝑒𝓈?’
This is a thought-provoking novel, not holding back in terms of emotion and the language it uses relating to death and it’s aftermath. It will give the reader much to contemplate. As a debut, it is impressive, and I highly recommended it.
-ᴢᴏË ᴄᴏʏʟᴇ
A stunning debut that mines the lines of trauma and grief that settle into your heart and shape the person you become. Coyle is eloquent, poetic, witty and authentic in her exploration of love, death, family, friendship and the muddy mess of it all. I was deeply moved by Delphi's journey back to her centre, her anchor, her big whole-hearted self. Not only is this a novel of euthanasia, loss, and grief, it’s also a coming-of-age journey that never failed to surprise me with each new direction it took.
‘𝑀𝒾𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓁𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓁𝑜 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒷𝓁𝑜𝒸𝓀 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝒶𝓇𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓈𝒶𝓌 𝒶 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓉𝓊𝑒 𝒻𝓊𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒹. 𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒿𝑜𝒷 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝒶𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃. 𝒟𝑒𝓁𝓅𝒽𝒾 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝒶 𝓅𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒶𝓅𝒽𝑜𝓇 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒. 𝐼𝓈𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝒽𝓊𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒹𝑜? 𝒞𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒶𝓉 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝑜𝓌𝓃 𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓇𝑜𝓌𝓈, 𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈, 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝑜𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒶𝓁 𝒻𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝓍𝑒𝓇𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝒶𝓁 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝓇𝒶𝒹𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓈𝑒𝓁𝓋𝑒𝓈?’
This is a thought-provoking novel, not holding back in terms of emotion and the language it uses relating to death and it’s aftermath. It will give the reader much to contemplate. As a debut, it is impressive, and I highly recommended it.
August 10, 2022
A poetic introduction to the world of emotions, author Zoe has made the famed walk into Australian literary fiction with her debut.
As interesting and intriguing as this title sounds, this book is about the deeper parts of emotions and the thin line between life and death.
Delphi is summoned by her mum Vivian who has a brain disease, and wants to end her life with dignity. Delphi is still dwelling over her past, guilt and turmoil that she had to face after her brother drowned and died while she was supposed to be supervising him. When tragedy hit her family, the domino effect of everything falling apart, one after the other, affected her too much. And now, she is faced with the task of euthanising her mother.
The book talks about different shades and spheres of loss and grief. It’s a representation of guilt and suffering. This book is about a woman, who faced so much before she was even an adult, who is kind and loving despite her grief. It’s about finding your place in the family. It’s a book that will speak for everyone about emotions and finding your own light.
Thanks to the amazing publishers for the review copy.
As interesting and intriguing as this title sounds, this book is about the deeper parts of emotions and the thin line between life and death.
Delphi is summoned by her mum Vivian who has a brain disease, and wants to end her life with dignity. Delphi is still dwelling over her past, guilt and turmoil that she had to face after her brother drowned and died while she was supposed to be supervising him. When tragedy hit her family, the domino effect of everything falling apart, one after the other, affected her too much. And now, she is faced with the task of euthanising her mother.
The book talks about different shades and spheres of loss and grief. It’s a representation of guilt and suffering. This book is about a woman, who faced so much before she was even an adult, who is kind and loving despite her grief. It’s about finding your place in the family. It’s a book that will speak for everyone about emotions and finding your own light.
Thanks to the amazing publishers for the review copy.
August 19, 2022
For anyone who has ever loved and lost, and dared to rise again
Delphi Hoffman, a wild child living in London, is finally getting her life together with a new love affair and the offer of a coveted job – until she receives the phone call she hoped would never arrive.
‘It’s time.’
Her mother Vivian’s terminal illness has reached its tipping point and she summons Delphi to Australia to help her to euthanise. Unable to deny her mother’s suffering, or her promise to her of a good death, Delphi reluctantly returns to her mother for the last time.
This is a fascinating story. Posing the question of - why don’t we get to have control of the way our life ends. Why do we have to continue to suffer rather than be allowed to end our lives peacefully.
