A sudden light
Type
Book
Authors
ISBN 13
9781439187036
Category
813 Fiction
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Publication Year
2014
Publisher
Pages
396
Subject
Family secrets -- Fiction. Riddel, Trevor (Fictitious character) FICTION -- Literary.
Tags
Abstract
"In the summer of 1990, 14-year-old Trevor Riddell gets his first glimpse of Riddell House. Built from the spoils of a massive timber fortune, the legendary family mansion is constructed of giant, whole trees, and is set on a huge estate overlooking Puget Sound. Trevor's bankrupt parents have begun a trial separation, and his father, Jones Riddell, has brought Trevor to Riddell House for the summer with a goal: he will join forces with his sister, Serena, to dispatch Grandpa Samuel--who is flickering in and out of dementia--to a graduated living facility, sell off the house and property for development into "tract housing for millionaires," divide up the profits, and live happily ever after. But Trevor soon discovers there's someone else living in Riddell House: a ghost with an agenda of his own. For while the land holds tremendous value, it is also burdened by the final wishes of the family patriarch, Elijah, that it be allowed to return to untamed forestland as a penance for the millions of trees harvested over the decades by Riddell Timber. As he uncovers secrets of his family's past that are hidden deep within the house, guided by the whisperings of the ghost, Trevor discovers a legacy of family trauma and terrible guilt. The ghost will not rest until Elijah's wish is fulfilled, and Trevor's willingness to face the past holds the key to his family's future"-- Provided by publisher.
Description
"When a boy tries to save his parents' marriage, he uncovers a legacy of family secrets in a coming-of-age ghost story by the author of the internationally bestselling phenomenon, The Art of Racing in the Rain. In the summer of 1990, fourteen-year-old Trevor Riddell gets his first glimpse of Riddell House. Built from the spoils of a massive timber fortune, the legendary family mansion is constructed of giant, whole trees, and is set on a huge estate overlooking Puget Sound. Trevor's bankrupt parents have begun a trial separation, and his father, Jones Riddell, has brought Trevor to Riddell House with a goal: to join forces with his sister, Serena, dispatch Grandpa Samuel--who is flickering in and out of dementia--to a graduated living facility, sell off the house and property for development into "tract housing for millionaires," divide up the profits, and live happily ever after. But Trevor soon discovers there's someone else living in Riddell House: a ghost with an agenda of his own. For while the land holds tremendous value, it is also burdened by the final wishes of the family patriarch, Elijah, who mandated it be allowed to return to untamed forestland as a penance for the millions of trees harvested over the decades by the Riddell Timber company. The ghost will not rest until Elijah's wish is fulfilled, and Trevor's willingness to face the past holds the key to his family's future. A Sudden Light is a rich, atmospheric work that is at once a multigenerational family saga, a historical novel, a ghost story, and the story of a contemporary family's struggle to connect with each other. A tribute to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, it reflects Garth Stein's outsized capacity for empathy and keen understanding of human motivation, and his rare ability to see the unseen: the universal threads that connect us all"-- Provided by publisher.
Publisher Comments
When a boy tries to save his parents' marriage, he uncovers a legacy of family secrets in a coming-of-age ghost story by the author of the internationally bestselling phenomenon, The Art of Racing in the Rain.
In the summer of 1990, fourteen-year-old Trevor Riddell gets his first glimpse of Riddell House. Built from the spoils of a massive timber fortune, the legendary family mansion is constructed of giant, whole trees, and is set on a huge estate overlooking Puget Sound. Trevor's bankrupt parents have begun a trial separation, and his father, Jones Riddell, has brought Trevor to Riddell House with a goal: to join forces with his sister, Serena, dispatch Grandpa Samuel -- who is flickering in and out of dementia -- to a graduated living facility, sell off the house and property for development into tract housing for millionaires, divide up the profits, and live happily ever after.
But Trevor soon discovers there's someone else living in Riddell House: a ghost with an agenda of his own. For while the land holds tremendous value, it is also burdened by the final wishes of the family patriarch, Elijah, who mandated it be allowed to return to untamed forestland as a penance for the millions of trees harvested over the decades by the Riddell Timber Company. The ghost will not rest until Elijah's wish is fulfilled, and Trevor's willingness to face the past holds the key to his family's future.
A Sudden Light is a rich, atmospheric work that is at once a multigenerational family saga, a historical novel, a ghost story, and the story of a contemporary family's struggle to connect with each other. A tribute to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, it reflects Garth Stein's outsized capacity for empathy and keen understanding of human motivation, and his rare ability to see the unseen: the universal threads that connect us all.
Review
"Witty, atmospheric and filled with acutely observed characters, Stein's ghost story possesses uncommon depth." People
Review
"Rich and textured...Stein is resourceful, cleverly piecing together the family history with dreams, overheard conversations, and reminiscences...a tale well told." Seattle Times
Review
"Haunting in all the right ways." Booklist, (Starred Review)
Synopsis
The bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain presents a long-awaited new novel in which a boy trying to save his parents' marriage uncovers a vast legacy of family secrets.
In the summer of 1990, fourteen-year-old Trevor Riddell gets his first glimpse of Riddell House. Built from the spoils of a massive timber fortune, the legendary family mansion is constructed of giant whole trees and is set on a huge estate overlooking Seattle's Puget Sound. Trevor's bankrupt parents have begun a trial separation, and his father, Jones Riddell, has brought Trevor to Riddell House with a goal: to join forces with his sister, Serena, dispatch the ailing and elderly Grandpa Samuel to a nursing home, sell off the house and property for development, divide up the profits, and live happily ever after.
