A Candle Or The Sun by Gopal Baratham – Review

In One Word: Witty
A Beautiful Sentence: “…she probably regards me as a tango come to grief.”

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The Plot: Hernando Perera, a furniture department manager and writer, leads a quiet life. He avoids questioning much until he loses his job. Slowly, he begins to question his own passivity and to take action.

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This book reminded me of Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, but with a Singaporean twist and a male protagonist. Hernie’s aloofness echoes Eleanor’s, but unlike her, he doesn’t live alone. Both characters, however, share a deep disengagement from society.

The novel begins with Hernie living a steady, uneventful life. He works a job, has a wife and owns a home. For him, it feels like enough. When he loses his job, it seems at first that he will quickly move into another routine. But surprisingly, he begins to question his life and gradually changes.

Hernie’s character might frustrate readers. Deep down, we all recognize parts of ourselves in him.

What I loved most were the brilliant descriptions of the characters. Even the minor ones felt alive and dynamic, with distinct ways of speaking and acting. My favorite was Mrs. Herrera, Hernie’s dramatic mother, who lived as though she were always on a film set.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of Captain Vermeer. He is an imaginary character who leads the Singapore Volunteer Corps during the Japanese assault. As someone who volunteers with the SAFVC, I loved seeing this piece of history highlighted. Vermeer’s story, though brief, helps readers understand Hernie’s struggle with conformity and courage.

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Takeaway:
A novel that makes you laugh while holding up a mirror to your own passivity. This is not a book for the sensitive soul, but perfect for anyone ready to reflect on how they engage with the world.