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A Sorrow Named Joy
Joy desires nothing more than her husband's happiness. She spends her days creating the perfect life for him in their idyllic suburban home. Everything is neat, predictable, and in its place.
When Joy finds a picture that hints at a past she cannot remember, the facade cracks. As secrets are revealed, Joy realizes her blissful life is crumbling and to find herself, she must first lose herself.
Perfect, after all, is only an illusion.
Winner of the Bronze Quill for Best Novella from the League of Utah Writers, 2022.
Winner of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship, 2023
When Joy finds a picture that hints at a past she cannot remember, the facade cracks. As secrets are revealed, Joy realizes her blissful life is crumbling and to find herself, she must first lose herself.
Perfect, after all, is only an illusion.
Winner of the Bronze Quill for Best Novella from the League of Utah Writers, 2022.
Winner of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship, 2023
Unknown Binding
First published January 10, 2022
9 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Chorn
34 books504 followersSarah has been a compulsive reader her whole life. At a young age, she found her reading niche in the fantastic genre of Speculative Fiction. She blames her active imagination for the hobbies that threaten to consume her life. She is a freelance writer and editor, a semi-pro nature photographer, world traveler, three-time cancer survivor with hEDS, and mom to two. In her ideal world, she’d do nothing but drink lots of tea and read from a never-ending pile of speculative fiction books. She has been running the book review blog Bookworm Blues since 2010, editing full-time since 2016, and currently works freelance and as the staff editor for Grimdark Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 14, 2022
A wonderful novella with a lot of heart. The story is bittersweet and heartwarming, the writing is gorgeous, and the deeper meanings are poignant. It's not my usual cup of tea, but I'm so glad I gave it a try.
October 21, 2022
Sarah Chorn never ceases to amaze me, or make me cry.
This is a small wonder of a book, a beautiful and thoughtful story.
I loved the themes and the emotion. The element of science fiction is only secondary to the story, but adds a layer of wonder that leads you down a path of introspection. Like all good stories of the genre, the ones that provoke the big questions, are the best.
Sarah Chorn writes the most sublime prose. Her words literally move me to tears; reading her books has become like therapy, a form of catharsis. I can't recommend this story or her writing highly enough.
This is a small wonder of a book, a beautiful and thoughtful story.
I loved the themes and the emotion. The element of science fiction is only secondary to the story, but adds a layer of wonder that leads you down a path of introspection. Like all good stories of the genre, the ones that provoke the big questions, are the best.
Sarah Chorn writes the most sublime prose. Her words literally move me to tears; reading her books has become like therapy, a form of catharsis. I can't recommend this story or her writing highly enough.
February 2, 2022
Thank you very much to the author, Sarah Chorn for sending me a review copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review! My opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed Of Honey and Wildfires by Sarah Chorn and am planning to read the sequel in March for #marchofthesequels, so when I was offered a review copy of A Sorrow Named Joy I was beyond excited to read it. This story is a fairly short Science Fiction novella, but a lot of emotion and heart are crammed into its pages.
Sarah Chorn is well known for her wonderful prose and it did not disappoint in any way. The character of Joy is heartbreaking. Her existence revolves entirely around the happiness of her husband Mike. I found myself wanting to slap her and tell her to find her own life:
“And Joy… broke. Came apart. Spilled everywhere. A mess of colors and a riot of sensation, the hint of a woman but none of the substance. She felt that glass that had cracked earlier. Felt it in her soul, one thin pane holding back all this agony. Felt it break. Mike was gone and all that was left was emptiness. Who was she without him, the sun of her life, to define her?”
“”I made you dinner,” she sniffled. What a stupid thing to say. What a stupid thing to fixate on. But those were the only words she could find, and somehow her whole existence was bound up in them. I made you dinner. Like that was everything she was, and everything she ever wanted to be. A creature created to make things for a man named Mike.”
There is a mystery to Joy’s story, I wanted to know how she had got to be so lacking in her own desires and interests. She seemed tied to the house and the grocery store – things which were familiar. I wondered if she was perhaps an amnesiac who was trying to go through the motions until her memories returned. I also had other theories about their situation, but I will not mention those here. The eventual reveal brings to light some questionable decisions made by her husband which have brought into being this kind of ‘non-life’ for Joy. Mike is a much more interesting character in the light of these decisions – a tortured soul who had allowed himself to wallow in his all-consuming raw emotions.
Another character in the story, Joy’s neighbour, Marlene, is going through a hard time and in need of friendship. Her marriage is breaking apart, and through her we see the strength of a woman in pain who knows she must keep going. I feel like the strength of people in the face of emotional pain is a theme in Chorn’s writing. It was tackled so expertly in Of Honey and Wildfires and here we see it again:
“For a moment, their eyes met, and in them, Joy saw a wealth of understanding, of acceptance, of pain not given voice. This was a woman coming undone and yet fiercely refusing to break. This was strength in its purest form. Giants, Joy realized, truly did walk this world.”
An event in the story causes Joy to undergo a kind of emotional awakening. She is now capable of feelings that do not solely revolve around Mike and she discovers a love for painting. She also retains her empathy for her husband but it is not the be all and end all of her existence:
“She saw the exhaustion sitting on him, the way it slumped his shoulders, and wondered what kind of exhaustion it was. Did physical exhaustion weigh more than emotional exhaustion? Were they like warring dogs fighting over the scraps of him?”
This was a short novella and I read it in one sitting. I would recommend it to anyone curious about Chorn’s writing.