But as Trevor explores the house's secret stairways and hidden rooms, he discovers a spirit lingering in Riddell House whose agenda is at odds with the family plan. Only Trevor's willingness to face the dark past of his forefathers will reveal the key to his family's future.
Spellbinding and atmospheric, A Sudden Light is rich with unconventional characters, scenes of transcendent natural beauty, and unforgettable moments of emotional truth that reflect Garth Stein's outsized capacity for empathy and keen understanding of human motivation--a triumphant work of a master storyteller at the height of his power.
About the Author
Garth Stein is the author of the a New York Times bestselling novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain, published in thirty-five languages, and two previous novels, How Evan Broke, His Head and Other Secrets and Raven Stole the Moon. He is the co-founder of Seattle7Writers, a non-profit collective of Northwest authors working to foster a passion for the written word. He lives in Seattle with his family. Visit him online at GarthStein.com.
Publisher Comments
When a boy tries to save his parents' marriage, he uncovers a legacy of family secrets in a coming-of-age ghost story by the author of the internationally bestselling phenomenon, The Art of Racing in the Rain.
In the summer of 1990, fourteen-year-old Trevor Riddell gets his first glimpse of Riddell House. Built from the spoils of a massive timber fortune, the legendary family mansion is constructed of giant, whole trees, and is set on a huge estate overlooking Puget Sound. Trevor's bankrupt parents have begun a trial separation, and his father, Jones Riddell, has brought Trevor to Riddell House with a goal: to join forces with his sister, Serena, dispatch Grandpa Samuel -- who is flickering in and out of dementia -- to a graduated living facility, sell off the house and property for development into tract housing for millionaires, divide up the profits, and live happily ever after.
But Trevor soon discovers there's someone else living in Riddell House: a ghost with an agenda of his own. For while the land holds tremendous value, it is also burdened by the final wishes of the family patriarch, Elijah, who mandated it be allowed to return to untamed forestland as a penance for the millions of trees harvested over the decades by the Riddell Timber Company. The ghost will not rest until Elijah's wish is fulfilled, and Trevor's willingness to face the past holds the key to his family's future.
A Sudden Light is a rich, atmospheric work that is at once a multigenerational family saga, a historical novel, a ghost story, and the story of a contemporary family's struggle to connect with each other. A tribute to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, it reflects Garth Stein's outsized capacity for empathy and keen understanding of human motivation, and his rare ability to see the unseen: the universal threads that connect us all.
Review
"Witty, atmospheric and filled with acutely observed characters, Stein's ghost story possesses uncommon depth." People
Review
"Rich and textured...Stein is resourceful, cleverly piecing together the family history with dreams, overheard conversations, and reminiscences...a tale well told." Seattle Times
Review
"Haunting in all the right ways." Booklist, (Starred Review)
Synopsis
The bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain presents a long-awaited new novel in which a boy trying to save his parents' marriage uncovers a vast legacy of family secrets.
In the summer of 1990, fourteen-year-old Trevor Riddell gets his first glimpse of Riddell House. Built from the spoils of a massive timber fortune, the legendary family mansion is constructed of giant whole trees and is set on a huge estate overlooking Seattle's Puget Sound. Trevor's bankrupt parents have begun a trial separation, and his father, Jones Riddell, has brought Trevor to Riddell House with a goal: to join forces with his sister, Serena, dispatch the ailing and elderly Grandpa Samuel to a nursing home, sell off the house and property for development, divide up the profits, and live happily ever after.
But as Trevor explores the house's secret stairways and hidden rooms, he discovers a spirit lingering in Riddell House whose agenda is at odds with the family plan. Only Trevor's willingness to face the dark past of his forefathers will reveal the key to his family's future.
Spellbinding and atmospheric, A Sudden Light is rich with unconventional characters, scenes of transcendent natural beauty, and unforgettable moments of emotional truth that reflect Garth Stein's outsized capacity for empathy and keen understanding of human motivation--a triumphant work of a master storyteller at the height of his power.
About the Author
Garth Stein is the author of the a New York Times bestselling novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain, published in thirty-five languages, and two previous novels, How Evan Broke, His Head and Other Secrets and Raven Stole the Moon. He is the co-founder of Seattle7Writers, a non-profit collective of Northwest authors working to foster a passion for the written word. He lives in Seattle with his family. Visit him online at GarthStein.com.
Biblio Notes
Genre/Form: Domestic fiction
Ghost stories
Fiction
Named Person: Trevor (Fictitious character) Riddel
Material Type: Fiction
Document Type: Book
All Authors / Contributors: Garth Stein
ISBN: 9781439187036 1439187037 9780857205759 0857205757 9781439187043 1439187045
OCLC Number: 873006184
Description: 396 pages ; 25 cm
Contents: Prologue: The curse --
The north estate --
Leaving New Haven --
Dinner is served --
The mighty Elijah --
In the night kitchen --
The talk --
The book of Jones --
Innocence lost --
The mountains of California --
Ben's world --
Birthday dinner --
Roosevelt and his man Pinchot --
The discovery --
Tree climbing --
Awake the sleeping giant --
Chamber of secrets --
The return of the hand --
Serena's visit --
The searchers --
The cottage --
Night dancing --
Tell me about your mother --
The basement --
Automatic writing --
The dilemma --
Dickie dances --
The fallen --
That man's father is my father's son --
A fight overheard --
Behold, this dreamer! --
Bad aunt --
Bonfire of the memories --
Quid pro quo --
House of stones --
A seduction --
Truth over loyalty --
A sudden light --
The haunting --
Double jeopardy --
Ben's tree --
The dumbwaiter --
Redemption --
The truth will out --
The last dance --
Sailing away --
After the fall --
Epilogue: Final resolution.
Responsibility: Garth Stein.
Number of Copies
1
