Call number
FIC STE
Collection
Genres
Publication
Simon & Schuster (2014), Edition: First Printing, 416 pages
Description
"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"--… (more)
Media reviews
This monotonous multigenerational tale of a family and its timber empire will have the reader sawing logs in no time.
User reviews
LibraryThing member mckait
Yes, I did like A Sudden Light: A Novel by Garth Stein. At first I was a bit baffled, not so much by the story, but the language in which it was told It didn't seem to be the language of a boy barely fourteen years old. But I kept reading, because there were twists, there were turns, and there were
A Sudden Light is a good read. good read, very descriptive, and dark. Very dark in some very sad and tortured ways.
The main character Trevor Riddell. He goes off to Riddell House with his father, Jones Riddell for the first time after his parents separate. The family has had financial reverses and they have lost their home.. There are some touching interactions between Trevor and his grandfather Samuel. Samuel seems to be suffering from mild dementia, but is still able to put up a fight against his children who want to put him into a nursing home and sell the home where he and his family lived for generations.
Serena seems a little unstable, and edgy. That is what I thought at first, but as it turns out, she is much more than that.
Written in the first person, and my only quibble with this book is that the words used to describe certain passages were very odd for a boy just turned 14 years old. For instance when he enters a small room and describes the carpet colors as rich crimson and tobacco, and the lamps as having kerosene reservoirs. There are many of these slight deviations but still, I read on until this too, was explained.
There are family secrets, there are spirits, ghosts and there really was a sudden light. But I think I will leave it to you to find it. I think you will be glad you did. I like a book that has a good solid ending, this gives you that, and more.
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insinuations that I needed to follow to the end. I'm glad I did.A Sudden Light is a good read. good read, very descriptive, and dark. Very dark in some very sad and tortured ways.
The main character Trevor Riddell. He goes off to Riddell House with his father, Jones Riddell for the first time after his parents separate. The family has had financial reverses and they have lost their home.. There are some touching interactions between Trevor and his grandfather Samuel. Samuel seems to be suffering from mild dementia, but is still able to put up a fight against his children who want to put him into a nursing home and sell the home where he and his family lived for generations.
Serena seems a little unstable, and edgy. That is what I thought at first, but as it turns out, she is much more than that.
Written in the first person, and my only quibble with this book is that the words used to describe certain passages were very odd for a boy just turned 14 years old. For instance when he enters a small room and describes the carpet colors as rich crimson and tobacco, and the lamps as having kerosene reservoirs. There are many of these slight deviations but still, I read on until this too, was explained.
There are family secrets, there are spirits, ghosts and there really was a sudden light. But I think I will leave it to you to find it. I think you will be glad you did. I like a book that has a good solid ending, this gives you that, and more.
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LibraryThing member Storeetllr
I haven't read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" yet, but I am definitely going to pick it up now because I like Stein's writing style very much.
"A Sudden Light" is the story of Trevor, a 14-year old boy whose parents are going through a rough patch, and his exposure to his father's family whom he
"A Sudden Light" is the story of Trevor, a 14-year old boy whose parents are going through a rough patch, and his exposure to his father's family whom he
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had never met before. It's told by the man the boy becomes, so some of Trevor's thoughts and speech don't seem like that of a 14-year old boy, and, as another reviewer said, his reactions to the skeletons in the family closet, not to mention the ghosts that are haunting the old family mansion, just don't ring quite true. However, that said, this was a compelling read with some lovely writing and some interesting and likable characters, as well as some really creepy ones and a bit of an ick factor, though it's really not gruesome at all for being a ghost story. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife
I have a confession to make. I have not read THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN. I've seen the title - in fact, my feed reader was inundated with book reviews and buzz about the book when it came out, but for some reason, I've just never felt the urge to pick it up and read it. Still, I've spent quite a
Read the rest of this review at The Lost Entwife on Sept. 22, 2014.
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bit of time looking at the cover on Amazon, in my local bookstore, and I've even seen it at some garage sales. I can picture it clearly in my mind, and so, when I saw that A SUDDEN LIGHT was being released I thought - why not read the newest Garth Stein book and actually be on top of things?Read the rest of this review at The Lost Entwife on Sept. 22, 2014.
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LibraryThing member SugarCreekRanch
t's not bad... but it doesn't live up to "The Art of Racing in the Rain" (which I LOVED) or "Raven Stole the Moon" (which I liked very much).
In this book, fourteen year old Trevor Riddell's parents are the brink of a break-up. While his mother goes home to England for a visit, Trevor and his father
I didn't really connect with Trevor. He seems far more adult than a 14 year old, perhaps because much of the time it is adult Trevor remembering what had happened. The finding of the clues felt a little contrived... diaries and letters laying hidden for many years, and Trevor happens to stumble on them just at the right time. But my biggest complaint is the pacing... it felt this story just dragged along, with not much happening until the last quarter or so.
