Review of 'Catching the Light' by Joanna Horton
Release date: April 1, 2025
Publisher: Ultimo Press
REVIEW
Although I have not read Joanna Horton’s debut novel, it is obvious from her second release Catching the Light that she is an impressive and insightful writer who easily and thoroughly explores the minds and actions of her characters. The complex relationships portrayed in this novel, reveal the depth and multi-facets of personalities—particularly of those who are artists. Catching the Light captures the human form in its various shades and textures: the brittle and soft edges exposing intentions and masks. Like paint on a canvas—we follow the curves and lines of each stroke and try to make sense of love, grief, self and public reflections. This exceptional expose´ takes us on a fascinating, riveting journey. But like a tall candle, it burns slowly down to its wick, revealing the smouldering centre that has once sparked the fires of the imagination.
Sylvie, a single mother gives birth to her daughter, Alice, at a young age. Now older, she yearns to have her creative juices flowing again. When she meets a famous artist and falls under his spell, she gives up all that appears to be a restriction in her life to pursue and capture the freedom, light and attention she craves. Packing up her daughter, she moves to Isaiah, an artist commune, where their lives begin to change. Lessons will be learned from harsh revelations. And soon it will be seen that all is not as perfect as hoped. Sylvie’s relationship with her daughter suffers gradually, the deeper she falls into the tortured well of Michael, the painter. His cult leader tendencies are realised and we are reminded of similar figures in history who came to a bitter end when they fell from their lofty heights of unsavoury ambitions.
Sylvie forms an image in her mind of Michael, one that at the beginning she loves. But over time and while engaging in his everyday activities at Isaiah, she begins to see different sides and versions of him. At first what she perceives entices her but eventually his changed form (or her perceptions of him) suddenly does not fit into those neat boxes she has painted.
The story is told in two timelines. We see a younger and older version of Sylvie plus a fourteen and twenty-seven year old Alice. The differences between them are evident. But as time progresses, it is interesting to note those broader changes. We also see how Alice’s life has been shaped by the choices her mother made, and the long lasting effects of living in the commune during the formative years. When Caroline, an art historian seeks out Alice, now a PHD student, to write a story about Michael, deep memories surface and stark realisations come in the form of self-questioning. Alice’s quiet acts of rebellion are smoky images smudged across a canvas. Could these artistic enactments be seen as exploitation? There’s plenty of moral ambiguity, mishandling of power and conscience control when innocence and maturity silently meet.
There are some very creative and rich poetic lines in this story that shake up concepts and perceptions. The author gives us lots to ponder and process as we walk in the footsteps of the characters and see through their eyes, the dramas, disappointments and discoveries they embrace and shake. This is one of these stories that stealthily enters your thoughts and burns in the background. Though the topics are confronting, crisp clear images make this an intriguing reading experience. For those who enjoy well written literary stories that present social challenges and dive into a character’s psyche to unravel the human condition, this is for you. Art faces heart in a dangerous dual. 4.5 Stars
Thanks to Ultimo Press for a review copy.
