Review: Brightly Shining, by Ingvild Rishøi

Title: Brightly Shining

Author: Ingvild Rishøi

Translator: Caroline Waight

Publisher: Grove Press UK

Genre: Contemporary / Holiday

Date of Publication: October 2nd, 202 (or. published 2021)

Number of Pages: 192

See it on Goodreads: Brightly Shining

Summary

Christmas is just around the corner, and Ronja and Melissa’s father is out of work. When ten-year-old Ronja hears about a job selling Christmas trees, she thinks it might be the stroke of luck they all need. Soon, the fridge fills with food and their father comes home smiling, covered in spruce needles. But the local pub has an irresistible pull and he quickly abandons his responsibilities.

Melissa decides to take his place at the Christmas tree stand, working before and after school, and bringing Ronja with her. On rare breaks in the dark of a Norwegian December they dream of a brighter place of kindness and plenty – and find there are some people in the world who might help them.

Review - Keep On Dreaming

Brightly Shining is definitely one of the books that have been popping up recently, especially since it became the book club pick for Service 95 Book Club. Plus, it was recently translated and published in Greek, so I took it as a sign to add it to my holiday reading list. 

First things first, don't let this gorgeous cover deceive you - Brightly Shining is not the feel-good holiday book you might be expecting. Instead, it is a novella that deals with some pretty heavy topics, perfectly contrasting them with a festive setting. To be honest, the summary made it feel more hopeful, than it actually felt while reading it. 

However, this novella is worth it, especially since you can read it in one sitting. The connection between both girls, Ronja and Melissa, was so touching. For me, the relationaship between the sisters was the best element of the story.

In Brightly Shining, we are following Ronja's perspective. For the most part, I found that her tone and thoughts were appropriate for her age, which is a thing I'm frequently hesitant when we have a child narrator. She is naive and hopeful, and keeps on dreaming of that cabin in the woods, where she, Melissa, and their dad can be happy. Even on the darkest moments, the thought of this cabin brings her warmth and light. And it is clear to see how she misses her dad, even though he disappoints her again and again. I won't lie, I sobbed during the Santa Lucia scene.

Melissa, on the other hand, is a bit older. As a teenager, she understands better what her dad deals with. She realizes how addiction holds a person and she doubts that this time will be any different than the rest. So, she assumes the role of caretaker, to take up his job, to provide for the family, and to care for Ronja. It's so cruel to see a teenage girl have to do all this, wake way up too early to go to work and then again after school, and worry about social services.

Of course, not everything is dark in this novella. There are people that care for the girls and try to help them in one way or another. The school caretaker, Tommy, Mr. Aronsen, all try to help them in their own way. However, they can't be the girls' dad, and there is a limit to what they can actually do for them. 

In Brightly Shining, we get several mentions of The Little Match Girl story by Hans Christian Andersen. And the author has already comfirmed it that the novella is a modern reimaging of the story. If you are already familiar with the original story, then you will notice its influence and it certainly adds another layer to the book.

All of the things I've already mentioned, set this book up for a sucess. Yet, I didn't love it as much as I was expecting. My main issue was the final part of the book, where Ronja falls ill. I know that it was the author's stylistic choice, but the narration became disjointed and I wasn't following the progression of the story with the interest I had before. 

All in all, I would suggest that you go into this book with the right expectations. If you do, then you will find both touching and heart-wrenching moments. I definitely don't regret reading it, but it's not a book I would necessarily recommend a lot. 

Read more of my reviews here.