In this book, fourteen year old Trevor Riddell's parents are the brink of a break-up. While his mother goes home to England for a visit, Trevor and his father
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visit his father's boyhood home... which is an aging mansion set in a large tract of forested land in the Pacific Northwest. Trevor's father and aunt hope to sell the property for development, but his grandfather is against the idea. Trevor uncovers secrets about the family and property via diaries, letters, and communications from ghosts.I didn't really connect with Trevor. He seems far more adult than a 14 year old, perhaps because much of the time it is adult Trevor remembering what had happened. The finding of the clues felt a little contrived... diaries and letters laying hidden for many years, and Trevor happens to stumble on them just at the right time. But my biggest complaint is the pacing... it felt this story just dragged along, with not much happening until the last quarter or so.
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
2.5 this book had all the elements that draw me towards a novel: a huge old house with secret passages and rooms, a old family secret, old diaries found and a few very unusual characters. So why didn't this novel work for me?
It is narrated by a man looking back at a period in his life when his
Anyway this has gotten many good reviews so if you are curious, try it for yourself. This is just my own personal opinion and others may not agree.
ARC from NetGalley.
It is narrated by a man looking back at a period in his life when his
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parents were separated and he met his Father's family for the first tie, encountered the house and a few ghosts but it is all narrated by his fourteen year old self. This kind of bugged me. There were times I was plainly bored, the novel seemed to really drag in places and go off in tangents in others. Never quite figured out what this novel was meant to be, maybe too much was undertaken? This is one I would put down and not really be tempted to pick it back up. I didn't hate it, I just didn't like it as much as I thought I would. I think my favorite character was the grandfather, said to be suffering from Alzheimer, his seemed the most realistic character and his dialogue seemed true. The other characters dialogue at times seemed rote or wooden.Anyway this has gotten many good reviews so if you are curious, try it for yourself. This is just my own personal opinion and others may not agree.
ARC from NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member melaniehope
This was a well-written book. At first I thought of giving it only three stars, but the story picked up. As Trevor tries to save his parents marriage, he discovers some family secrets along the way.
The story takes place in 1990. Trevor and his dad return to his family home to sell the Riddell
Trevor begins to feel a presence at the house named Ben. Through dreams and strange events, Trevor begins to unravel the mystery of his dad's time growing up. Trevor sets out to save both Riddell house and his family at the same time.
This was a haunting story of secrets that will captivate readers. I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley.com.
The story takes place in 1990. Trevor and his dad return to his family home to sell the Riddell
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mansion and collect the money. There Trevor meets his strange but alluring Aunt for the first time at the house. She has been living there and taking care of her elderly dad who she wants put into a nursing home.Trevor begins to feel a presence at the house named Ben. Through dreams and strange events, Trevor begins to unravel the mystery of his dad's time growing up. Trevor sets out to save both Riddell house and his family at the same time.
This was a haunting story of secrets that will captivate readers. I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley.com.
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LibraryThing member BookDivasReads
Trevor Riddell is a typical fourteen-year-old boy until his parents file bankruptcy and decide on a trial separation. He is then uprooted from his East Coast life to his father's ancestral home in Washington State. It is here that Trevor meets, for the first time, his grandfather and his aunt. He
A Sudden Light is an amazing blend of one family's history, self-discovery, historical drama, contemporary fiction, and the supernatural all rolled into one incredible story. Trevor doesn't set out to uncover his family's secrets when he arrives at Riddell House, but he quickly begins to realize that all is not what it seems. He hears music in the ballroom and witnesses an apparition dancing, supposedly his grandmother Isobel. He bonds with his grandfather Samuel and learns to deal with his dementia. He admires his Aunt Serena but also realizes that she isn't the intelligent and beneficent person she appears to be. He also realizes that his father is a broken man, partially by his past at Riddell House and partially because of broken dreams. As Trevor explores Riddell House he learns about his great-great-grandfather Elijah, his gay great-uncle Ben (one of the other ghosts), his great-grandfather Abraham, his grandmother Isobel, his grandfather Samuel, and more. One of the enduring Riddell family legacies seems to be the dysfunctional relationship between father and son. It might seem unrealistic to think that a teenager could mend the broken ties within his family after generations of dysfunction, but that is exactly what Trevor attempts to do.
