OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sunshine & Tears" by Ruth O'Neill.]

Ruth O’Neill wrote a book about alcoholism and its impact on the family. I have just finished reading the book about obsessive love and its impact on the family. Surprisingly, Ruth O’Neill and I shared the same book, Sunshine & Tears.

It all began when Rosie, eighteen years old girl from Bath, had been dumped by her teenage boyfriend. To cheer Rosie up, her sister Jackie suggested a shopping trip to Bristol. The girls got lost in a big city and soon they found themselves “outside a shabby, run-down pub”. There Rosie met the love of her heart, a handsome electrician Garry. She got so lost in her love that subsequently she refused to acknowledge that she loved her creation, not a real man. The real Garry was a liar and an alcoholic; he was an abuser and a manipulator. Rosie continued to love Garry because to her he was “charming and full of confidence, readily showing me affection at every opportunity” even after his charm and affection had long disappeared and gave way to manipulation and brutality. When he was damaging her emotionally, Rosie would search and always find an explanation for Garry’s unreliability and lie. When Garry started using his fists, bruised and barely alive Rosie would ask for his forgiveness. He was the victim, not Rosie. Rosie’s unconditional love became her obsession. I wonder if Rosie was beginning to suffer from Stockholm syndrome, a psychological phenomenon which forced her to behave irrationally. As cruel it might sound, but Rosie’s kindness and softness and denial might have contributed to Garry’s decline. Love can be destructive.

I had mixed feelings when I was reading Sunshine & Tears. I loved the conversational language of the book. At times I had a sensation as if I were not reading a book but were listening to Rosie. I could hear the voice of a true Bristolian. Yet she used the word “oblivious” so often, I began to hate it. Rosie’s story was very-well executed and believable. I understood her pains, yet sometimes I could not suppress my disappointment with her. Intelligent and kind person, Rosie was ruining her own life, Garry’s life and their son’s life.

Throughout her brave narrative, we were presented with the same dreadful normality again and again, as each new climax in the story became anti-climax. Rosie’s unreliable first-person narration sounded astonishing and heart-breaking. In spite of that she sometimes acted as she knew what other people were thinking. To some degree, she was manipulating the readers to feel the same sympathy towards Garry she was having. It didn’t work with me, I’m afraid.

I rate Sunshine & Tears with 3 out of 4 stars, mainly for the muddled message. I would recommend it to any adult reader, particularly to those who might find themselves in Rosie’s shoes. However, my message is: do not become Rosie; act or run.

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Sunshine & Tears
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Like chytach18-'s review? Post a comment saying so!

Nice and insightful review. The book isn't my cup of tea, but I enjoyed reading your review.

Thank you, gali.

Sounds like an interesting book. Though I have read and heard about it a lot, domestic violence is something I could not comprehend. Why would someone want to inflict pain on the person he promised to cherish and why would the other person let it happen? Great job on the review.

Thank you, kimmyschemy. I was constantly asking that question when I was reading the book. Some people say it's love, but I cannot link together love and abuse.

Great review! I like the way you described Rosie's first person narration as unreliable. It sounds very realistic that she denied and made excuses for Garry's actions. The book sounds very interesting, even though the subject matter is harsh.

Thank you, bookowlie. The book is non-fiction, written as fiction. I'm pretty sure that Rosie is Ruth or somebody very close to her. I'm very worried about that woman. I loved the book but I couldn't agree with Rosie's behaviour; for her sake, not mine.

Hi chytach18-
Thanks for your honest review and feedback.
I am Rosie - Well worked out.
There's no need to worry about me everything is well now.
Ruth