I really enjoyed Of Honey and Wildfires by Sarah Chorn and am planning to read the sequel in March for #marchofthesequels, so when I was offered a review copy of A Sorrow Named Joy I was beyond excited to read it. This story is a fairly short Science Fiction novella, but a lot of emotion and heart are crammed into its pages.
Sarah Chorn is well known for her wonderful prose and it did not disappoint in any way. The character of Joy is heartbreaking. Her existence revolves entirely around the happiness of her husband Mike. I found myself wanting to slap her and tell her to find her own life:
“And Joy… broke. Came apart. Spilled everywhere. A mess of colors and a riot of sensation, the hint of a woman but none of the substance. She felt that glass that had cracked earlier. Felt it in her soul, one thin pane holding back all this agony. Felt it break. Mike was gone and all that was left was emptiness. Who was she without him, the sun of her life, to define her?”
“”I made you dinner,” she sniffled. What a stupid thing to say. What a stupid thing to fixate on. But those were the only words she could find, and somehow her whole existence was bound up in them. I made you dinner. Like that was everything she was, and everything she ever wanted to be. A creature created to make things for a man named Mike.”
There is a mystery to Joy’s story, I wanted to know how she had got to be so lacking in her own desires and interests. She seemed tied to the house and the grocery store – things which were familiar. I wondered if she was perhaps an amnesiac who was trying to go through the motions until her memories returned. I also had other theories about their situation, but I will not mention those here. The eventual reveal brings to light some questionable decisions made by her husband which have brought into being this kind of ‘non-life’ for Joy. Mike is a much more interesting character in the light of these decisions – a tortured soul who had allowed himself to wallow in his all-consuming raw emotions.
Another character in the story, Joy’s neighbour, Marlene, is going through a hard time and in need of friendship. Her marriage is breaking apart, and through her we see the strength of a woman in pain who knows she must keep going. I feel like the strength of people in the face of emotional pain is a theme in Chorn’s writing. It was tackled so expertly in Of Honey and Wildfires and here we see it again:
“For a moment, their eyes met, and in them, Joy saw a wealth of understanding, of acceptance, of pain not given voice. This was a woman coming undone and yet fiercely refusing to break. This was strength in its purest form. Giants, Joy realized, truly did walk this world.”
An event in the story causes Joy to undergo a kind of emotional awakening. She is now capable of feelings that do not solely revolve around Mike and she discovers a love for painting. She also retains her empathy for her husband but it is not the be all and end all of her existence:
“She saw the exhaustion sitting on him, the way it slumped his shoulders, and wondered what kind of exhaustion it was. Did physical exhaustion weigh more than emotional exhaustion? Were they like warring dogs fighting over the scraps of him?”
This was a short novella and I read it in one sitting. I would recommend it to anyone curious about Chorn’s writing.
April 3, 2023
I read this as a little escape from my fantasy rabbit hole. I loved the title and the gorgeous cover and thought "Why not?". Otherwise I went in completely blind and I think that is the best way to approach it. So why are you still reading my tiny review? Go fetch a copy and read it yourself.
It is a bittersweet and wonderful character study. There is a twist in the middle of the book which I didn't expect in the least and it turned out that I was completely wrong about the genre.
And the prose ... the prose is hauntingly beautiful. Maybe it is the best novella I have ever read, only the ending was a bit too cheesy for my taste.
The title and the cover are a good indicator if the book is for you or not. If that has no appeal to you likely the content will have neither. You might want to read it anyway because you might learn more about people within these 66 pages of art than if you pick up a random scientific psychology book.
It was my first journey into Sarah Chorn's work but it will not be my last.
@Sarah
If you read this, please think of providing a physical edition of this. It would be a perfect gift for some of my friends.
It is a bittersweet and wonderful character study. There is a twist in the middle of the book which I didn't expect in the least and it turned out that I was completely wrong about the genre.
And the prose ... the prose is hauntingly beautiful. Maybe it is the best novella I have ever read, only the ending was a bit too cheesy for my taste.
The title and the cover are a good indicator if the book is for you or not. If that has no appeal to you likely the content will have neither. You might want to read it anyway because you might learn more about people within these 66 pages of art than if you pick up a random scientific psychology book.
It was my first journey into Sarah Chorn's work but it will not be my last.
@Sarah
If you read this, please think of providing a physical edition of this. It would be a perfect gift for some of my friends.
March 23, 2024
Read this one as a finalist in SFINCS, however I already owned the kindle version! Read it in a single sitting while having some trouble focusing, so this was a real good one.
While this one was rather short, I was surprised how long into the story it felt when it finally took a turn into the sci-fi direction. Beforehand I wasn’t sure if the story was just going to remain about a dysfunctional relationship or not. While it still is, the twist definitely elevated it to another level for me.
Joy lives her life anticipating her husbands every desire. And it comes naturally. Breakfast and coffee, quiet mornings, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, and gardening. All for the man she loved. But there’s something big that Joy doesn’t know.
As the story unfolds, Joy looks to capture a new sense of self. What makes her happy? How does she create that sense of self? And do the things that always made her feel whole actually do anything for her now? The author writes in such a way that every reader will be faced with asking themselves the same questions that Joy is faced with. And what makes any of us happy?
Now, I’ve said it before, and I’ll most definitely say it again, Sarah Chorn is the Queen of writing emotion. Every word she creates, every sentence, character, scene, is absolutely crushing. Not just beautiful prose, but truly deep and thoughtful writing.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-a-sorr...
While this one was rather short, I was surprised how long into the story it felt when it finally took a turn into the sci-fi direction. Beforehand I wasn’t sure if the story was just going to remain about a dysfunctional relationship or not. While it still is, the twist definitely elevated it to another level for me.