I could go on and on about the Riddell family's generational dysfunction, about the ghosts that seem to direct Trevor's quest, about Serena and Jones (Trevor's father) machinations to get their father to agree to sell the house and property to a real estate developer, or about Trevor's growth as a person throughout the story. What I will say is that A Sudden Light is an engrossing read about one boy and his family, those living and those deceased. I enjoyed reading about the history of the Riddell family and Riddell House. I felt sympathy for Benjamin as he mourned the death of his lover and soul mate. I felt sympathy for his father Elijah as he mourned the death of Benjamin. I felt excitement tempered with anxiety as Trevor explored the house and interacted with the ghosts. I was angry with Trevor's father Jones as he drowned his sorrows in alcohol while attempting to regain his lost youth. We won't even discuss how I felt about Serena and her passive-aggressive manipulations (I didn't like it). Be prepared because the ending is a bit of surprise (no I won't tell you what happens, read the book!). If you like contemporary fiction, historical fiction, ghost stories, or family drama, then this is the book for you to read. If you haven't guessed by now, I loved A Sudden Light and can recommend it to anyone that simply enjoys reading a well-crafted story.
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also discovers more about his father in one week than he has in the past fourteen years. Trevor's summer at Riddell House is filled with four-generations of father-and-son angst and drama, as well as ghosts. Is it possible for this normal teenager to uncover the secrets in his family and unlock the past so everyone in his family can move on?A Sudden Light is an amazing blend of one family's history, self-discovery, historical drama, contemporary fiction, and the supernatural all rolled into one incredible story. Trevor doesn't set out to uncover his family's secrets when he arrives at Riddell House, but he quickly begins to realize that all is not what it seems. He hears music in the ballroom and witnesses an apparition dancing, supposedly his grandmother Isobel. He bonds with his grandfather Samuel and learns to deal with his dementia. He admires his Aunt Serena but also realizes that she isn't the intelligent and beneficent person she appears to be. He also realizes that his father is a broken man, partially by his past at Riddell House and partially because of broken dreams. As Trevor explores Riddell House he learns about his great-great-grandfather Elijah, his gay great-uncle Ben (one of the other ghosts), his great-grandfather Abraham, his grandmother Isobel, his grandfather Samuel, and more. One of the enduring Riddell family legacies seems to be the dysfunctional relationship between father and son. It might seem unrealistic to think that a teenager could mend the broken ties within his family after generations of dysfunction, but that is exactly what Trevor attempts to do.
I could go on and on about the Riddell family's generational dysfunction, about the ghosts that seem to direct Trevor's quest, about Serena and Jones (Trevor's father) machinations to get their father to agree to sell the house and property to a real estate developer, or about Trevor's growth as a person throughout the story. What I will say is that A Sudden Light is an engrossing read about one boy and his family, those living and those deceased. I enjoyed reading about the history of the Riddell family and Riddell House. I felt sympathy for Benjamin as he mourned the death of his lover and soul mate. I felt sympathy for his father Elijah as he mourned the death of Benjamin. I felt excitement tempered with anxiety as Trevor explored the house and interacted with the ghosts. I was angry with Trevor's father Jones as he drowned his sorrows in alcohol while attempting to regain his lost youth. We won't even discuss how I felt about Serena and her passive-aggressive manipulations (I didn't like it). Be prepared because the ending is a bit of surprise (no I won't tell you what happens, read the book!). If you like contemporary fiction, historical fiction, ghost stories, or family drama, then this is the book for you to read. If you haven't guessed by now, I loved A Sudden Light and can recommend it to anyone that simply enjoys reading a well-crafted story.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
There is so much to love in A Sudden Light that is becomes difficult to review the novel without unabashed gushing. It is one of those rare novels that has it all – a spooky house, ghostly presences, an amazing background, intriguing characters, a well-executed plot, and the emotional connections
Every family has its share of quirky characters and skeletons hiding in closets, and the Riddell family is no different. Grandpa Samuel may appear to be exhibiting signs of dementia, but there is something else bothering him. Aunt Serena is a bit too sultry to be an ordinary aunt. Serena and Jones are hiding something from both Trevor and Samuel. All of this while Trevor is experiencing visits from beyond the grave. To add to the cast of characters are the long-dead relatives – the lumber baron who built the family fortune, the lumber baron’s son who lost the family fortune, and the other son who died suddenly and young. Trevor soon discovers that no where is the idea that family is forever more apparent than at Riddell House.
The declining house and the looming forest add to the spooky atmosphere of the story and ultimately become characters in their own right. So much of the novel explores one’s responsibility to nature that the trees become personified during Trevor’s quest to decipher right from wrong. Similarly, as a silent witness to all of the family drama, Riddell House takes on a life of its own, protesting through creaks, groans, and other eccentricities of a house falling into ruins. Together, they enhance the ominous feel of everything occurring within Trevor’s life and capture a reader’s imagination.
In A Sudden Light, Garth Stein confirms his powers of observation and skill at capturing the human emotional experience. His descriptive scenes are exquisite and alive. His characters are complex and real. His story taps into the very heart of the intricacies of family bonds. It is a stunning story of love and forgiveness that one would be remiss to ignore.
