Book Review: Invisible Sun

IndieBookView

Dec 27

Invisible Sun

by Andrew H. Housley

Genre: Literary Fiction

ISBN: 9798891320260

Print Length: 172 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Reviewed by Chelsey Tucker | Content warnings: suicide

Invisible Sun opens with Ian revisiting the traumatic scene where he discovered his brother Hugo, who had taken his own life. The room is still stained with blood, and Ian is engulfed by a torrent of emotions—pain, guilt, anger, and sorrow. In addition to grappling with this emotional turmoil, Ian is burdened with the practical responsibilities of arranging for cleaners, claiming Hugo's body at the morgue, and packing up the family home. Amid this chaos, he is haunted by the relentless question of why this tragedy occurred. In stark contrast, his brother Chadwick adopts a façade of nonchalance, using alcohol to numb his emotions while projecting an outward image of a "cool guy."

Beneath the surface, the novel delves into the intricate dynamics among these three brothers, shaped by a shared history of abuse and control imposed by their tyrannical father. Hugo was the first to break free from their father's oppressive grip, followed by Chadwick, who sought refuge in Los Angeles, hoping for a fresh start. Ian, the youngest, attempted to escape through academia and travel but remained ensnared by their father's influence. As Ian grapples with the aftermath of Hugo's actions, their father piles blame on him, exacerbating his already overwhelming emotional burden. This tangled web of familial trauma forms the emotional core of the narrative, inviting readers to empathize with their painful struggles.

Invisible Sun unflinchingly navigates the complexities of loss, guilt, and despair, which could prove emotionally taxing for some individuals in certain situations. Nonetheless, these weighty themes provide valuable insights into the multifaceted personalities of the characters within the narrative. The novel skillfully observes the convergence of philosophy, emotions, and the human psyche when confronted with death, encapsulated in the haunting notion that, "The dead have it easy; they don't have to live with the guilt."