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A review by lucylou
The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
An interesting story, but doesn't live up to the hype. The first chapter starts off very slow, but it ends with a bang: where did the 3 light keepers go? The first 2/3s of the book, I did my best detective impersonation, trying to put possible pieces together through linking bits of the alternating stories of the past (the light keepers, 3 men) and present (the women they left behind) together, which was fun to do.
As an American, some of the chapters were hards to read, as trying to decipher some of the thick English accents were harder than I anticipated, but those parts don't last long. The style does take some time getting used to, as most of the the "present" portions read like interviews, with little emotion. It made it harder to understand and care for the women. There were moments I felt sad for them, and the things they went through, but I never connected with them. Not that I connected to the men that much more, but at least I understood their motivations, their hates/morals/desires, more. The women seemed flatter in comparison; boiled down, they were just one-dimensional, grief and guilt stricken partners. We get a glimpse into what their worlds are like after 20 years without their partners, but the author barely scratches the surface of "oh, I wish my husband/boyfriend was still alive."
As an American, some of the chapters were hards to read, as trying to decipher some of the thick English accents were harder than I anticipated, but those parts don't last long. The style does take some time getting used to, as most of the the "present" portions read like interviews, with little emotion. It made it harder to understand and care for the women. There were moments I felt sad for them, and the things they went through, but I never connected with them. Not that I connected to the men that much more, but at least I understood their motivations, their hates/morals/desires, more. The women seemed flatter in comparison; boiled down, they were just one-dimensional, grief and guilt stricken partners. We get a glimpse into what their worlds are like after 20 years without their partners, but the author barely scratches the surface of "oh, I wish my husband/boyfriend was still alive."
Overall, it was a fine book to read over the course of 2 days. The reveal of what happened was a quick 3 page explanation, which was... fine. I think the author was trying to be subversive, by going with an explanation that no one in the book had guessed. I'm glad
I think the author ended the book in the best way she could, but it still left me unsatisfied.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Rape, and Drug abuse