Joy lives her life anticipating her husbands every desire. And it comes naturally. Breakfast and coffee, quiet mornings, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, and gardening. All for the man she loved. But there’s something big that Joy doesn’t know.
As the story unfolds, Joy looks to capture a new sense of self. What makes her happy? How does she create that sense of self? And do the things that always made her feel whole actually do anything for her now? The author writes in such a way that every reader will be faced with asking themselves the same questions that Joy is faced with. And what makes any of us happy?
Now, I’ve said it before, and I’ll most definitely say it again, Sarah Chorn is the Queen of writing emotion. Every word she creates, every sentence, character, scene, is absolutely crushing. Not just beautiful prose, but truly deep and thoughtful writing.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-a-sorr...
January 12, 2024
5/5 Stars
I read this novella as part of SFINCS
I devoured this is one sitting. This is a moving exploration of truths, self discovery, happiness, and the meaning of being alive. Sarah Chorn isn’t afraid to dig into deeper topics of mental health and treats them with dignity and compassion.
The story follows a housewife named Joy; she goes about her daily routine to ensure her husbands happiness. Simple things such as weeding her garden and trips to the grocery store bring her peace. Until she finds a photo of a past, she can’t remember, and her world of order and perfection begin to crumble.
In roughly 70 pages, Sarah Chorn manages to capture a beautiful and heart-breaking story through an immersive read. From the first page, I quickly became invested in Joy’s life and the oddities of her choices and interests. From intrigue, and an exploration of humanity, A Sorrow Named Joy will make readers think long after reading.
Sarah Chorn’s ability to craft emotionally evocative stories, and meaningful explorations on heavier topics is unmatched.
At the end of the day, this is one best experienced for yourself and I highly recommend giving it a try.
I read this novella as part of SFINCS
I devoured this is one sitting. This is a moving exploration of truths, self discovery, happiness, and the meaning of being alive. Sarah Chorn isn’t afraid to dig into deeper topics of mental health and treats them with dignity and compassion.
The story follows a housewife named Joy; she goes about her daily routine to ensure her husbands happiness. Simple things such as weeding her garden and trips to the grocery store bring her peace. Until she finds a photo of a past, she can’t remember, and her world of order and perfection begin to crumble.
In roughly 70 pages, Sarah Chorn manages to capture a beautiful and heart-breaking story through an immersive read. From the first page, I quickly became invested in Joy’s life and the oddities of her choices and interests. From intrigue, and an exploration of humanity, A Sorrow Named Joy will make readers think long after reading.
Sarah Chorn’s ability to craft emotionally evocative stories, and meaningful explorations on heavier topics is unmatched.
At the end of the day, this is one best experienced for yourself and I highly recommend giving it a try.
November 1, 2022
Ever since I started getting into the indie/self pub community, I’ve been hearing nothing but amazing things about Sarah Chorn’s writing and storytelling. And boy, did this little wonder of a story live up to that hype.
In just 70-ish pages, Chorn managed to tell a story that will stick with me for a long, long time. The themes of identity and exploring your purpose in life resonated with me on every single level and the poignant, beautiful prose made the messages hit home all the harder. The story is raw, emotional and thought-provoking, but it will ultimately leave you with a feeling of hope and, yes, joy. This is exactly the type of reading experience that I am always on the hunt for.
I am not even going to go into the plot here, because I think part of the magic of this story is just seeing it all unfold for yourself.
This story is so painfully but beautifully human. I adored it and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, especially if you are feeling a little lost in life right now.
I can’t wait to read more by Sarah Chorn now, what a master of her craft.
In just 70-ish pages, Chorn managed to tell a story that will stick with me for a long, long time. The themes of identity and exploring your purpose in life resonated with me on every single level and the poignant, beautiful prose made the messages hit home all the harder. The story is raw, emotional and thought-provoking, but it will ultimately leave you with a feeling of hope and, yes, joy. This is exactly the type of reading experience that I am always on the hunt for.
I am not even going to go into the plot here, because I think part of the magic of this story is just seeing it all unfold for yourself.
This story is so painfully but beautifully human. I adored it and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, especially if you are feeling a little lost in life right now.
I can’t wait to read more by Sarah Chorn now, what a master of her craft.
April 28, 2023
I read this novella a while back but forgot to add it to my Goodreads.
Had a great time with it! Definitely want to read some of Chorn's other work now!
Had a great time with it! Definitely want to read some of Chorn's other work now!
March 29, 2024
This book was reviewed as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship, or SFINCS, which I am judging as part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my honest thoughts and does not represent the opinion or final rating of the team.
I’d originally read A Sorrow Named Joy over a year ago, and being the terrible person I am, I didn’t get around to reviewing it… until now! It’s actually rare for me to read a book twice, but this novella certainly warranted a second read-through and revealed aspects of itself and the main character that were easy to miss the first time around.
While this story starts off with a contemporary domestic setting that isn’t usually my thing, it’s worth sticking with for the reveal and aftermath as we learn about Joy and her dilemmas.
Characters
As you may gather from the clever title, this is the story of Joy, a housewife devoted to her husband Mike, who maintains her home with impeccable fastidiousness in order to make him happy. She’s satisfied with her place in life, that is until she discovers a mysterious photo of herself that she doesn’t remember… And it unravels her entire life with Mike. Joy is quite simply a joy to read. Her journey is one of hope and optimism.
Contrary to that is Mike, whose journey is one of pain and sorrow. While the story focuses on Joy and her development, I appreciate Mike’s character also and how the author wrote his own path.