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necessary for any story about family. The supernatural element is never a distraction but rather enhances the ties that bind Trevor to Riddell House and his grandfather. The whole novel makes for one of those unforgettable reading experiences filled with intensity and reflection, high emotion, and a general escape from reality.Every family has its share of quirky characters and skeletons hiding in closets, and the Riddell family is no different. Grandpa Samuel may appear to be exhibiting signs of dementia, but there is something else bothering him. Aunt Serena is a bit too sultry to be an ordinary aunt. Serena and Jones are hiding something from both Trevor and Samuel. All of this while Trevor is experiencing visits from beyond the grave. To add to the cast of characters are the long-dead relatives – the lumber baron who built the family fortune, the lumber baron’s son who lost the family fortune, and the other son who died suddenly and young. Trevor soon discovers that no where is the idea that family is forever more apparent than at Riddell House.
The declining house and the looming forest add to the spooky atmosphere of the story and ultimately become characters in their own right. So much of the novel explores one’s responsibility to nature that the trees become personified during Trevor’s quest to decipher right from wrong. Similarly, as a silent witness to all of the family drama, Riddell House takes on a life of its own, protesting through creaks, groans, and other eccentricities of a house falling into ruins. Together, they enhance the ominous feel of everything occurring within Trevor’s life and capture a reader’s imagination.
In A Sudden Light, Garth Stein confirms his powers of observation and skill at capturing the human emotional experience. His descriptive scenes are exquisite and alive. His characters are complex and real. His story taps into the very heart of the intricacies of family bonds. It is a stunning story of love and forgiveness that one would be remiss to ignore.
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LibraryThing member brangwinn
If you live western Washington, you'll really enjoy this book. It is a very unusual coming of age story about the great great grandson of a Seattle timber baron.
LibraryThing member susiesharp
Pub Date: Sep 30 2014
Those who follow my reviews know I am a sucker for a good family secrets novel and this one had it all…secrets, spirits/ghosts, lies, deception and a great generational story. I enjoyed Stein’s book The Art of Racing in the Rain and when I saw he had a new book coming out I
I really enjoyed this story I liked the flow of it and the writing, I felt like Trevor was telling me his story and I was completely enthralled.
My favorite character in this book was Grandpa Samuel even though he wasn’t the best father or husband or grandfather it was the little snippets he would come up with that would make me laugh or wince but truth coming from a “demented” person sometimes takes a humorous tone.
I wasn’t fond of Serena at all and she creeped me out long before anyone in the book seemed to realize how creepy she was. But I won’t say anymore because *No Spoilers*
Trevor is a 14 year old kid who just wants his parents to get back together and be happy again. When his parents separate his mother goes to England and Trevor accompanies his father, Jones, to his ancestral home North Estate a home made completely out of huge logs and a place his father hasn’t been since he was banished from the home at 16 after his mother died. Trevor is more than happy to accompany his father because he makes it his mission to fix his dad and make everything ok between his parents. But as he soon discovers there is more going on at North estate than meets the eye and it may take a lot more than he was bargaining for to help his dad. I enjoyed Trevor’s intellect and his ability to believe in things even when everyone is telling him not to.
Trevor’s dad Jones is a messed up man, something happened in this house years ago that he won’t talk about and it has affected and is still affecting his entire life but can he step up and become the father his never was?
Then there is the history of the house generations back a promise was made to a dead man that one day North Estate would be allowed to go back to the forest but the people living there today want to be rid of it and want to make boat loads of money in the process, so do you keep a promise to a dead man? Or do you do whatever you want and have the life your forefathers had before other generations squandered the fortune?
These people and stories come together in a great book that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a multi-generational family secrets story.
4 ½ Stars
Full-Disclosure: I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher for a fair and honest review.
Those who follow my reviews know I am a sucker for a good family secrets novel and this one had it all…secrets, spirits/ghosts, lies, deception and a great generational story. I enjoyed Stein’s book The Art of Racing in the Rain and when I saw he had a new book coming out I
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requested this one on Netgalley and once I started I could not put it down.I really enjoyed this story I liked the flow of it and the writing, I felt like Trevor was telling me his story and I was completely enthralled.
My favorite character in this book was Grandpa Samuel even though he wasn’t the best father or husband or grandfather it was the little snippets he would come up with that would make me laugh or wince but truth coming from a “demented” person sometimes takes a humorous tone.
I wasn’t fond of Serena at all and she creeped me out long before anyone in the book seemed to realize how creepy she was. But I won’t say anymore because *No Spoilers*
Trevor is a 14 year old kid who just wants his parents to get back together and be happy again. When his parents separate his mother goes to England and Trevor accompanies his father, Jones, to his ancestral home North Estate a home made completely out of huge logs and a place his father hasn’t been since he was banished from the home at 16 after his mother died. Trevor is more than happy to accompany his father because he makes it his mission to fix his dad and make everything ok between his parents. But as he soon discovers there is more going on at North estate than meets the eye and it may take a lot more than he was bargaining for to help his dad. I enjoyed Trevor’s intellect and his ability to believe in things even when everyone is telling him not to.
