The Sunlight Pilgrims, by Jenni Fagan

REVIEW: This was an interesting book, although far from my favorite.   The writing is beautiful.  I especially liked the description of driving across the suspension bridge (“…flashes of crisscross, crisscross, crisscross, the shadows flicker over the driver’s face.”) on page 19 and the description of Dylan inside the cloud on page 78.   I also gained insight into the feelings of someone who feels they are in the wrong gender body and the struggles to fit in as a teenager.  Even though there are many positive aspects of the book, I can’t quite put my finger on why the story did not interest me more.  Maybe it moved too slow, or I like a bit more drama.  Certainly there are readers out there who will find this book enthralling, I am just not one of them.  I received a complimentary copy of the book for this review.

Characters
Clachan Fells	Babylon Cinema
Constance Fairbanks – the moon polisher Stella (previously Cael) Alistair – Constance’s lover and Stella’s father Caleb – Constance’s lover Lewis Brown – used to be Stella’s best friend Vito – transgender internet friend in Italy Sisters of Beathnock Residents: Barnacle Tim (Alan) Satanist Ida – porn star Boo – Iceberg heading for Clachan Fells	Dylan MacRae Vivienne – mother Gunn – grandmother Havid & Bitta – Dylan’s great-grandparents Children: Gunn MacRae Olaf Balkie Vivienne MacRae – Gunn and Olaf’s child Alistair Balkie – son of Olaf and Astrid (wife)

For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the hardback edition.

1. Did you enjoy the description of being inside a cloud on page 78?  Were you able to feel what Dylan was experiencing?
2. How well did the author describe Stella’s experience being transgender?  Did the book help your understanding of the feelings and problems faced by transgender people?  How do you think Constance was coping?   Was there anything that could have been done to help Stella’s acceptance in her school? 
3. Do you think the Sisters of Beathnock should have done more to help Stella?  The book starts in the year 2020.  Did you think helping a transgender child would be more understood in the future than was portrayed in the novel?
4. On page 45, Stella meets Gunn in the caravan park and Gunn tells her that, “You have two spirits…”   What do you think she meant?
5. On the same page, 45, Gunn says she was taught how to safely look directly at the sun and absorb the sunlight by the “sunlight pilgrims…from the islands farthest north.”   How did you understand this passage?   (See page 124 for discussion between Stella and Dylan regarding the identity of Gunn as the woman Stella talked to.)
6. Why is Constance referred to as a “moon polisher?”
7. Why did Gunn change her last name from the family name (Balkie) to her mother’s maiden name (MacRae)?
8. Should Dylan tell Constance and Stella their family connection?  Do you think he ever will?  Did you like the way the author hinted at something in the family but drew out revealing it to the reader?
9. Can you imagine living under the conditions described in the book?  How do you think you would fare?
10. Did you like the ending?  What do you think will happen next?

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.