Zoe writes with an interesting voice, and sadly this one was not for me. Despite the interesting premise of the novel, I found the writing style hard to get into and I found Delphi a little annoying at times. It was a book I wanted to love, but sadly one that fell a little short for me.
Delphi Hoffman, a wild child living in London, is finally getting her life together with a new love affair and the offer of a coveted job – until she receives the phone call she hoped would never arrive.
‘It’s time.’
Her mother Vivian’s terminal illness has reached its tipping point and she summons Delphi to Australia to help her to euthanise. Unable to deny her mother’s suffering, or her promise to her of a good death, Delphi reluctantly returns to her mother for the last time.
This is a fascinating story. Posing the question of - why don’t we get to have control of the way our life ends. Why do we have to continue to suffer rather than be allowed to end our lives peacefully.
Zoe writes with an interesting voice, and sadly this one was not for me. Despite the interesting premise of the novel, I found the writing style hard to get into and I found Delphi a little annoying at times. It was a book I wanted to love, but sadly one that fell a little short for me.
February 11, 2024
I was never really sure about this book until the final few chapters. I could have given up so many times and other times, I couldn't wait to pick it up.
I love the time Delphi spent in Tasmania with her Mother who is ready to die by euthanasia. Time spent with her brother Jack is a good reconnection.
Delphi's meanderings in England seemed pointless, but was to show her instabilities.
How do young people become pregnant these days with all the various contraception on hand? The Cult part I found a little implausible. I saw it coming, but didn't believe the writer would actually include such a cliched subject.
Delphi's family are really quite obnoxious. Thank goodness for her friends. They were my happy place in Delphi's tragic tale.
This could have been a DNF but something kept drawing me back to this story.
I may have rushed reading this book and should have taken the time to not dismiss the parts I didn't enjoy. It has left me considering many different subjects.
I would read more from this author.
I love the time Delphi spent in Tasmania with her Mother who is ready to die by euthanasia. Time spent with her brother Jack is a good reconnection.
Delphi's meanderings in England seemed pointless, but was to show her instabilities.
How do young people become pregnant these days with all the various contraception on hand? The Cult part I found a little implausible. I saw it coming, but didn't believe the writer would actually include such a cliched subject.
Delphi's family are really quite obnoxious. Thank goodness for her friends. They were my happy place in Delphi's tragic tale.
This could have been a DNF but something kept drawing me back to this story.
I may have rushed reading this book and should have taken the time to not dismiss the parts I didn't enjoy. It has left me considering many different subjects.
I would read more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
"Home is your anchor"
"Sometimes your family is not your blood relatives, it'll take time to find them, but you'll find them in the nick of time."
Delphi is summoned by her mum, Vivian, to come back to Australia and helping her with ending her life in dignity. Vivian has degenerative disease of the brain and she feels that the time is now. When I read the synopsis about this book, I am thinking this book will focus on dying with dignity thing. This euthanise issue will only probably around 30% of the book.
This story is more about Delphi, she holds past trauma of her brother drowned in their pool while she was supposed to supervise him. Her dysfunctional family of her mum had a breakdown after the tragedy, and Delphi was sent to boarding school while she was not able to understand what's happening and how to process, following her parents' divorce.
This is Delphi's difficult journey to try to find herself in her family and trying to connect with them.
"Sometimes your family is not your blood relatives, it'll take time to find them, but you'll find them in the nick of time."
Delphi is summoned by her mum, Vivian, to come back to Australia and helping her with ending her life in dignity. Vivian has degenerative disease of the brain and she feels that the time is now. When I read the synopsis about this book, I am thinking this book will focus on dying with dignity thing. This euthanise issue will only probably around 30% of the book.
This story is more about Delphi, she holds past trauma of her brother drowned in their pool while she was supposed to supervise him. Her dysfunctional family of her mum had a breakdown after the tragedy, and Delphi was sent to boarding school while she was not able to understand what's happening and how to process, following her parents' divorce.
