Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I was hoping for more. I liked the write up more than the book. I never figured out the aunts character. I wasn't sure if she was mentally ill throughout the whole book. I guess I would say the whole story was just a little bit off.
The author did a great job creating the ambience of pine-scented forests and mysterious family secrets. Not so great on character development or a believable plot. And just how old was Samuel when he died, anyway?
A great read. Haunting, but not a cheap thriller. The ending wasn't so much a twist, but I definitely didn't see it coming. I'll definitely continue to read anything new from Stein.
It is always hard for me when I really loved the first book (The Art of Racing in the Rain). So Sudden Light - I liked but could not get as passionate about the characters and the story, despite the twists and the sarcastic comments which I did like. Worth reading, yes, remember forever, no.
I especially enjoyed the backdrop of this story, deep in the history of the Northwest timber industry. Because Stein presented the story as a tale, I could let go of my usual preference for realistic fiction. Stein aptly interwove some compelling what-ifs about human behavior and connectedness.
I loved The Art of Racing in the Rain, so it seemed like an easy pick to read Garth Stein's "A Sudden Light." The storyline was quite another direction it seemed, and I wasn't 100% certain I knew what to expect. A family history story about the timber industry in Seattle didn't sound like much. However, I was pulled in and found myself intrigued.
An intriguing family drama
The enthralling story of the history of a family with all the foibles and failures, while trying to make rights the actions off the past.
The enthralling story of the history of a family with all the foibles and failures, while trying to make rights the actions off the past.
What a boring book. I thought I would never finish it -- or why I was continuing to read it. Other books by Garth Stein have been engaging but "Sudden Light" was not. I did not get the storyline, there were many repeats in the book, and the ending (not to it give away) was unfathomable to me.
I wanted this to be my most favorite book ever but it fell short. The magic was too unbelievable and the protagonist too quick to believe in it. The first half was like YESSSS. The 2nd half was disappointing (not because of the story as much as the writing, excitement, etc. fading off). I wanted more depth in the second half and a more wrapped-up ending. And the dialogue was laughably formal and mature for a 14-year old. Sigh.