This book was unfortunately not for me. I was intrigued by the premise and the cover is gorgeous. But as I was reading it I found myself thinking about my shopping list for that week and other non related topics. Maybe I just read it at the wrong time - but I didn't feel connected to the characters and found the writing style quite slow to get through.

I wouldn't say that this is a bad book by any means, and I really liked some of the descriptive language used. I could see the scenes unfold in my head. I think for someone else this might be a five star - but for me it was just a bit underwhelming.

A beautifully written story with a lot of characters I wanted to know more about! The way the spaces, both internal and external, were built were beautiful and full. Interesting choice of having speech in italics, I’d like to know why but i wonder if it’s to do with how everything is so internal to Ivy? I got slightly confused by it every now and then but not too much! It’s a delicate read and the first section was so interesting with the writing style and capturing of nature and Ivy’s emotions. I loved the Frances and Ivy moments, I spent the first half of the book hoping we'd get more of them and I'm so glad we did. The storm section was beautiful, and the rooftop, and just the way Megan Hunter writes it all!

Although Days of Light is a novel of human relationships the phrase seems too cold for this kaleidoscope of emotions in an artistic family in which Ivy, lacking the gifts which surround her in a family of achievers seeks ordinariness. That she is not ordinary is at once her downfall and her power. She is the second child of Marina and Gilbert. Joseph her brother, is both her beloved and her uneasy beacon. Ivy is the beloved of none, a figure who is at once lit with possibilities that are hidden from her family, and a piece of grit as those around her paint and exhibit, write and overtly love in an atmosphere of unconventional but accepted relationships in the family home.

It is here at Cressingdon that on Easter Sunday the family awaits the late arrival of Frances, Joseph’s love, while consuming an ill cooked meal in an atmosphere fraught by their wish to be elsewhere. For the artists it is the lure of canvas or paper and pen, for Ivy it is the discomfort of being with her family. Only Anne, housekeeper, support, and comfort appears at ease. Her acceptance is at odds with the demands of the family for acknowledgement of their creativity and acceptance of their lifestyles.

Tragedy ends the Easter Sunday gathering, and it is tragedy that changes Ivy’s trajectory through life from nineteen to when she is well into her old age. Or is it? Is Ivy, the one who sees light and seeks mystery a person who controls her own life, tragedies either being of her making or a welcome intervention? Death, enemy buzz bomb attack, and loss of a love demand her attention and reaction. Ivy’s life is apportioned to days - Day One Easter Sunday 1938, Day Two April 1938, Day Three April 1944, Day Four April 1956, Day Five April 1965, Day Six Easter Sunday 1999, with brief recall of the past and her responses to love, now in her old age she knows to be her calling.

The lyrical writing, the kaleidoscope of light, events, feelings, and gradual movement towards Ivy’s self-knowledge is a blend of delight. This is the first of Megan Hunter’s books I have read and finishing it, immediately wanted more.

3.5
This is an atmospheric book, enveloping the reader in six important days in the life of the protagonist, beginning just before WWII and ending in the 1990’s. The scene is reminiscent of Bloomsbury, and the writing, at times, approaches Woolf, in that this is a very interior kind of narrative. However, despite enjoying the arc of the story, the observations of living through grief and the impacts that has on one’s choices, I didn’t really connect with the characters despite finding several of them Interesting and/or appealing. I viewed them all at a distance; none of them brought me in.

This is a lovely novel by a talented author. I especially admire the structure as the narrative “checks in” on Ivy on six different April days across the decades.

The pace is contemplative and a bit leisurely; this did not bother me, but I understand some readers are looking for a bit more action. There were enough surprising plot developments to retain my interest, and the writing is strong.

Ivy is a captivating protagonist. Her journey is subtle but oh so relatable.

Highly recommended for fans of literary fiction.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

4⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

a true delight to read, the writing flows effortlessly & the characters are well-developed & beautiful. well worth a read

I dove into this book and found myself buoyed by the depth of imagery written in each sentence. It took a bit getting used to, what I have heard called purple prose, but ended up not mired down, but lifted by it. I could see myself as a voyeur to love, loss, and redemption in this solid story, told with care and precision. Ivy, Joseph, Frances, and the rest of the gallery of characters were unique and intriguing. The relationship with Bear had me worried at first, but realizing that Ivy was old enough settled my fears. Well written and filled with depth and soul, I recommend Days of Light and feel blessed to have had a chance to read it. I will re-read in the future, something I rarely do, as it’s that good.

Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for this ARC!!

'Days of Light' is a novel following Ivy from Easter in 1938 and again around the same time in 1944, 1956, 1965, and 1999. An event that takes place on Easter in 38' that impacts her for years to come kicks off the novel. As the years go on, Ivy struggles with grief, love, spirituality, and understanding who she is.
Hunter's writing is easy and pretty, which I think many can enjoy and appreciate. I understand the decision to structure the narrative by following Ivy through days from multiple years, but because of that decision, it was difficult for me to pinpoint exactly who Ivy was as a character. I really wished that we got to see more of Ivy and a certain character (iykyk) and their dynamic.

