I’ll give you the Sun

Description

BOOK SUMMARY

I’ll Give You the Sun” is a novel by Jandy Nelson that tells the story of twins Noah and Jude Sweetwine. The book is divided into two parts, with the first part narrated by Noah and the second part narrated by Jude. Noah is a budding artist who has trouble socializing and often retreats to the “invisible museum” inside his mind. Jude is eccentric and obsessed with the deceased Grandma Sweetwine’s “bible” of superstition, lore, and aphorisms. The twins are extremely close, but their relationship is tested when their mother decides to start preparing them for admission to the prestigious local art school. Jude’s jealousy of Noah’s talent causes her to sabotage his application, and Noah falls in with Jude’s old popular friends. Three years later, Jude is a student at the art school, but Noah is not. The withdrawn Jude has shorn off her long blonde hair and dresses in baggy clothes. She carries onions in her pocket and adorns herself with strange talismans meant to ward off bad luck, evil spirits, and boys. On the brink of expulsion, Jude decides to make an indestructible stone sculpture as a way of communicating with her deceased mother. She seeks out the “rock star” of the sculpture world, Guillermo Garcia, to help her with the project. The novel explores themes of relationships, art, and destiny.