Setting
The story mostly takes place in Joy and Mike’s home, along with their beautiful garden. Although this is a contemporary setting, there are signs that this could also be set in the near future. While the author writes through the delicate emotional journey that Joy goes through, it’s Joy’s place in the home and her relationship with it that also changes to reflect her journey.
Plot
This is the story of Joy as she realises she doesn’t belong in her current life and must find her place within it. There are hints of a mystery here, as we learn the truth about the mysterious photo, but this story is mostly about self-discovery. It’s full of quiet moments, though I wouldn’t call it slow paced. This story takes its time to process Joy’s emotions, and it lingers at just the right places to contemplate and savour them. To say more of the character reveals would be a spoiler, but I found the reveal and ending to be emotionally satisfying. It’s not often I get emotional with books, but this one left a mark.
If you’re looking for action, then this isn’t for you. This book is best enjoyed sitting in the garden with a cup of tea and time to let it unfurl.
Writing
The author excels at writing emotional scenes and lyrical prose that are easy enough to understand without being overwhelming. The words simply reach out of the page to curl around your shoulders with a metaphorical hug. They feel so carefully crafted that each word deserves to be there.
Enjoyment
A Sorrow Named Joy is the perfect example of a standalone novella. Joy’s character arc feels authentic and complete, and the ending left me with a warm fuzzy feeling in my chest.
Cover Art and Formatting
The cover art is beautiful and really captures the character of Joy.
I’d originally read A Sorrow Named Joy over a year ago, and being the terrible person I am, I didn’t get around to reviewing it… until now! It’s actually rare for me to read a book twice, but this novella certainly warranted a second read-through and revealed aspects of itself and the main character that were easy to miss the first time around.
While this story starts off with a contemporary domestic setting that isn’t usually my thing, it’s worth sticking with for the reveal and aftermath as we learn about Joy and her dilemmas.
Characters
As you may gather from the clever title, this is the story of Joy, a housewife devoted to her husband Mike, who maintains her home with impeccable fastidiousness in order to make him happy. She’s satisfied with her place in life, that is until she discovers a mysterious photo of herself that she doesn’t remember… And it unravels her entire life with Mike. Joy is quite simply a joy to read. Her journey is one of hope and optimism.
Contrary to that is Mike, whose journey is one of pain and sorrow. While the story focuses on Joy and her development, I appreciate Mike’s character also and how the author wrote his own path.
Setting
The story mostly takes place in Joy and Mike’s home, along with their beautiful garden. Although this is a contemporary setting, there are signs that this could also be set in the near future. While the author writes through the delicate emotional journey that Joy goes through, it’s Joy’s place in the home and her relationship with it that also changes to reflect her journey.
Plot
This is the story of Joy as she realises she doesn’t belong in her current life and must find her place within it. There are hints of a mystery here, as we learn the truth about the mysterious photo, but this story is mostly about self-discovery. It’s full of quiet moments, though I wouldn’t call it slow paced. This story takes its time to process Joy’s emotions, and it lingers at just the right places to contemplate and savour them. To say more of the character reveals would be a spoiler, but I found the reveal and ending to be emotionally satisfying. It’s not often I get emotional with books, but this one left a mark.
If you’re looking for action, then this isn’t for you. This book is best enjoyed sitting in the garden with a cup of tea and time to let it unfurl.
Writing
The author excels at writing emotional scenes and lyrical prose that are easy enough to understand without being overwhelming. The words simply reach out of the page to curl around your shoulders with a metaphorical hug. They feel so carefully crafted that each word deserves to be there.
Enjoyment
A Sorrow Named Joy is the perfect example of a standalone novella. Joy’s character arc feels authentic and complete, and the ending left me with a warm fuzzy feeling in my chest.
Cover Art and Formatting
The cover art is beautiful and really captures the character of Joy.
January 11, 2022
I am so excited to get to talk about this one at last, as I have loved A Sorrow Named Joy since I got to read one of the earlier drafts and it’s a story that has lingered long after the reading, and seeing it blossom into the book it is now. Well, you’ve never seen me hit buy so quickly as I did this morning. Also, I absolutely adore the cover, and how that theme continues throughout the book with the chapter headers – and it really captures the role that nature and gardening, and art plays in this book.
Anyone who has followed me for a while will know that I absolutely love Chorn’s writing, and it is no different here. A Sorrow Named Joy is very different from the Songs of Sefate and Seraphina’s Lament both in setting and subject matter, and if you were to choose a genre it would fall closer to science fiction, however, the beautiful prose and deep emotional ties and impact that Chorn weaves into all her stories are there.
In fact, in this one it is almost stripped to the bone – this story is so focused and personal, and the emotions and the tale is so beautifully, impactfully human. It is so easy to slip into Joy’s shoes, to feel her emotions and understand the questions she finds herself asking – almost unnervingly so, but that is the strength and the power of this book. It connects. It makes you ask questions. It makes you think and feel. What is it to be human? To be alive? To be happy?
‘And Joy… broke. Came apart. Spilled everywhere. A mess of colors and a riot of sensation, the hint of a woman but none of the substance.’
While Joy undoubtedly steals the show, I also found Mike to be a fascinating character. His role in this story, his motives, is just as understandable as they are questionable, particularly his past choices. And I loved how their dynamic and relationship shifted and changed after the revelation, and how natural and believable it felt, with all the bumps and choices of real life.
The ending. The ending was perfect. I honestly don’t think any other ending would have suited this book. It was a beautiful coming together of all the wavering steps, choices and changes that the characters had undergone. There was such a simple, yet complex warmth to that last chapter that has me smiling every time I’ve read it.
