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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I'm probably going to become the most hated reviewer of all time, but I have to announce that I did not like this book. Not just a "eh, this isn't for me," but a "are you serious right now?! I can't believe I have to finish this thing." When I first heard about this book I thought I was going to fall in love with it. Gothic setting? Yes! Coming of age? I'm there! Ghosts? Yup! Family saga? You can't stop me from reading this! When I finally got it into my hands, I was thrilled. The first chapter sucked me in and I was quickly moving the book up my "best of 2014" list. Then chapter two hit and I thought "just a little slump before the real action takes off." Then chapter three left me thinking "okay, just give it some time." Once I slugged my way to page 225, I knew that this book was not for me.
The story follows Trevor Riddell as he joins his father in traveling from their home in Connecticut to their family's estate in the Pacific Northwest. Trevor's father has not set foot on the land since his mother died, but his separation from his wife is pushing him to return to his roots. All Trevor wants is for his parents to get back together, but that is much easier said than done. They're not at Riddell House long before strange things start happening: Trevor starts hearing noises, thinks that he's seeing someone dancing, and losing track of some of his personal items. But this oddness pales in comparison to the people he is sharing the house with: his grandfather and aunt. The grandfather is slowly losing his hold on the world around him and Trevor's aunt is taking full advantage of the situation. But these characters are not the only ones with dubious motives. Trevor stumbles upon a diary that might hold the key to the ghosts he is living with, both alive and dead.
My first complaint is that the story is cliched; it has been done before and done better. Stein's typical style does not shine through this piece. Instead, the writing feels labored and facile. There is no depth to the characters and the "mysteries" are basically solved as soon as they are introduced (i.e. Riddell House is full of riddles!). I was hoping that this was all setup for a great finish, but even that fell flat. It seemed as if Stein painted himself into a corner by the last 100 pages and just threw up his hands. In other words, he ending is one that we've seen many times before and done much better. While I always enjoy a good book with unlikeable characters, these ones didn't even interest me. The plot seemed contrived and the overall story came off as feeling like a bloated short story that was forced into a novel.
The story follows Trevor Riddell as he joins his father in traveling from their home in Connecticut to their family's estate in the Pacific Northwest. Trevor's father has not set foot on the land since his mother died, but his separation from his wife is pushing him to return to his roots. All Trevor wants is for his parents to get back together, but that is much easier said than done. They're not at Riddell House long before strange things start happening: Trevor starts hearing noises, thinks that he's seeing someone dancing, and losing track of some of his personal items. But this oddness pales in comparison to the people he is sharing the house with: his grandfather and aunt. The grandfather is slowly losing his hold on the world around him and Trevor's aunt is taking full advantage of the situation. But these characters are not the only ones with dubious motives. Trevor stumbles upon a diary that might hold the key to the ghosts he is living with, both alive and dead.
My first complaint is that the story is cliched; it has been done before and done better. Stein's typical style does not shine through this piece. Instead, the writing feels labored and facile. There is no depth to the characters and the "mysteries" are basically solved as soon as they are introduced (i.e. Riddell House is full of riddles!). I was hoping that this was all setup for a great finish, but even that fell flat. It seemed as if Stein painted himself into a corner by the last 100 pages and just threw up his hands. In other words, he ending is one that we've seen many times before and done much better. While I always enjoy a good book with unlikeable characters, these ones didn't even interest me. The plot seemed contrived and the overall story came off as feeling like a bloated short story that was forced into a novel.
Really enjoyed the locale by it takes place in Seattle, so some historical parts. I also really liked the supernatural pieces and the exploration of the old house. Good and just a bit creepy.
Trevor Riddell’s bankrupt, recently separated father, Jones, brings him to his grandfather’s mansion (Riddell House) in order to move the old man to a nursing home. He is also there to sell the property for much-needed cash.
What he doesn’t count on is a ghost in the house, and secrets in his family’s history that may prevent his father and his Aunt Serena from carrying out this plan.
He really needs this plan to work, because secretly he wants his father to have money in the bank and his mother to reconcile with him.
The story is told from the perspective as Trevor as an adult, during this fateful summer.
As readers we are witness to his grandfather (who may have dementia) and his Aunt (who may be mentally ill or evil or both), and his father (who appears to be a lost soul trying to find his way back to his wife and son).
I really wanted this to work out for Trevor.
And then…
The ugly secrets.
And a ghost.
And then…
The Aunts’ erratic and sinister behavior. A bit creepy and to stock to be believable.
Of course…
It doesn’t help that I don’t like ghosts or horror stories.
I think they are a silly plot device. I kept saying to myself, “self, maybe this is Trevor’s imagination.”
I won’t say…but the ghosts do turn out to be other than they originally seem.
Still…
Once the ghosts showed up, I began to feel that the story seemed a bit contrived. Less believable.
And so, what can I say, other than…
The ghost knows how it ends.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In college Dr. Kelly would always say that a good writer shows more than he tells. Garth Stein's novel, A Sudden Light, is an excellent example on how to do it right!
Artfully combining the past & present Seattle with the living and dead Riddell family, Stein's story is part ghost story and part love story.
Back before technology changes the world Trevor Riddell must unravel family secrets that have torn apart generations of his family. Along the way he reconnects with his father, fulfills a promise between lovers and learns the importance of faith.
This a wonderful follow up to The Art of Racing in the Rain. Full of emotions the story keeps you hooked to the very last page.
Artfully combining the past & present Seattle with the living and dead Riddell family, Stein's story is part ghost story and part love story.
Back before technology changes the world Trevor Riddell must unravel family secrets that have torn apart generations of his family. Along the way he reconnects with his father, fulfills a promise between lovers and learns the importance of faith.
This a wonderful follow up to The Art of Racing in the Rain. Full of emotions the story keeps you hooked to the very last page.
I just adored this story. The character development was rich, the family story fascinating, the house was filled with secrets. This book had all the elements of a wonderfully well laid out and told story. And, it took place in Puget Sound in Washington state a place whose beauty is endless. I loved Serena's quote: "There's so much we don't know, how can we pretend to know anything at all?" And the continuous quote from [b:The Mountains of California|91980|The Mountains of California|John Muir|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328774754s/91980.jpg|3026154] by [a:John Muir|5297|John Muir|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1398092241p2/5297.jpg] "My peace I give unto you". [a:Garth Stein|194531|Garth Stein|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1229127424p2/194531.jpg] did an incredible job at pulling together a story that embraces the truth about the lumber industry in the early 1900s and puts into this well written spellbinding story.
This was another great read by Garth Stein. It made me think that a lot of times families don't share their stories with their kids.