Trevor’s dad Jones is a messed up man, something happened in this house years ago that he won’t talk about and it has affected and is still affecting his entire life but can he step up and become the father his never was?
Then there is the history of the house generations back a promise was made to a dead man that one day North Estate would be allowed to go back to the forest but the people living there today want to be rid of it and want to make boat loads of money in the process, so do you keep a promise to a dead man? Or do you do whatever you want and have the life your forefathers had before other generations squandered the fortune?
These people and stories come together in a great book that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a multi-generational family secrets story.
4 ½ Stars
Full-Disclosure: I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher for a fair and honest review.
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LibraryThing member Quiltinfun06
Garth Stein does not disappoint in this incredible novel. This is so well written and a true page turner. I basically inhaled it.
The Riddell family is in deep financial trouble and their estate on the Puget sound in Seattle could provide the answer....that is if they can get Grandpa Samuel to sign
Part ghost story, part love story A Sudden Light is an enchanting novel beautifully executed. I could not put the book down. In the end I felt like I was part of the story and yes, I truly believed in ghosts.
The Riddell family is in deep financial trouble and their estate on the Puget sound in Seattle could provide the answer....that is if they can get Grandpa Samuel to sign
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a power of attorney making it possible for his grandchildren to sell the estate to land developers. Trevor, his great grandson, has come to Seattle with his Dad in hopes of saving his parent's marriage by completing the task that must be done in Seattle. The problem becomes that Trevor is in touch with his ancestors who are ghosts reaching out to him. The encourage him to fulfill the promise made all those years ago to return the estate to the forest and make it a national park. Part ghost story, part love story A Sudden Light is an enchanting novel beautifully executed. I could not put the book down. In the end I felt like I was part of the story and yes, I truly believed in ghosts.
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LibraryThing member sbenne3
I really enjoyed this book - not usually a fan of "ghost stories" but in this case a well written novel with lots of good plot twists. Almost believable ....
LibraryThing member jolerie
Oh, my faith has flagged at times. It's easy to fall back into the same routines and paint over the sublime with coat after coat of indifference. But now, in this moment of my telling this story to you, my faith is full. And I promise you something: when you have touched the face of God, you can
Trevor Riddell is a fourteen year old teenager who didn't know that he came from a long line of powerful, wealthy men. He also didn't know that the mansion his forefathers had built in an isolated forested area of the Pacific Northwest would hold secrets long buried and forgotten. What he does come to know at the end of his summer with his father and eccentric relatives is that spirits do exist, that guilt can consume a person's life, and sometimes, just sometimes, shedding light to dark secrets can be the first step towards freedom, but not without it's sacrifice, and not without leaving you forever changed.
A Sudden Light is one of those books that you can't reveal too many details otherwise you take away the part that makes it magical. It is a complicated story of relationships, of families, of love, and how our past is an integral piece of who we are. Part ghost story, part mystery, but at the heart of it all, it's about a boy whose voice is at once both cynical and humorous, searching for answers he didn't even realized he wanted to ask. A completely captivating and satisfying story that you just have to experience for yourself. Highly, highly, recommend.
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never unlearn what you have learned. You can never unsee what you have seen. Page 348Trevor Riddell is a fourteen year old teenager who didn't know that he came from a long line of powerful, wealthy men. He also didn't know that the mansion his forefathers had built in an isolated forested area of the Pacific Northwest would hold secrets long buried and forgotten. What he does come to know at the end of his summer with his father and eccentric relatives is that spirits do exist, that guilt can consume a person's life, and sometimes, just sometimes, shedding light to dark secrets can be the first step towards freedom, but not without it's sacrifice, and not without leaving you forever changed.
A Sudden Light is one of those books that you can't reveal too many details otherwise you take away the part that makes it magical. It is a complicated story of relationships, of families, of love, and how our past is an integral piece of who we are. Part ghost story, part mystery, but at the heart of it all, it's about a boy whose voice is at once both cynical and humorous, searching for answers he didn't even realized he wanted to ask. A completely captivating and satisfying story that you just have to experience for yourself. Highly, highly, recommend.
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LibraryThing member crashmyparty
Thank you to Simon & Schuster AU for providing this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my review in any way.
A Sudden Light is a story about love, loss, regret and a ghost that spans over generations of the Riddell family. The Riddell House, where fourteen-year-old
A Sudden Light is told in the reflective voice of Trevor, now in his thirties, as he tells the story of that summer to his children. I loved how the naivety and innocence of young Trevor, with his plan to get his parents back together and repair his family, is melded with the wiser tones of the older Trevor and how he remembers what happened that summer. I really enjoyed this style of writing and could easily identify when the older Trevor was kind of narrating and the younger one was living it, so to speak. The older Trevor describes things and emotions and thoughts that the younger Trevor, though a gifted writer, may not have understood or had the capacity to explain at the time. He did keep a journal which would have helped the recall of the older Trevor along, I’m sure.
