Light of DayJamie M. Saul
What is more important: honesty or loyalty? Are you one who thinks, “well that depends on the situation,” or do you believe that one of these traits always transcends the other?
This question underscores Jamie Saul’s Light of Day, what Booklist calls “a probing exploration into the psychology of grief” and “a gorgeous literary thriller of the highest caliber.” The novel begins with a short description of a small Indiana town; only at the end of this description do we learn its purpose: to describe the place where Danny Owens’ body has been found.
Danny Owens is the fifteen-year-old son of professor Jack Owens, who (not surprisingly) does not take the news of his son’s suicide well. Danny’s death occurs right before the summer, the last summer Jack was to spend with his son, who planned to get a job the following summer after turning sixteen. Like any grieving parent, Jack seeks to understand his son’s death, coming close to madness in the process.
Jack spends his summer entombed in his home, sorting through old photos and objects, trying to remember the myriad experiences which might have contributed to Danny’s suicide. Was it his own fault for not spending enough time with him during the end-of-the-year crunch every teacher faces in May? Was it his own fault for being a single father? Was it Anne’s fault for abandoning her son ten years before to be an artist? And how on earth will Jack ever endure this crushing loss?
Saul recounts Jack’s mental state with the clarity that only one in that situation could understand. At times such close scrutiny becomes a bit stifling, and some passages could have been condensed or omitted altogether. The end of the novel is so gripping that one could do without some of the (at times repetitious) examination found before it.
As Jack comes closer to the truth behind Danny’s death, the question regarding honesty or loyalty is repeated in Jack’s mind. By the end of the book, it becomes clear that both Danny and Saul would choose honesty. Ironically, such an answer vindicates Anna in her decision to abandon her family, choosing to remain true to herself over loyalty to her family. Of course, what then of Jack’s decision at the end of the novel?
There are no easy answers here.
In a nutshell: Thought-provoking but could have been condensed a bit in places, Light of Day is an excellent debut from a promising author.
Bibliolatry Scale: 4.5 out of 6 stars
This question underscores Jamie Saul’s Light of Day, what Booklist calls “a probing exploration into the psychology of grief” and “a gorgeous literary thriller of the highest caliber.” The novel begins with a short description of a small Indiana town; only at the end of this description do we learn its purpose: to describe the place where Danny Owens’ body has been found.
Danny Owens is the fifteen-year-old son of professor Jack Owens, who (not surprisingly) does not take the news of his son’s suicide well. Danny’s death occurs right before the summer, the last summer Jack was to spend with his son, who planned to get a job the following summer after turning sixteen. Like any grieving parent, Jack seeks to understand his son’s death, coming close to madness in the process.
Jack spends his summer entombed in his home, sorting through old photos and objects, trying to remember the myriad experiences which might have contributed to Danny’s suicide. Was it his own fault for not spending enough time with him during the end-of-the-year crunch every teacher faces in May? Was it his own fault for being a single father? Was it Anne’s fault for abandoning her son ten years before to be an artist? And how on earth will Jack ever endure this crushing loss?
Saul recounts Jack’s mental state with the clarity that only one in that situation could understand. At times such close scrutiny becomes a bit stifling, and some passages could have been condensed or omitted altogether. The end of the novel is so gripping that one could do without some of the (at times repetitious) examination found before it.As Jack comes closer to the truth behind Danny’s death, the question regarding honesty or loyalty is repeated in Jack’s mind. By the end of the book, it becomes clear that both Danny and Saul would choose honesty. Ironically, such an answer vindicates Anna in her decision to abandon her family, choosing to remain true to herself over loyalty to her family. Of course, what then of Jack’s decision at the end of the novel?
There are no easy answers here.
In a nutshell: Thought-provoking but could have been condensed a bit in places, Light of Day is an excellent debut from a promising author.
Bibliolatry Scale: 4.5 out of 6 stars
2 comments:
"Loyalte me Lie". Loyalty binds me, the motto of Richard III. As humans, we tend to all fib, to tell that wee white lie. Despite this fault in our nature...if we can remain loyal in the face of adversity...like forgiveness, it makes us divine.
I have to go with loyalty on this one. If you want honesty, ask someone who doesn't know you. They have no reason to spare your feelings.
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