This is Delphi's difficult journey to try to find herself in her family and trying to connect with them.
June 11, 2023
Where the Light Gets In by Zoe Coyle.
Book in a wine and pizza night with your best friend to debrief after reading this. (I’m allergic to both but coffee and cake might work).
Firstly the standard trigger warning for all the difficult subjects covered. Euthanasia, suicide, degenerative illness, family trauma, mental health issues, grief and everything else. In all of this trauma, all the struggles of the main character to get her life together, there is a simple beauty in the relationships that help hold things together. I would read this a million times for Art, an unexpected angel of a human. The vulnerability of the lead character Delphi and her gathering strength has truly special moments. There’s also a plot twist dragged straight out of the headlines that provided an aha moment when it clicked what was happening. Overall the plot line is unpredictable, beautiful, torturous, and firmly cemented in hope. Sometimes our best family is formed from the people we choose.
Book in a wine and pizza night with your best friend to debrief after reading this. (I’m allergic to both but coffee and cake might work).
Firstly the standard trigger warning for all the difficult subjects covered. Euthanasia, suicide, degenerative illness, family trauma, mental health issues, grief and everything else. In all of this trauma, all the struggles of the main character to get her life together, there is a simple beauty in the relationships that help hold things together. I would read this a million times for Art, an unexpected angel of a human. The vulnerability of the lead character Delphi and her gathering strength has truly special moments. There’s also a plot twist dragged straight out of the headlines that provided an aha moment when it clicked what was happening. Overall the plot line is unpredictable, beautiful, torturous, and firmly cemented in hope. Sometimes our best family is formed from the people we choose.
July 31, 2022
DNF 35%
The premise of the book sounded promising; a beautiful story about the love of family and how far we go to care for those we love.
The author writes so poetically beautifully but I can't help feeling like it's missing substance. The characters waive in and out of the story without much afterthought, tragic backstories are quickly summarised and pushed aside. It starts with Delphi going to Australia to be with her mother then when the attempted suicide "euthanasia" goes pear-shaped, she flees back to London drifting in and out of people's homes, doing drugs, getting drunk, sleeping with random people and being part of some spiritual ritual cleansing.
It's just not my cup of tea, and I really did try to give this book a fair go, however, I'm disappointed overall how it handled the mothers illness.
The premise of the book sounded promising; a beautiful story about the love of family and how far we go to care for those we love.
The author writes so poetically beautifully but I can't help feeling like it's missing substance. The characters waive in and out of the story without much afterthought, tragic backstories are quickly summarised and pushed aside. It starts with Delphi going to Australia to be with her mother then when the attempted suicide "euthanasia" goes pear-shaped, she flees back to London drifting in and out of people's homes, doing drugs, getting drunk, sleeping with random people and being part of some spiritual ritual cleansing.
It's just not my cup of tea, and I really did try to give this book a fair go, however, I'm disappointed overall how it handled the mothers illness.
July 4, 2023
Since I finished reading this book I started missing the characters within it. I felt we'd become friends throughout and I often find myself wondering what they're doing now. This is the power of the world that Zoe pulls you in to and leads you around by the hand into corners and corridors you'd never choose to go on your own.
It's a book of three acts really, each quite different from each other, but threaded together through friendship and grief. The first third is gripping but difficult, the next provides a fresh pace and new air to breath, the last is gratifying.
I really recommend this book and also Zoe's second novel 'the dangers of female provocation' which is entirely different but clearly from the same voice.
It's a book of three acts really, each quite different from each other, but threaded together through friendship and grief. The first third is gripping but difficult, the next provides a fresh pace and new air to breath, the last is gratifying.
I really recommend this book and also Zoe's second novel 'the dangers of female provocation' which is entirely different but clearly from the same voice.