We have a very interesting cast of characters in the Riddell House – both living and dead. Trevor, the only child, and his dad have returned to the family house where Aunt Serena and Grandpa Samuel have lived since Trevor’s dad, Jones, was a child. Aunt Serena is a powerful character who has something to wield over the other members of the family and an ideal she won’t let go of. Grandpa Samuel is slowly losing his mind to Alzheimer’s – or is he? He claims he can hear his late wife Isobel dancing in the night and he writes out Post-It notes that nobody understands. Jones and Serena join forces to convince their father its time to sell the house to developers and Trevor is enlisted to help. But as Trevor learns more about the house and its previous inhabitants, he starts to wonder if that is really a good idea. He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place: once they have money from the sale, he believes his parents will get back together. As he delves further and further into the mystery of the house and meets its ghostly inhabitant, who won’t leave until the house and the estate is turned back to nature, Trevor doesn’t know what to do. Add to that the double motives of Aunt Serena and the possibility that Grandpa Samuel might not actually be crazy – the Riddell House is so much more than it seems and its no wonder that Trevor is torn.
There was a lot involved in this novel: the history of the Riddell House and its inhabitants, the reason Jones left the family house and never went back, the current trial separation, the plot to sell the house to developers and put Grandpa Samuel in a nursing home as well as environmental consciousness and related issues to logging and life in the 1900s. But I liked it. It was full of life and complexity because life is full of complexity. I never felt like there was too much going on in this book, I just went along for the ride and enjoyed all of it. I loved Trevor’s snarky fourteen-year-old attitude and his cleverness, and the fact that he knew he was clever and yet wasn’t a pain. I enjoyed his inquisitiveness and watching him develop a conscious about things he hadn’t yet considered in his young life. I loved Grandpa Samuel, and I detested Serena, and I felt sorry for Jones – it was just a winning combination. Everything just flowed so perfectly and as the story raced towards its conclusion, my heart was in my mouth and by the time the epilogue rolled around I had tears streaking down my face.
I really enjoy multi-generational stories that feel epic due to the span of time they cross and the intricacies of the characters and I love family secrets! And the other thing is I just can’t find anything wrong with this book. And I try to, you guys know that. BUT ITS BRILLIANT. Solid five stars and I’m off to find The Art of Racing in the Rain.
A Sudden Light is a story about love, loss, regret and a ghost that spans over generations of the Riddell family. The Riddell House, where fourteen-year-old
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Trevor’s grandfather and aunt live – who he has never met before the summer of 1990 – has been in the family since the early 1900s when it was built by Trevor’s great-great-grandfather and is full of mystery, deception and family secrets. Feeling the weight of his parents’ ‘trial separation’ after they become bankrupt, Trevor sets out to put the story together and uncover the hidden truths of his family. As he does, he realises that they are not alone in Riddell House. A Sudden Light is told in the reflective voice of Trevor, now in his thirties, as he tells the story of that summer to his children. I loved how the naivety and innocence of young Trevor, with his plan to get his parents back together and repair his family, is melded with the wiser tones of the older Trevor and how he remembers what happened that summer. I really enjoyed this style of writing and could easily identify when the older Trevor was kind of narrating and the younger one was living it, so to speak. The older Trevor describes things and emotions and thoughts that the younger Trevor, though a gifted writer, may not have understood or had the capacity to explain at the time. He did keep a journal which would have helped the recall of the older Trevor along, I’m sure.
We have a very interesting cast of characters in the Riddell House – both living and dead. Trevor, the only child, and his dad have returned to the family house where Aunt Serena and Grandpa Samuel have lived since Trevor’s dad, Jones, was a child. Aunt Serena is a powerful character who has something to wield over the other members of the family and an ideal she won’t let go of. Grandpa Samuel is slowly losing his mind to Alzheimer’s – or is he? He claims he can hear his late wife Isobel dancing in the night and he writes out Post-It notes that nobody understands. Jones and Serena join forces to convince their father its time to sell the house to developers and Trevor is enlisted to help. But as Trevor learns more about the house and its previous inhabitants, he starts to wonder if that is really a good idea. He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place: once they have money from the sale, he believes his parents will get back together. As he delves further and further into the mystery of the house and meets its ghostly inhabitant, who won’t leave until the house and the estate is turned back to nature, Trevor doesn’t know what to do. Add to that the double motives of Aunt Serena and the possibility that Grandpa Samuel might not actually be crazy – the Riddell House is so much more than it seems and its no wonder that Trevor is torn.