This is the kind of book that you will find yourself thinking about in the quiet moments. A Sorrow Named Joy is a beautiful novella that refuses to fall into the strict lines of definitions and manages in equal measure to be harrowing and mediative. It’s a wonderful exploration not only of the idea of self and identity but also of change and loss, moving on and finding ways to just breathe amongst the chaos. At its heart though, this is a story of life after death, the sun after a storm.
A story of hope.
‘When she woke up this morning, she had two definitions for the word blue. Now, at sunset, she had thousands.’
I’m struggling to find the words to describe how much I love this book because, in all honesty, I am still noodling away at the story in the back of my mind. Each time I read it, I seem to find new moments, little descriptions that catch me more and more. I think this is a profound tale that will resonate with many people, in many different ways. It’s an amazing premise, that sings with emotion and it’s one of those books that has to be read to be experienced, so if you’re looking for something different, something that will leave an impression then A Sorrow Named Joy is a book you need to pick up.
Anyone who has followed me for a while will know that I absolutely love Chorn’s writing, and it is no different here. A Sorrow Named Joy is very different from the Songs of Sefate and Seraphina’s Lament both in setting and subject matter, and if you were to choose a genre it would fall closer to science fiction, however, the beautiful prose and deep emotional ties and impact that Chorn weaves into all her stories are there.
In fact, in this one it is almost stripped to the bone – this story is so focused and personal, and the emotions and the tale is so beautifully, impactfully human. It is so easy to slip into Joy’s shoes, to feel her emotions and understand the questions she finds herself asking – almost unnervingly so, but that is the strength and the power of this book. It connects. It makes you ask questions. It makes you think and feel. What is it to be human? To be alive? To be happy?
‘And Joy… broke. Came apart. Spilled everywhere. A mess of colors and a riot of sensation, the hint of a woman but none of the substance.’
While Joy undoubtedly steals the show, I also found Mike to be a fascinating character. His role in this story, his motives, is just as understandable as they are questionable, particularly his past choices. And I loved how their dynamic and relationship shifted and changed after the revelation, and how natural and believable it felt, with all the bumps and choices of real life.
The ending. The ending was perfect. I honestly don’t think any other ending would have suited this book. It was a beautiful coming together of all the wavering steps, choices and changes that the characters had undergone. There was such a simple, yet complex warmth to that last chapter that has me smiling every time I’ve read it.
This is the kind of book that you will find yourself thinking about in the quiet moments. A Sorrow Named Joy is a beautiful novella that refuses to fall into the strict lines of definitions and manages in equal measure to be harrowing and mediative. It’s a wonderful exploration not only of the idea of self and identity but also of change and loss, moving on and finding ways to just breathe amongst the chaos. At its heart though, this is a story of life after death, the sun after a storm.
A story of hope.
‘When she woke up this morning, she had two definitions for the word blue. Now, at sunset, she had thousands.’
I’m struggling to find the words to describe how much I love this book because, in all honesty, I am still noodling away at the story in the back of my mind. Each time I read it, I seem to find new moments, little descriptions that catch me more and more. I think this is a profound tale that will resonate with many people, in many different ways. It’s an amazing premise, that sings with emotion and it’s one of those books that has to be read to be experienced, so if you’re looking for something different, something that will leave an impression then A Sorrow Named Joy is a book you need to pick up.
March 24, 2024
A Sorrow Named Joy is a science fiction novella written by Sarah Chorn. A relatively short piece but as you can know at this point from any Chorn's fiction, a highly emotional and impactful book.
Joy's only desire in life is her husband's happiness; a perfect life dedicated to him, but a bit predictable, routine defining it. But one day, she finds a picture of past she cannot remember; and the reaction of her husband ends unleashing the secret behind Joy's own existence, which will need to readjust to the new reality.
A novella which puts the focus on emotions, with a concept that vaguely remembers to some of the Westworld's premises; however, I found the own Joy character to fall a bit plain in comparison with what I expected (especially closer to the end).
Said that, if you want a taste of what Chorn can do with so few pages, this novella is a good entry point to her writing; it's impactful and definitely, not the last piece I will read from Sarah Chorn.
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
Joy's only desire in life is her husband's happiness; a perfect life dedicated to him, but a bit predictable, routine defining it. But one day, she finds a picture of past she cannot remember; and the reaction of her husband ends unleashing the secret behind Joy's own existence, which will need to readjust to the new reality.
A novella which puts the focus on emotions, with a concept that vaguely remembers to some of the Westworld's premises; however, I found the own Joy character to fall a bit plain in comparison with what I expected (especially closer to the end).
Said that, if you want a taste of what Chorn can do with so few pages, this novella is a good entry point to her writing; it's impactful and definitely, not the last piece I will read from Sarah Chorn.
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
January 12, 2022
I didn't read the blurb for this book, and going in blind was the right move.
Honestly, if Sarah's name's on it, it's an instant download.
Sarah weaves an emotional tale from the first word. We follow Joy as she moves through the paces of her life, discovering more about herself with each passing hour. I didn't expect the bomb that dropped mid story at all, but loved where it led Joy and Mike. We are able to experience every ounce of emotion through her eyes as she embarks on what we all take for granted. Building a life that makes us truly happy. What does it mean to be human, to feel, to have the ability to choose our own path?
You'll love this story is you enjoy being hit in the feels, and reading books that make you reflect on your own life.
Honestly, if Sarah's name's on it, it's an instant download.
