Bodies of Light

Sisters Ally and May Moberley grow up in Victorian Manchester, divided by bitterness and tragedy. Ally leaves home to escape and begins a new life in London. Bodies of Light is a profound and provocative book about family.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2021
Publisher: Granta Books

Sisters Ally and May Moberley grow up in Victorian Manchester, surrounded by their father's decadent paintings and dominated by their austere, evangelical mother. While May poses for the artists in her father's circle, Ally devotes herself to her mother's ambitions, working hard to join the first generation of female doctors. But soon bitterness and tragedy divide the family, and Ally leaves home to escape the subtle terrors of her childhood and begin a new life in London.

Bodies of Light is a profound and provocative book about family. It is a gripping story told with rare precision and tenderness.

Growing up in Victorian Manchester, sisters Ally and May Moberley were immersed in their father's artistic world, surrounded by his decadent paintings and influenced by their strict, evangelical mother. While May eagerly embraced the attention of her father's circle, Ally dedicated herself to fulfilling her mother's aspirations, working tirelessly to become one of the first female doctors. However, as time passed, resentment and tragedy threatened to tear the family apart, leading Ally to leave her home and start a new life in London.

Bodies of Light is a deeply introspective and thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics. Told with remarkable precision and emotional depth, this captivating story unfolds like a delicate dance between past and present, unveiling the intricate web of relationships and the profound impact of trauma on individuals and their families.

At the heart of the novel is the Moberley family, a once-close-knit unit shattered by the weight of secrets and unspoken desires. Ally, the eldest sister, is a fierce and determined woman who has sacrificed her own dreams to support her mother's ambitions. May, on the other hand, is a beautiful and enigmatic creature who finds solace in the world of art, but her inner struggles and desires often clash with the expectations of her family.

As the story progresses, Ally's journey to London becomes a metaphor for her search for self-discovery and liberation. She leaves behind the constraints of her childhood and the suffocating presence of her mother, seeking a new beginning in a city that promises endless possibilities. In London, Ally immerses herself in the world of medicine, learning from some of the most renowned doctors of the time. She also meets a young artist named Jack, who captures her heart with his passion and creativity.

Through their interactions, Ally begins to unravel the layers of her past and confront the demons that have haunted her for years. She realizes that her mother's ambitions were not always driven by her love for her daughters but by her own desires for power and recognition. Ally also confronts the painful memory of her father's suicide, which had left her feeling abandoned and lost.

As Ally's journey unfolds, the novel delves into the complexities of family relationships and the power of forgiveness. It explores the ways in which trauma can shape individuals and their relationships, and how the search for healing and closure can be a lifelong process. Through the characters of Ally, May, and Jack, the novel offers a poignant portrayal of the human experience, highlighting the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

Bodies of Light is a masterful work of fiction that will leave readers deeply moved and contemplative. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to explore the depths of the human heart. This novel is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered about the complexities of family, the nature of love, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783787678