Notes from the Shelf

The Sun was Electric Light by Rachel Morton – Grief & Introspection

Genre: literary fiction

Pages: 211

Rating:  ★★★★☆

Buy: Bookshop.org

This post contains spoilers.

Book Summary

The Sun was Electric Light follows Ruth as she feels like everything in life is not real. She flees her life in New York City to a lake in Guatamala. There, she meets Emilie briefly, where they develop a relationship, and she also meets Carmen and Dwain, two seemingly Americans who grew up at the lake. Ruth must navigate her two different lives, one with Emilie and one with Carmen and Dwain, until tragedy strikes and she is left with re-making her life once again.

My Thoughts

The Sun was Electric Light is a quiet, introspective novel that explores grief, isolation, memory, and the strange beauty of everyday life. The setting feels both grounded and surreal as Ruth navigates emotional stagnation and the slow, almost imperceptible changes that come with time, relationships, and inner reflection.

This book feels a bit like a dream. Things are happening internally without everything spelled out for the reader, which I appreciated, although I could see it not being everyone’s cup of tea. Some may find it too introspective or uneventful since there’s not much action or plot. The main driver of the story is Ruth’s search to feel real, so we’re very much inside her head. It did feel a bit rambly at times, where Ruth would repeat her ideas in slightly different ways. There is also a detached tone, so it was a bit hard to connect to the characters, although I think this was done intentionally since Ruth is constantly struggling to feel like things are real.

Final Thoughts

Rachel Morton’s writing is sparce but evocative, where every sentence feels intentional. There’s a rhythm to her prose that invites you to read slowly and to feel. At just over 200 pages, it’s a short read, but it lingers long after the final page.

If you’re in the mood for something quiet and contemplative, The Sun Was Electric Light is worth picking up. It’s not a book that shouts—it hums. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for a fast-paced story or a strong narrative arc, but for literary fiction fans who love character studies and subtle emotional resonance, it’s a gem.

If you’re intrigued by The Sun Was Electric Light and want to experience its introspective, dreamlike style, consider buying a copy through Bookshop.org. Supporting this link helps sustain independent bookstores and keeps this blog thriving.