Sarah weaves an emotional tale from the first word. We follow Joy as she moves through the paces of her life, discovering more about herself with each passing hour. I didn't expect the bomb that dropped mid story at all, but loved where it led Joy and Mike. We are able to experience every ounce of emotion through her eyes as she embarks on what we all take for granted. Building a life that makes us truly happy. What does it mean to be human, to feel, to have the ability to choose our own path?
You'll love this story is you enjoy being hit in the feels, and reading books that make you reflect on your own life.
January 11, 2022
I'm the editor of this novella, which means I had the absolute pleasure of reading it early. Be jealous.
Not only is the writing gorgeous as always, but it's an amazing premise told very well, and somehow resonated with me quite profoundly, despite it being something I could never experience.
Not only is the writing gorgeous as always, but it's an amazing premise told very well, and somehow resonated with me quite profoundly, despite it being something I could never experience.
October 19, 2022
This novella was absolutely brilliant and heartwarming and sad and I am not okay. I am feeling echoes of what I felt when I read Never Let Me Go. Truly wonderful. If you enjoy lots of emotions in your stories, do yourself a favor and read this.
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November 12, 2025“A winter wind was blowing through the canyon of her soul.”
What can I say? Sarah Chorn has a beautiful writing style. She always has numerous picturesque phrases, that you feel in your bones.
This story first reads like fiction and the wife, Joy, reads as the perfect spouse. Then the science fiction kicks in, and my jealous feelings for the character’s perfection are addressed and explained.
It was quite the personal journey and exploration of Self. The ending completely surprised me. It was a bittersweet moment.
You cannot help but feel things when reading SC’s books. So be ready to be amazed.
What can I say? Sarah Chorn has a beautiful writing style. She always has numerous picturesque phrases, that you feel in your bones.
This story first reads like fiction and the wife, Joy, reads as the perfect spouse. Then the science fiction kicks in, and my jealous feelings for the character’s perfection are addressed and explained.
It was quite the personal journey and exploration of Self. The ending completely surprised me. It was a bittersweet moment.
You cannot help but feel things when reading SC’s books. So be ready to be amazed.
November 3, 2023
Absolutely, catastrophically beautiful. The fact that 70 pages impacted me this deeply should be illegal. Not only a reflection on the importance of finding yourself and gaining individuality but also the importance of not enabling your partner to lose themselves. So much love is displayed in this novella and its obvious how much love was put into it. If you have an hour to read this book and another hour to recover from the emotions it will evoke from you, give this one a read!
January 25, 2024
Such a short novella, and so impactful. If you are here hoping to read a romance or get swept off your feet with lovely statements--this is not it. This is more akin to a coming-of-age with heavy thematic work about identity, defining oneself, and redefining one's life. Because of that, this is NOT romance.
This short novella (novelette?) is narrated in third person from Joy's point of view, and Chorn's prose just flows. It is seamless, it is fluid, and it paint Joy's world in the colours of her interests, of her anxiety and desperation, and of her rebirth as she discovers herself. The prose is not overly flourished nor purple, but just a perfect measure of biased by Joy's perception and elevated at the same time, while being readable and approachable.
The narrator is very biased, and you will see the world and read some descriptions that are a truthful reflection of how Joy sees the world--and the descriptors change as Joy changes through this book. A spoilery clarification here.
Because of this journey of self-discovery, there is a child-like quality in how Joy begins to see the world. It is not childish but the wonderment of seeing everything for the first time, of finding answers to questions you never know existed. Chorn, the author, does an astounding job of conveying this as the plot unfolds and we find out the truth about Joy.
There are some "clues" sowed at the start of Joy's first day that, an avid reader, may perceive as indicative of the main revelation. I noticed them, but having that "mystery" solved before the reveal (about halfway on) only increased my excitement for the novella, because what matters (in my subjective opinion) is what happens afterwards and the ending's resolution.
This is definitely a heavily thematic, speculative novella meant to read and think on big questions, such as what is being alive, what is identity, and how to define oneself by oneself and not others.
This short novella (novelette?) is narrated in third person from Joy's point of view, and Chorn's prose just flows. It is seamless, it is fluid, and it paint Joy's world in the colours of her interests, of her anxiety and desperation, and of her rebirth as she discovers herself. The prose is not overly flourished nor purple, but just a perfect measure of biased by Joy's perception and elevated at the same time, while being readable and approachable.
The narrator is very biased, and you will see the world and read some descriptions that are a truthful reflection of how Joy sees the world--and the descriptors change as Joy changes through this book. A spoilery clarification here.
Because of this journey of self-discovery, there is a child-like quality in how Joy begins to see the world. It is not childish but the wonderment of seeing everything for the first time, of finding answers to questions you never know existed. Chorn, the author, does an astounding job of conveying this as the plot unfolds and we find out the truth about Joy.
There are some "clues" sowed at the start of Joy's first day that, an avid reader, may perceive as indicative of the main revelation. I noticed them, but having that "mystery" solved before the reveal (about halfway on) only increased my excitement for the novella, because what matters (in my subjective opinion) is what happens afterwards and the ending's resolution.
This is definitely a heavily thematic, speculative novella meant to read and think on big questions, such as what is being alive, what is identity, and how to define oneself by oneself and not others.
April 2, 2024
I picked up 'A Sorrow Named Joy' because it has a gorgeous cover, an intriguing title and was only seventy-nine pages long. I'm recommending it to people because it was the kind of story that lingers in the imagination. It was original and surprising and yet also felt truthful.
It's the kind of story that I'd normally label as Speculative Fiction but, although it does speculate on things that might emerge in the future, those speculations are there to provide a framework for thinking about what it means to be alive and what we should do with the lives we have.
