Review: Uri Full of Light by Holly Sortland

Capturing the root, growth and revelations of romance during a tumultuous time in history, Uri Full of Light by author Holly Sortland is a vivid cultural snapshot and a delicate exploration of personal evolution.

Readers are immediately introduced to Hannah and Uri, the former a bold young woman with a penchant for white lies and profanity, and the latter being one of the few Jewish boys in his school – well-trained in letting conflict roll off his shoulders, to a point. This first impression is an important foundation, setting the tone for much of the authenticity that bubbles over throughout the novel.

This unlikely pair dominates the storyline of this decade-spanning tale, which brilliantly captures the awkwardness of youth, challenges to faith and family tradition, compassionate connection, and the pain of both real and vicarious loss as best friends and lovers grow up. Inspired by the author’s own personal connection to Judaism, this well-researched and touching read delves into timeless questions, while also feeling poignant and timely today.

The depiction of Uri’s family is engaging and genuine, allowing for the great depth of Jewish culture and history contained in this story, a perspective not often shown in Western literature. Hannah’s slow acceptance by the Jewish community is also patiently told and delicately described; the sincere sense of connection she feels is heartwarming and inspiring.

The emotional peak of her father’s hospitalization is a key transition in the story, a narrative intersection of faith, trust, forgiveness, grief, and redefinition. The maturation of the characters, and the blossoming complexity of their relationship demonstrates an impressive level of draftsmanship and empathy; the author knows these characters inside and out, and this intimacy makes the novel shine.

When Hannah (Chana) fully immerses in her new life in Israel, the novel takes a more societal and political turn, with the stakes being raised ever higher, safety no longer being promised, and loyalties being tested in dangerous ways. While the beginning of the novel is a slow-burning and carefully crafted fuse, the second half of the novel ups the pace and the intensity, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. The conflicts and subject matter may feel distant as an historical narrative, but there is an immediacy and relevance to the writing, couching the struggles in a way that resonates strongly in the present.

In terms of narrative skill and delicacy, some of the characters’ emotions are too explicitly spelled out for readers; a bit more emotional nuance would make the story all the more powerful. Generally, the writing is neatly edited and free of excessive tangents. While some expositional sections drag in terms of pacing, this remarkable story is challenging and unpredictable, dissecting unique and thought-provoking life paths with literary precision.

The language is authentic from start to finish, the detailed scope of the characters’ lives is multi-dimensional, and the dialogue is both emotionally charged and believable. Written with great intention, compassion and insight, this expansive novel from Holly Sortland is the kind of book that sticks in one’s memory as a source of inspiration, curiosity, and hope for the future.