In a world that is nearing its end, one must learn how to survive and remain resilient in the face of imminent danger. The Sunlight Pilgrims tells the story of two broken, yet interconnected families. Through an intrinsic need to work together, these families learn how to adapt and survive impending doom. Climate change is ravaging the small town of Clachan Fells in Jenni Fagan’s novel The Sunlight Pilgrims. Temperatures have dropped below zero and conditions are becoming unbearable. The Sunlight Pilgrims chronicles the adventures of Constance, Stella, Dylan, and Alistair. As they uncover the secrets of the world around them, they also discover their meaningful connections to each other. Whether they approve of it or not, “nothing is connected
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However, Stella, Dylan, and Constance are all able to pause and revel in the beauty of nature. Fagan introduces parhelia in the prologue and references it throughout the story. The phenomenon known as the parhelia occurs when the sun reflects ice crystals, giving the appearance of three suns in the sky. This is often a sign of large storm approaching (Fagan 1). Stella was particularly fascinated with the parhelia, remarking, “I met someone once who told me you can drink energy from the sun, store it in your cells so you grow strong. She said we should all do it. It’s like a backup store of it in our cells; she said there were sunlight pilgrims doing it all the time- it’s how they get through the dark, by stashing up as much light as they can” (Fagan 124). Stella faced various hardships throughout the story. Yet, she remained resilient, just like the sunlight pilgrims. Although the potential worst storm in Clachan Fells history could hit the small town, the wonders of nature rarely ceased to fascinate Stella. Even Dylan could not help but become mesmerized as the beautiful terror of nature unfolded in front of him. Fagan offers beautiful imagery as she narrates; “he is so high up now, he crosses over a burn and a trickle of water joins the rough swish of his jeans and a crunch of frosted pine needles as he walks. There is a new track at the bottom of the mountain and a post with a blue square on it and a green square to indicate the beginning of a heritage trail. He turns and looks back down the mountain and the landscape spreads out, vertiginous” (Fagan
However, Stella, Dylan, and Constance are all able to pause and revel in the beauty of nature. Fagan introduces parhelia in the prologue and references it throughout the story. The phenomenon known as the parhelia occurs when the sun reflects ice crystals, giving the appearance of three suns in the sky. This is often a sign of large storm approaching (Fagan 1). Stella was particularly fascinated with the parhelia, remarking, “I met someone once who told me you can drink energy from the sun, store it in your cells so you grow strong. She said we should all do it. It’s like a backup store of it in our cells; she said there were sunlight pilgrims doing it all the time- it’s how they get through the dark, by stashing up as much light as they can” (Fagan 124). Stella faced various hardships throughout the story. Yet, she remained resilient, just like the sunlight pilgrims. Although the potential worst storm in Clachan Fells history could hit the small town, the wonders of nature rarely ceased to fascinate Stella. Even Dylan could not help but become mesmerized as the beautiful terror of nature unfolded in front of him. Fagan offers beautiful imagery as she narrates; “he is so high up now, he crosses over a burn and a trickle of water joins the rough swish of his jeans and a crunch of frosted pine needles as he walks. There is a new track at the bottom of the mountain and a post with a blue square on it and a green square to indicate the beginning of a heritage trail. He turns and looks back down the mountain and the landscape spreads out, vertiginous” (Fagan