Grateful to #NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC.

This novel follows Ivy through her journey from young womanhood into old age through six days over the course of her life.

The writing is absolutely beautiful and the characterization is incredible - this is a masterful example of the author showing, not telling, how Ivy has matured and how love and loss and life have reshaped her outlook. This is the type of book that sticks with you long after you have put it down and I expect that this novel will (deservingly!) be on many prize lists this year. 4.25/5 stars

I will read anything Megan Hunter writes. The Harpy and The End We Start From are two recent favorites, and Hunter’s latest, Days of Light, is another fantastic novel.

At the center of Days of Light, we have Ivy, whom we first meet as a teenager in pre-WW2 England. A child of bohemian artists, with little direction, she stumbles into a questionable relationship with an older man. After a life-changing incident, we follow Ivy across the next six decades of her life, and the fallout of said incident.

Oh my word, I love Ivy so much. Harper has created an incredibly special character here. I raced through the novel, desperately hoping for a happy ending. No spoilers, but I wept so much when I finished reading.

Hunter effectively captured the nuances of each decade, and the (albeit gradual) increased rights for women. I also enjoyed how Ivy’s confidence subtly increased in each chapter, as she became more self-assured.

I am so impressed by Days of Light. It’s my favorite Hunter novel, and that is high praise. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.

Days of Light didn’t quite resonate with me, even though literary fiction is one of my favorite genres, and the writing itself is solid. Unfortunately, the plot didn't pull me in, and I found myself disengaged most of the time. The pacing was slower than I prefer, and I struggled to connect with the direction of the story. I had to stop around the 25% mark, when the story was just too weird for my taste. Since I didn’t finish the book, I feel it wouldn’t be fair to leave a rating, but netgalley doesn't allow me to post this without one. I wanted to share my experience, as I felt that something about the story didn’t click for me, but I can see how others who enjoy slow-paced, character-driven stories might appreciate this one.

Days of Light tracks the life of Ivy, from her late teens through to old age, across six pivotal April days. It’s a story that’s linear, but not without its unexpected turns. Hunter’s prose was a joy to read and Days of Light is packed with absorbing explorations of grief, loss and family. But the overarching story and trajectory of Ivy’s life fell flat for me and made it harder at times (especially during a slower second half) to keep the pages turning.

This is a book I’ll be recommending to readers happy going at a slower pace in return for rich, reflective writing.

Reading this book felt like being told a dream—it was surreal and beautiful, almost hypnotic at times. I loved how the writer told the story, with a dreamlike quality that pulled me in right away.

That being said, as the book went on, the pacing slowed down a lot. By the end, it started to feel a bit boring, and I found myself losing interest. There were also parts where I almost missed what was happening in the storyline, so I had to read really carefully. That might just be me, though.

This was an interesting premise for storytelling, although it did end up feeling more fragmented than I had anticipated.

A thoroughly enjoyable read! I loved the time-spanning format and the delicate but thorough development of Ivy’s character. It was a little slow to get going, but I was soon hooked!

Megan Hunter’s Days of Light is a beautifully crafted historical novel that follows Ivy’s life across six pivotal days spanning six decades. Starting in 1938, Ivy’s story of love, art, and self-discovery unfolds in stunning prose, set against a vividly depicted, changing England.

Hunter masterfully blends personal moments with the sweep of history, making Ivy’s journey feel both intimate and profound. This radiant, reflective novel stayed with me long after I finished reading. Perfect for anyone who enjoys thoughtful, character-driven stories.

beckywiththegoodbooks_Days of light ~ Megan Hunter, thank you so much to @netgalley for an early ARC of this book. The blurb of this one peaked my interest honestly because I couldn't quite gauge what it was actually about and I saw excitement in that mystery. Unfortunately that feeling sort of stayed with me throughout the book and it never really fell into place for me. Set over "6 days" but actually 6 stages of Ivy's life which transcend throughout the war, this is a book about love and light in all its forms, mother and daughter, man and woman, woman and woman, friendships and siblings. It also touches on themes such as religion, spirituality and unexpected death.
There were parts of this book that I was really drawn into, I loved the prose around Ivy and Frances' relationship and how this grew into something holy and beautiful, and I momentarily was drawn into the suspense around the loss of Joseph in the river and what might have been. However, overall this didn't quite hit the mark for me. That isn't to say that it wasn't beautifully written because it was, and certain paragraphs really made me grapple with their greater meaning. I really love character centric novels and I think due to the nature of the structure of this book (i.e,. set across 6 fleeting days or timelapse's) it was hard to build that momentum/ detail around the characters for me to really resonate with any of them, it all felt a bit too brief.

Days of Light by Megan Hunter is an introspective and lyrical exploration of art, desire, and faith set against the sweeping backdrop of mid-20th century England. Known for her experimental style and emotional precision, Hunter crafts a novel that moves through pivotal moments in one woman’s life with an almost dreamlike quality. However, despite its evocative prose and poignant themes, the narrative at times feels meandering, with an emotional core that doesn’t always fully resonate.