At the start of the story, when Joy was entirely focused on her husband's happiness, I thought I might be heading into 'Stepford Wives' territory and wondered if there'd be enough that was new about that set of ideas to keep my attention. It turned out that 'A Sorrow Named Joy' twisted that trope so hard that it became something new and different. Where 'The Stepford Wives' is an incarnation of misogyny and is filled with aggression and threat, 'A Sorrow Named Joy' is an exploration of what happiness is, how it is achieved and the complex emotions that it evokes.
I loved being inside Joy's head as she started to build her identity, expand her understanding of the world and began to make her own choices. What pulled me in was that her initial worldview wasn't some drab colourless thing. Joy's ability to lose herself in the possibilities offered by the food on the supermarket shelves or to impose order in her house or nurture her garden into a shape that matches her will, resonated with me. Then, as her perception started to shift, I was carried along by her emotional reaction to what she discovered.
Joy's husband was a surprise. His reactions to the changes in Joy, anger, fear, sadness, guilt, felt real to me and opened up possibilities that the simple Predator / Victim dynamic of 'The Stepford Wives' didn't allow for.
By the end of the story, I felt I'd met two people who had supported each other through some difficult times and managed to find a path that fieed both of them to be as happy as the circumstances would allow. I loved that they began to find their way by admitting that they were unhappy.
Sarah Chorn packed a lot into those seventy-nine pages, ideas, emotions, paths to hope and all of it worked for me. I've added her novel 'Of Honey And Wildfires' to my TBR pile.
It's the kind of story that I'd normally label as Speculative Fiction but, although it does speculate on things that might emerge in the future, those speculations are there to provide a framework for thinking about what it means to be alive and what we should do with the lives we have.
At the start of the story, when Joy was entirely focused on her husband's happiness, I thought I might be heading into 'Stepford Wives' territory and wondered if there'd be enough that was new about that set of ideas to keep my attention. It turned out that 'A Sorrow Named Joy' twisted that trope so hard that it became something new and different. Where 'The Stepford Wives' is an incarnation of misogyny and is filled with aggression and threat, 'A Sorrow Named Joy' is an exploration of what happiness is, how it is achieved and the complex emotions that it evokes.
I loved being inside Joy's head as she started to build her identity, expand her understanding of the world and began to make her own choices. What pulled me in was that her initial worldview wasn't some drab colourless thing. Joy's ability to lose herself in the possibilities offered by the food on the supermarket shelves or to impose order in her house or nurture her garden into a shape that matches her will, resonated with me. Then, as her perception started to shift, I was carried along by her emotional reaction to what she discovered.
Joy's husband was a surprise. His reactions to the changes in Joy, anger, fear, sadness, guilt, felt real to me and opened up possibilities that the simple Predator / Victim dynamic of 'The Stepford Wives' didn't allow for.
By the end of the story, I felt I'd met two people who had supported each other through some difficult times and managed to find a path that fieed both of them to be as happy as the circumstances would allow. I loved that they began to find their way by admitting that they were unhappy.
Sarah Chorn packed a lot into those seventy-nine pages, ideas, emotions, paths to hope and all of it worked for me. I've added her novel 'Of Honey And Wildfires' to my TBR pile.
February 6, 2022
One of the things that I love about Ms. Chorn’s writing is that words…senses…emotions…they don’t behave. If someone is feeling purple, then damnit, they feel purple. Days can be a half-note flat…I never feel like i just read her books, I feel like I’m emotionally involved in them.
There is such tenderness here. Such empathy…its a visceral thing that just flows off of the page.
It feels like much care went into this book, and I’m so glad. Loved every word.
There is such tenderness here. Such empathy…its a visceral thing that just flows off of the page.
It feels like much care went into this book, and I’m so glad. Loved every word.
March 4, 2022
What an utterly exquisite, beautiful read! A Sorrow Named Joy is a gorgeous tale that comes in at about 70 pages. The writing is lush and Joy's foray through sorrow is done with a light touch. I read this in one sitting and it was the best part of my day. You must read this delicate story.
September 26, 2024
A wonderful, well-written story about the meaning of life, humanity, and love.
I loved everything about it and highly recommend it to anyone who likes to read a story that will make them think.
I loved everything about it and highly recommend it to anyone who likes to read a story that will make them think.
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March 3, 2023Sarah Chorn is a popular author amongst my avid indie reading friends and I was excited to get a few of her books during a promotional event. A Sorrow Named Joy is a short and impactful novella about a husband and wife. Joy is a homemaker. Her day revolves around her husband, Mike. She does what she thinks he would like. He is truly the centre of her world. She enjoys cooking, grocery shopping and growing fresh fruits and vegetables. Her days have routine and she likes it this way.
While cleaning the house one day she comes across a picture of herself and Mike on a beach. It was hidden away in his drawer and thinking that he would like to be reminded of that memory (even though she herself does not remember this), she puts the photo on the mantle area. When Mike sees the photo he has an unexpected reason and Joy feels something change. With his needs no longer clear, she doesn’t know what to do.
Mike reveals to her what happened in the past and what she does not remember. This is about halfway through the book. The rest of A Sorrow Named Joy is Joy figuring out what she likes and loves, beyond what Mike would like. She starts to explore art and painting with Mike’s support. In just a few chapters, the book tackles big themes like finding happiness, being alive, loving oneself, figuring out who we are rather than being someone in a relationship with another person.
As Joy discovers herself, she and Mike drift apart. They both take it in stride, hard as it is. Mike has been experiencing grief and bereavement for a long time but hasn’t had the courage to confront it yet. Joy’s questions make him ponder his own actions and he finds the courage to grow.