There was a lot involved in this novel: the history of the Riddell House and its inhabitants, the reason Jones left the family house and never went back, the current trial separation, the plot to sell the house to developers and put Grandpa Samuel in a nursing home as well as environmental consciousness and related issues to logging and life in the 1900s. But I liked it. It was full of life and complexity because life is full of complexity. I never felt like there was too much going on in this book, I just went along for the ride and enjoyed all of it. I loved Trevor’s snarky fourteen-year-old attitude and his cleverness, and the fact that he knew he was clever and yet wasn’t a pain. I enjoyed his inquisitiveness and watching him develop a conscious about things he hadn’t yet considered in his young life. I loved Grandpa Samuel, and I detested Serena, and I felt sorry for Jones – it was just a winning combination. Everything just flowed so perfectly and as the story raced towards its conclusion, my heart was in my mouth and by the time the epilogue rolled around I had tears streaking down my face.
I really enjoy multi-generational stories that feel epic due to the span of time they cross and the intricacies of the characters and I love family secrets! And the other thing is I just can’t find anything wrong with this book. And I try to, you guys know that. BUT ITS BRILLIANT. Solid five stars and I’m off to find The Art of Racing in the Rain.
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LibraryThing member LaurenAileen
I received “a Sudden Light” at BEA 2014 and hadn’t had a chance to read it until now. It was highly recommended by a co-worker and the cover was too impossible to resist!
Many users have already summarized the story, so I don’t feel a need to go through it all again. I was intrigued
In the end, I was glad that I finally read the story. I ended up skipping a few pages of the ending because I found it slightly redundant, but other than that it held my interest for the entire length of the plot. I thought the flashback/dream scenes were incredibly interesting and I wished that I could see a bit more of that. I also loved the description of the house and land, and I loved the relationship that Trevor built with Grandpa Samuel. I’ve never read any of Garth Stein’s other books (I know, I know!) but this got me interested in him.
Many users have already summarized the story, so I don’t feel a need to go through it all again. I was intrigued
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immediately with the story. It was a mix of mystery, ghost story, and rich literature. I loved the actual plotline as well. Everyone’s family is filled with historical mysteries, and it was exciting to see Trevor uncover his own family’s background – which turned out to be so bizarre that it made the entire story unpredictable. I also loved the characters Trevor (who, I agree, was a bit mature for his age, but I chalked it up to him reworking his past a bit as he’s telling it as an adult) and Grandpa Samuel. However, I found it very difficult to find any redeeming qualities in Serena, Trevor’s father, or Trevor’s mother. The entire relationship between Serena and Trevor’s father (“Brother Jones”) was cringe-worthy to me, and I lost a lot of respect for Jones for not snapping out of it and realizing what a horrible person Serena was. It made it difficult to read because I basically wanted to smack some sense into all of them.In the end, I was glad that I finally read the story. I ended up skipping a few pages of the ending because I found it slightly redundant, but other than that it held my interest for the entire length of the plot. I thought the flashback/dream scenes were incredibly interesting and I wished that I could see a bit more of that. I also loved the description of the house and land, and I loved the relationship that Trevor built with Grandpa Samuel. I’ve never read any of Garth Stein’s other books (I know, I know!) but this got me interested in him.
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LibraryThing member c.archer
Great story. I am always impressed by his ability to tell a tale that is fresh and really holds your interest.
LibraryThing member writestuff
Fourteen year old Trevor Riddell knows next to nothing about his father’s side of the family…but when Trevor’s mother and father lose the family home and go their separate ways, Trevor travels with his father, Jones Riddell, to the Pacific Northwest and lands at Riddell House – a massive
Garth Stein is perhaps best known for his novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain (which I loved), and with A Sudden Light he returns to some common themes of spirituality, connection to others, and moving forward through life’s challenges. But that is where the similarities end. A Sudden Light is really about family secrets and righting wrongs, about finding what is truly important in life and choosing people over “things” and money.
The book is retrospectively narrated by the adult Trevor who is looking back on the summer of his fourteenth year. Through Trevor’s eyes the reader begins to uncover the dysfunctional lives of the Riddell family. The characters are decidedly quirky and not always wholly likable (Serena is just downright creepy). I fell in love with Grandpa Samuel who is deeply flawed, but completely believable.
Stein’s writing is captivating and beautifully penned. The novel is not without its weaknesses (readers have to suspend reality to fully connect with the characters), but I found myself slipping into the story and looking forward to picking up the book the more pages I turned.
Garth Stein has written a family saga that fully immerses the reader in the Pacific Northwest’s timber industry. Those who enjoy quirky characters and novels which touch the human heart, will want to pick up a copy of A Sudden Light.
Recommended.