The novel opens on Easter Sunday, 1938, with Ivy at the cusp of adulthood—idealistic, restless, and yearning for something greater than the small dramas of her bohemian family’s countryside gatherings. The descriptions of this initial setting are breathtaking, capturing the golden, suspended moment before history changes forever. Ivy’s anticipation of the mysterious Frances, her brother Joseph’s charismatic new partner, adds an undercurrent of romantic tension to the seemingly idyllic scene. Hunter skillfully evokes the quiet dread of a world unknowingly on the brink of war and personal upheaval.

The structure of the novel—six pivotal days spanning six decades—offers an intriguing way to tell Ivy’s story. However, the fragmented format, while ambitious, sometimes feels disconnected. Each chapter is beautifully written but functions more like a vignette than a cohesive part of a larger narrative. This approach creates a mosaic of Ivy’s life rather than a flowing arc, which may appeal to some readers but may leave others feeling unmoored.

Hunter’s language is undeniably gorgeous, full of luminous imagery and philosophical reflections. She captures both the grandeur and the mundanity of life, from moments of profound grief and love to small observations about nature and human frailty. However, this emphasis on style sometimes comes at the expense of emotional immediacy. Ivy’s character, while richly drawn in some respects, remains somewhat enigmatic throughout the decades. Her motivations, particularly regarding her relationships and longings, are hinted at rather than deeply explored, making it difficult to fully connect with her.

The novel’s historical scope, moving through the Second World War and into the closing years of the 20th century, is handled with subtlety rather than bombast. Hunter is less interested in historical events themselves and more in how they reverberate through Ivy’s personal journey. This approach lends the story a quiet intimacy but can also feel removed from the larger historical context that shapes Ivy’s life. Key relationships, particularly Ivy’s connection to Frances and her brother Joseph, are central to the narrative, but they sometimes feel elusive rather than fully realized.

One of the novel’s strengths is its meditation on time, memory, and the small moments that come to define an entire life. Hunter captures how a single evening—an enchanted dinner, a conversation in the moonlight—can alter the course of everything, even if the meaning of that moment isn’t fully understood until years later. Ivy’s pursuit of answers feels achingly real, especially as she grapples with the meaning of her choices and the inevitability of loss.

However, the novel’s philosophical tone, while beautiful, can feel ponderous at times. Some readers may find the narrative’s pace slow and its themes overly abstract, particularly in the middle sections, where Ivy’s internal reflections overshadow the plot.

At 3 stars, Days of Light is a contemplative and stylistically ambitious novel that captures the fleeting beauty of life’s defining moments. Megan Hunter’s prose is undeniably luminous, and her ability to convey the emotional weight of time and memory is remarkable. However, the novel’s fragmented structure and elusive characterizations may leave some readers feeling more distanced than immersed. Fans of literary historical fiction with a philosophical bent, such as the works of Virginia Woolf or Rachel Cusk, will likely appreciate Hunter’s thoughtful storytelling, even if it doesn’t quite achieve the same emotional payoff as her earlier works.

Hello! Thank you for this ARC. I really enjoyed and found the execution of the "life in perspective" trope original and very well executed. You can see below the exact review I will share on social media as well as the link for the goodreads review page.

In case the book will still go through a round of minor edits before launch, my only comment/suggestion is that the first chapter feels very slow paced and has a lot of details and descriptions that, while beautiful, make the process of getting into the story a bit harder and slower than ideal. I did not feel this at all in the remaining chapters and after reading the book, when I skimmed the first chapter again I got a new appreciation for some of the details that had seemed unrelated in my first read, but I still believe this chapter would benefit from being slightly shorter or fast paced.

On a different topic: Ivy is an outstanding character and the author has done an amazing job in building her personality and making her so complex and yet, in my opinion, very likeable.

Review to be posted on my socials:

I received an ARC of this book from Netgally and I'm really glad I picked it as my first read of 2025, as this book was such a good surprise!

We follow Ivy's life from the moment she is 19 until the is an old woman. Her story is told through 6 impacful and pivotal days that change the trajectory of her life. There were several plot twists that I did not see coming and, as Ivy's life shifted and evolved (often in very unexpected ways) so did my opinion of her. The first chapter/day was a bit slow paced (also reflecting that feeling of stagnation so many people feel when they are young and waiting for their life to really start) but the following days/chapters were slightly faster. Ivy reinvented herself and lived several lives in one and it was easy to like her and to lose myself in her world. There is a good balance between plot, depth and literary prose.

I understand the idea. I understand the message behind that, But still... I struggled to get to the end.

It is not an easy story. Ivy had gone through a lot and we can only stand and observe how she is fighting for her life and trying to achieve some balans.

Days of Light is a very demanding book and I failed. Cause even though I had read to the very last page, I would not come back to it ever again.