The Sun Is Also A Star is a heart warming yet quite depressing romance novel. It follows the story of Natasha, a girl of science and data, and Daniel, an unlikely poet. Both opposites, yet attract one another. Although, these high school seniors have issues much larger than the two of them.
Nicola Yoon really seemed to execute the teenage mind despite her age. I would know because, well, I am one. I have read many other reviews on Yoon’s writing that state her writing is “juvenile” (in a negative sense). I would have to disagree. Of course her writing is going to be a bit younger in terms of vocabulary and style. I mean, she is writing in first person about two seventeen year-olds. It would be a bit disturbing if teens thought like ninety year olds.
Another beautiful thing about Yoon’s writing is how everyone in the book had a story. She would often change perspectives of the novel in terms of characters. For example, there were chapter titles such as: “Fate: A History”, “Samuel Kingsley: A History of Regret” and last but not least, “Half-life: A History of Decay“.
Even some characters I thought didn’t have much influence on the story really blew my mind when they affected just about half the plot. It was a spider web of perspectives and opinions. Sort of like the universe in a way.
As the book gave me many stories, it also gave me many lessons about things I didn’t know or even think about in the world. There was a chapter titled “Hair”. That really stuck out at me because, wow, I have hair too. Strangely enough, the chapter was about black hair care, the kind of hair I happen to have. I read it and ended up learning a lot, including why I usually see Asian people working in this business. Those type of chapters are the ones I enjoyed the most because I’m all for learning.
The characters seemed very real to me, especially Daniel. I related to him a lot based off of his love for poetry and hope for the universe. Not to mention his faith was rock solid. He wanted to be a poet more than going into med school and even mentioned that he’s rather be a happy starving artist than a depressed, yet successful doctor. That’s a huge commitment if there ever was one.
Although, there is one thing that I have to pick at: the ending. I felt slightly startled by it, or as modernly said, shook. Before the ending was where the climax was about coming to an end. I was just about getting my emotions together when I was slapped with this explosion of the future after the storm. Thankfully, it was well written. I understand that writing their entire futures out would be insignificant and prolong the book. So, perhaps playing with the reader’s emotions was intentional? If so, I applaud you Yoon. Nicely done. I was well beyond shook.
In conclusion, Yoon executed a teenage love story quite honestly. She addressed the issues, the adventure, the awkwardness, the approval and of course the sweetness of young love. Not only that, but she also shared her views on the universe with her readers. Which I must say, was beautiful and heart achingly true. The characters were easy to relate to, lovable but also easy to despise depending on your beliefs. Overall, the book portrayed fate in it’s most kind and presumptuous lights with a slight touch of if I may say, magic.