August 14, 2022
I picked this up in a little bookshop and then put it down again, worried that the subject matter might be too heavy with Delphi's mum's terminal illness and the alluding to assisted suicide in the blurb. I returned and bought it anyway because I felt compelled to and I'm glad I did. It is beautifully written; though I would agree with other reviewers who note that at times the dialogue feels almost too well crafted. Regardless, I liked Delphi's humanness; her obvious flaws and her vulnerability; and despite it losing me a little about three quarters of the way through, I enjoyed the conclusion.
August 31, 2022
Ok, I loved this book. It was beautifully written and there are many lines in it which resonated and that I’ve bookmarked for later. Yes, there is a “but” coming. Once she left for Italy, I found the plot stretched credulity massively, and it only got more unbelievable. The cult, the chance meeting, everyone turning up at the birth, inheriting money, Grace’s father suddenly appearing… it all ended very happily ever after and for a book which was so honest and raw it felt too neat and tidy and far fetched for me. I still would rate it 5 stars for the first 3/4 though. And I’m happy it all worked out ok, but it was one line away from “and then everybody clapped”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2022
I found this novel compelling and in the most part rather lovely. It is fundamentally about the search for love and family, with the loss of parents through death and family dysfunction.
I was interested in the way the issue of euthanasia and the right to choose your own death was dealt with - the mother Vivian is very brave and determined.
There were a few parts of the plot that were a little disorienting in that they didn’t seem aligned with who I though Delphi was and some I could see happening, like a train wreck and it rather annoyed me! The Tuscan retreat and its messiah comes to mind.
But overall I enjoyed it and found the ending rather lovely.
I was interested in the way the issue of euthanasia and the right to choose your own death was dealt with - the mother Vivian is very brave and determined.
There were a few parts of the plot that were a little disorienting in that they didn’t seem aligned with who I though Delphi was and some I could see happening, like a train wreck and it rather annoyed me! The Tuscan retreat and its messiah comes to mind.
But overall I enjoyed it and found the ending rather lovely.
May 28, 2022
I had the absolute privilege of meeting Zoe Coyle , an interesting and highly intelligent, talented human full of heart . I was fascinated with her casual conversation and character which is what made me read her book. It didn’t fail. It’s a moving story around a character I felt I knew and understood so beautifully narrated. I couldn’t put it down so I read it in a gulp . I am now rereading it so I can enjoy Zoe’s beautiful literary style of writing at a deeper level. Looking forward to get my hands on anything else this writer puts out .
April 24, 2022
This is a high impact story of damaging relationships, terminal illness, friendship, kindness, hope, the struggle to own your own life and self, and so much more. Delphi's path through the complexity of a disturbed upbringing to an equally disturbed adulthood sees her struggle to develop a sense of self and a stability that is constantly threatened by those around her. She's a brave, clever and caring woman, treasured by some but well treated by only a few. I was riveted by her story.
May 25, 2022
What an exciting new voice in the Australian literary world. Coyle is eloquent, poetic, witty and authentic in her exploration of love, death, family, friendship and the muddy mess of it all … and out of the mud the lotus flower blossoms. I was deeply moved (and sometimes exasperated) by Delphi’s journey back to her centre, her anchor, her big whole-hearted self. What a ride! Excited to see what Coyle creates next!
July 24, 2022
Zoe Coyle has found new ways of expression that are searingly accurate.
This is the story of Delphi. Living in London she heads home to a terminally ill mother who wants her help in her own euthanasia.
What follows is an in depth look at how family trauma and broken relationships can unfold into dangerous circumstances.
This went off the rails momentarily in Italy but came back with a warm conclusion.
This is the story of Delphi. Living in London she heads home to a terminally ill mother who wants her help in her own euthanasia.
What follows is an in depth look at how family trauma and broken relationships can unfold into dangerous circumstances.
This went off the rails momentarily in Italy but came back with a warm conclusion.
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