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What I Read: Broken Light by Joanne Harris

Broken Light
Joanne HarrisBroken Light is a bold and ambitious thriller that follows Bernie Moon, a 49-year-old woman who feels invisible and unfulfilled. She has given up her dreams and talents for the sake of her family and her job at a struggling bookshop.

“She had always been a good girl. A good wife. A good mother. A good daughter. A good employee. A good friend. And look where it had got her.”

But when a young woman is murdered in her neighborhood, Bernie’s latent power of entering and altering the minds of others resurfaces, along with memories of her troubled childhood. Bernie decides to use her power to fight against the injustices and abuses that women face in a patriarchal society, but soon realizes that she is playing with fire and risking everything she holds dear.

“She had become visible again. Not just to herself, but to others. She had become someone who mattered. Someone who could make things happen. Someone who could be loved.”

Joanne Harris, best known for her novel Chocolat, delivers a gripping and provocative story that challenges the stereotypes and expectations of middle-aged women. She combines elements of magical realism, mystery, and feminism to create a compelling portrait of a woman who undergoes a radical transformation. Harris also tackles timely issues such as the #MeToo movement, the murder of Sarah Everard, the rise of online influencers, and the dangers of psychological manipulation.

“She had never been one to make waves. She had always preferred to swim with the current, even when it took her places she didn’t want to go.”

Broken Light Joanne HarrisThe novel is intense and thrilling, with intricacies to keep the reading hooked. Harris writes with flair and wit, creating vivid characters and scenes. Bernie is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, who struggles with her identity, her relationships, and her morality.

“See? You needed to relax. All this is just hormones. The inner voice had softened now, becoming almost affectionate. And yet, there was something in it that made her shiver.”

She is not a flawless hero, but a flawed human being who makes mistakes and faces consequences. The supporting characters are also well-drawn, especially Bernie’s husband Martin, who represents the complacency and hypocrisy of many men; her son Dante, who is caught between his parents; and her boss Salena, who becomes her unlikely ally.

“She felt a surge of something: anger, yes, but also exhilaration. Power. She had power. She could make a difference. She could change things.”

Overall, Broken Light is an entertaining and thought-provoking novel that explores how women can feel invisible as they grow older—and what happens when they decide to take back control. It is a novel that celebrates the power and potential of women, but also warns of the dangers and responsibilities that come with it.

This reminded me of a few other books I read recently, namely Queen Bee by Ciara Geraghty and Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood

With thanks to Exclusive Books for the opportunity to read this book

About the Book

Exclusive Books – Broken Light by Joanne Harris

About the Author

Joanne Harris was born in 1964 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, to an English father and a French mother who were both teachers. Her first language was French and she grew up with two cultures.  She studied languages at Cambridge and became a teacher herself for 15 years. She started writing novels in her spare time and became famous for “Chocolat”. She is now a full-time writer of various genres, including fantasy, historical fiction and suspense.