Lovely, Dark, and Deep

Written by Justina Chen

Narrated by Nancy Wu

What would you do if the sun became your enemy? That’s exactly what happens to Viola Li after she returns from a trip abroad and develops a sudden and extreme case of photosensitivity—an inexplicable allergy to sunlight. Thanks to
her crisis-manager parents, she doesn’t just have to wear layers of clothes and a hat the size of a spaceship. She has to stay away from all hint of light. Say goodbye to windows and running outdoors. Even her phone becomes a threat when its screen burns her.

Viola is determined to maintain a normal life, particularly after she meets Josh. He’s a funny, talented Thor look-alike who carries his own mysterious grief. But the intensity of their romance makes her take more and more risks, and when a
rebellion against her parents backfires dangerously, she must find her way to a life—and love—as deep and lovely as her dreams.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705049549

Reviews for Lovely, Dark, and Deep

[lispylibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A great story of indomitable will and never giving up. Viola is diagnosed with photosensitivity-meaning she is allergic to the sun. Including ALL UVA And UVB rays. This Includes her phone and laptop screens as well. This would destroy any teenage girl. It especially one who wants to be a foreign news correspondent AND who just met a boy who looks like Thor. While it was pretty slow at times this is definitely one of my top books of 2018. It shows true resilience, creativity, and vulnerability.

[acargile-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was excited to see another book by Justina Chen; I read North of Beautiful years ago and loved it. This novel is realistic fiction with a side of romance.Viola’s life takes a drastic turn one day, as she suddenly feels hot and strange and then faints into Thor’s arms. She arrives at the hospital only to learn that she is now allergic to the sun. Not just a little bit either. She is one of 100 people diagnosed with her condition in the history of humanity. You talk about NOT FAIR. Thor, real name Josh, comes to check on her at the hospital and they strike up a friendship. He’s got his own demons and can be more empathetic and understanding of her limitations. The novel progresses through the condition’s progression. Each day and each chapter brings more information and changes for Viola. Her parents are crisis managers and own their own company. They are expert researchers and have taught her daughter these same skills. They go into ultra crisis mode. Viola has a whole new wardrobe that is spf protected. Her lightbulbs are removed. Any form of light can cause a reaction. Viola goes from someone who loves being outside running to someone who has to hide in the dark. While recovering in the dark, Viola helps Josh wrote a graphic novel, incorporating her own photosensitivity to the main character. Josh is always willing to rescue Viola and also values her input--he likes talking out his ideas for the comic with someone. Viola’s parents, however, find him to be reckless. Despite Viola trying to explain, her parents always blame him when it’s Viola’s choices that get them into situations that threaten her.I enjoyed the novel. I really like the conclusion--well-written conclusions that pull the book together are hard to come by! I do think that there could have been more character development with other characters, particularly Josh and Roz, Viola’s sister. Most characters represent a “type” of person instead of being multidimensional and complex. Her best friends take up a fairly minor role but help her make decisions. Even Josh is fairly one-dimensional, and we never meet his parents. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed learning about the disease and seeing how she ends up making changes and planning her life. The important message is that a Plan B can be a good plan that is as interesting as Plan A. Evaluate and find there is more than one path through life.

[whatsmacksaid · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is so much to love about this book. It's funny and poignant and the narrator's voice is so, so clear. Viola has opinions and she doesn't hesitate to share them. I love that about her.

And despite the fact that Viola's condition is incredibly rare, it's still a book about a successful high school student suddenly having to shift her life around chronic physical illness as it develops. I had to stop about halfway through because my chest hurt. I felt so seen in a way that I hadn't anticipated or even thought I needed.

It's a great book. I loved Viola--she's someone we should all aspire to be more like.