My Review of Sunstruck by Mayra Calvani
What is it about?
From the website . . .
"...Twenty-four-year-old Daniella is an architecture student living with her narcissistic artist boyfriend in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Abandoned by her father at an early age, Daniella always falls for the wrong type of man. Her most enduring male relationship so far is with her 30-pound Turkish angora cat. Thankfully, Daniella’s mother is always there to offer a shoulder.
Several strange mysteries are threaded through Daniella’s everyday life: her ex-husband, Ismael, has just opened an outlandish hotel for animal lovers that has her distraught; Ismael’s wife, a rich woman Daniella fondly refers to as “Lady Dracula,” has some gruesome ways to keep her skin looking young; Daniella’s mother is founding a revolutionary, feminist society called The Praying Mantises; the island’s national forest is being depleted of hallucinogenic mushrooms; meanwhile, young girls are disappearing and there’s a nut loose dressed as Zorro slashing the rear ends of women who wear miniskirts..."
Review…
I’ve recently had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Sunstruck by Mayra Calvani! Please read on . . .
I love to read, and Sunstruck was great! I read its entirety in one sitting, because I couldn’t put it down.
What I really liked about the book is the complexity of the conflicts. It leaves enough room for the audience to wonder what happens next, but I was satisfied with the information it provided at the end.
This was probably the most interesting piece of fiction I’ve ever read. I think I really liked it, because the main character, Daniella, reminded me a lot of myself.
Here is my interpretation of Sunstruck: (I promise I won’t spoil it!)
Daniella is a girl who has been through a few rough patches in life, and she always seems to date the ‘losers’. (AKA people who have a dream that really aren’t making it.) She tries to make the best of it, but she knows in her heart that there should be more to her life. The only two things consistent in her life is her cat, Commando and her mother, Marcela.
At 24, Daniella has been through a divorce, and is living with a guy she really doesn’t like named Tony. Tony cares more about trying to become famous, and his drugs.
There are some odd characters presented in this story, which made it really interesting. Everything that Daniella sees is not really what it is. To me, there was a lot of symbolism in this book, mostly dealing with two-sided everything. People who seem real, really aren’t. Commando’s eyes were two different colors, characters were caught in making two decisions, etc.
I really liked how the story subtly described everybody’s way to try to find themselves:
- Tony: tried to make the life of a famous painter, with his weird-o art.
- Daniella: always knew there was more to her life than she was living.
- Ismael: went from a nobody to a somebody really quickly, and was greedy and wanted more.
- Lady Dracula: wants everlasting youth, and will go through drastic measures to ensure it is hers.
- Marcela: lonely, tries to find her way in this world. Feminist in disguise.
- Mari Carmen: knows what she wants, but can’t exactly make up her own mind.
- Zorro: The X character who puts life and threat into San Juan.
- Commando: an imported cat who provided Daniella with stability and faith.
There are so many secrets to uncover. You will have to read the book to find out!
If I was to describe Sunstruck in 3 words:
- Twisted (only book I haven’t been able to guess the ending!)
- Intriguing (I couldn’t put it down!)
- Personal (It truly hit home with me, and portrayed feelings that I consider my own!)
I would highly recommend reading Sunstruck. It will make you laugh, cry, and relate to the conflicts. I truly love the story, and already have 3 of my closest friends interested in reading it. (They are waiting in line!)
You can buy the book on Amazon HERE, in print or on the Kindle. You can also read the first chapter for free right here:
Please visit the author, Mayra Calvani on:
DISCLAIMER: I was not compensated for this post, I received a free sample of the product and wrote my review based off of the sample. The opinions stated above are mine, and mine alone!
