Lush, poetic and elegant, Mark Helprin's writing has garnered accolades and a legion of loyal readers. His work has often featured elements of magic realism and satire that complement his extravagantly lovely prose. While In Sunlight and in Shadow proves a departure from those elements--its action, setting and characters are quite straightforward--it does return to themes that Helprin has explored before: post-World War II America (specifically, a gorgeously detailed New York City), class division in society and, perhaps most importantly, the nature of love.
In Sunlight and in Shadow begins with a chance encounter. It's May 1946 and Harry Copeland spies a beautiful young woman dressed in white: Catherine Thomas Hale, the only child of one of New York's wealthiest families. They fall in love, then Catherine reveals that she is engaged to the mean and vengeful Victor Marrow. But war veteran Harry has been renewed by love and will not be deterred. Throw in a mob boss who is squeezing Harry for money, and a dangerous all-or-nothing plan is formed.
At 700 pages, this is not a novel to rush through--it unfolds like a particularly intricate dreamscape with characters and plot revealed in small, jewel-like details. Helprin's gift for description cannot be overstated and his ability to convey the effects of war on both the micro and macro levels is extraordinary. The freighted love that Harry and Catherine share and the specter of violence form a delicate counterpoint, the sunshine and shadow of the title. Richly atmospheric and beautifully written, In Sunlight and in Shadow is a paean to love that will linger long in the imagination. --Debra Ginsberg, author