This was a beautiful tale and I look forward to reading more of Sarah Chorn.
Armed with A Book | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
While cleaning the house one day she comes across a picture of herself and Mike on a beach. It was hidden away in his drawer and thinking that he would like to be reminded of that memory (even though she herself does not remember this), she puts the photo on the mantle area. When Mike sees the photo he has an unexpected reason and Joy feels something change. With his needs no longer clear, she doesn’t know what to do.
Mike reveals to her what happened in the past and what she does not remember. This is about halfway through the book. The rest of A Sorrow Named Joy is Joy figuring out what she likes and loves, beyond what Mike would like. She starts to explore art and painting with Mike’s support. In just a few chapters, the book tackles big themes like finding happiness, being alive, loving oneself, figuring out who we are rather than being someone in a relationship with another person.
As Joy discovers herself, she and Mike drift apart. They both take it in stride, hard as it is. Mike has been experiencing grief and bereavement for a long time but hasn’t had the courage to confront it yet. Joy’s questions make him ponder his own actions and he finds the courage to grow.
This was a beautiful tale and I look forward to reading more of Sarah Chorn.
Armed with A Book | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
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March 16, 2024A Sorrow Named Joy is a slow story, but not slow in a boring and tedious way. Rather, it’s relaxed and pleasant and takes its time to do both very little and very much. It’s a small and simple story, but it’s built from large and difficult ideas. Like a lazy afternoon breeze and discovering an interesting new scent on the wind.
Joy’s life is perfect. She lives in a perfect little house, and she loves her husband dearly. She cooks his meals to perfection, and she keeps her garden in perfect order. Everything’s perfect, and she’s happy.
She really is. It’s not just something she’s telling herself or a facade she’s built to hide some dark secret from the world. Joy’s life is great.
Until it isn’t.
One morning, Joy discovers a past she has no memory of, and her story is about what happens after that.
It took me some time to get into the story, but I believe that’s due to me not being in the right mood for it when I started. I put the book away and left it a few days, and when I picked it up again, I had a much easier time getting into it.
The writing itself is impeccable, but the voice and the pacing is such that it didn’t grab me right away. Rather, it slowly gripped me in a way I barely noticed until I found myself fascinated with Joy and her situation.
I received a free copy of this book as part of the SFINCS novella competition. The views of this review are my own and do not represent my team’s final score.
Joy’s life is perfect. She lives in a perfect little house, and she loves her husband dearly. She cooks his meals to perfection, and she keeps her garden in perfect order. Everything’s perfect, and she’s happy.
She really is. It’s not just something she’s telling herself or a facade she’s built to hide some dark secret from the world. Joy’s life is great.
Until it isn’t.
One morning, Joy discovers a past she has no memory of, and her story is about what happens after that.
It took me some time to get into the story, but I believe that’s due to me not being in the right mood for it when I started. I put the book away and left it a few days, and when I picked it up again, I had a much easier time getting into it.
The writing itself is impeccable, but the voice and the pacing is such that it didn’t grab me right away. Rather, it slowly gripped me in a way I barely noticed until I found myself fascinated with Joy and her situation.
I received a free copy of this book as part of the SFINCS novella competition. The views of this review are my own and do not represent my team’s final score.
December 24, 2022
This isn't something I'd normally read but I'm so glad I did! Joy's story is so well written, I guessed at the pmit ending but not the context which made this a really enjoyable short read.
August 3, 2023
What a gorgeous, quiet, yet engrossing book. I love Sarah's work & this is no exception
October 30, 2023
This might be my favorite novella I've ever read. There's not much to complain about here, if anything. Very moving, very wise, very human. Definitely give it a read!
November 12, 2023
A heart warming novella with some of the most beautiful prose I have read in SFF. Its breadcrumb trails to the mid-act reveal are masterful. Its look at loss and new life, one that is not afraid to look into an abyss.
Perhaps most poignant of all is Joy learning to paint through watching Bob Ross videos. Her understanding that there are no mistakes in life, jus happy little accidents. And much like a Bob Ross painting tutorial, A Sorrow Named Joy is a calming breath amidst a cloud of uncertainty.
A Sorrow Names Joy is simply a sweet, sharp and a reassuring embrace in the form of a bite size novella.
Perhaps most poignant of all is Joy learning to paint through watching Bob Ross videos. Her understanding that there are no mistakes in life, jus happy little accidents. And much like a Bob Ross painting tutorial, A Sorrow Named Joy is a calming breath amidst a cloud of uncertainty.
A Sorrow Names Joy is simply a sweet, sharp and a reassuring embrace in the form of a bite size novella.
December 14, 2023
This book was not my normal type of read at all, but the author quickly became one of my "must-buy" authors after reading The Necessity of Rain earlier this year. Needless to say, just like NoR, this story also blew me away. The sci-fi twist was unexpected but absolutely perfect. The characters, setting, and story kept me engaged from beginning to end, and wow, what an ending: deeply satisfying. This is another I highly recommend.
February 10, 2022
Simply stunning.
This is a beautifully crafted novella, with a SciFi aspect that took me unawares. I love it. Thought provoking on many levels, this story is a deep dive into self awareness. The prose is amazing and the story is layered and nuanced. Sarah Chorn is master wordsmith and her creative nature shows on every page.
This is a beautifully crafted novella, with a SciFi aspect that took me unawares. I love it. Thought provoking on many levels, this story is a deep dive into self awareness. The prose is amazing and the story is layered and nuanced. Sarah Chorn is master wordsmith and her creative nature shows on every page.
March 31, 2024
Absolutely incredible
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