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mansion made from whole trees and perched on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. Jones reunites with his sister Serena, an oddly sexual woman who harbors some deep and disturbing secrets. Together, the two siblings hatch a plan to force the elderly Grandpa Samuel (their father and Trevor’s grandfather) to sign over his rights so they can sell off the house and property to land developers. Trevor is pulled into the scheme, while at the same time he begins to explore the mansion (guided by a ghostly, long dead great-uncle) and uncover the secrets of the past.Garth Stein is perhaps best known for his novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain (which I loved), and with A Sudden Light he returns to some common themes of spirituality, connection to others, and moving forward through life’s challenges. But that is where the similarities end. A Sudden Light is really about family secrets and righting wrongs, about finding what is truly important in life and choosing people over “things” and money.
The book is retrospectively narrated by the adult Trevor who is looking back on the summer of his fourteenth year. Through Trevor’s eyes the reader begins to uncover the dysfunctional lives of the Riddell family. The characters are decidedly quirky and not always wholly likable (Serena is just downright creepy). I fell in love with Grandpa Samuel who is deeply flawed, but completely believable.
Stein’s writing is captivating and beautifully penned. The novel is not without its weaknesses (readers have to suspend reality to fully connect with the characters), but I found myself slipping into the story and looking forward to picking up the book the more pages I turned.
Garth Stein has written a family saga that fully immerses the reader in the Pacific Northwest’s timber industry. Those who enjoy quirky characters and novels which touch the human heart, will want to pick up a copy of A Sudden Light.
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member voracious
When 14 year old, Trevor Riddell's parents decide to separate, Trevor travels across the country with his father to visit the Seattle mansion where his father grew up. The goal of their trip is to have Trevor's grandfather sell the house, which is literally falling apart after decades of neglect.
This novel is unlike any that I have read before, as the topic of the story blended history and the supernatural in a very unique setting. I enjoyed Trevor's exploration of the house but was a little bored by the long passages which described the history and philosophy of those who sought to make a profit of the land out of greed. Also, the relationship between Serena and Trevor's father was a little creepy and not fully explained, which was a little troubling. However, I think that most people will enjoy this novel overall, particularly those who enjoy historical fiction or ghost stories set in creepy old houses.
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Having never met his grandfather or aunt Serena, Trevor is surprised and deeply curious to understand the long and twisted Riddell family history, which involved logging, trains, and philosophical and political debates over protecting America's natural resources. As Trevor begins exploring the mansion, which is filled with secret passages and hidden rooms, he comes into contact with ghosts and other unexplained phenomena, as well as the darker side of his family's past and present. This novel is unlike any that I have read before, as the topic of the story blended history and the supernatural in a very unique setting. I enjoyed Trevor's exploration of the house but was a little bored by the long passages which described the history and philosophy of those who sought to make a profit of the land out of greed. Also, the relationship between Serena and Trevor's father was a little creepy and not fully explained, which was a little troubling. However, I think that most people will enjoy this novel overall, particularly those who enjoy historical fiction or ghost stories set in creepy old houses.
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LibraryThing member lauriebrown54
When Jones Riddell goes bankrupt and loses his house, he and his wife have a trial separation. Rachel returns to her home in England, while Jones takes his son, Trevor, back to the Riddell family home: North Estate and the Riddell House on Puget Sound, just outside Seattle proper. At the turn of
The story is told by Trevor, looking back from adulthood to events that happened when he was barely 14, as he seeks to find the truth about what is going on in the house at that point- and digging into the past that formed it. He finds that there are a lot of secrets in the Riddell family and no one seems to want them dug up. There is a gay great-great (I think that’s right- I had a lot of trouble keeping the family linage straight) uncle and his soulmate; there is the medicine that Serena gives her father; there are hidden passages and stairwells everywhere; there is the maneuvering to get Samuel to sign a power of attorney; and there are ghosts. Lots of ghosts. Oh, and the family is seriously dysfunctional. Samuel comes closest to normal, and he’s got dementia. Jones abandons all parental care as soon as they enter Riddell House to wallow in his own problems- not that, it turns out, he hadn’t already been doing that for years. Serena is the creepiest aunt/sister/daughter ever.
I couldn’t put this book down. I couldn’t wait to find out what Trevor would discover next. But the book is not without its flaws. Trevor is altogether too calm when confronted with ghosts. What 14 year old meets a ghost for the first time and doesn’t have *some* kind of emotional reaction? Even if they aren’t scared, there would have to be at least some excitement. Likewise, all his other emotions seem damped down. This could be the result of the story being told from an adult perspective, but I thought it took a lot of the excitement out of the book. Still, four and a half stars for the way the book wouldn’t let me go.
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the 20th century, Riddell House was an amazing mansion, built with the proceeds from exploiting the old growth timber that covered the Pacific Northwest. Now it’s termite eaten and unkept up; there is no money for repairs and barely enough to live on; and only Jones’s sister Serena and their father Samuel live in it. The crux of the story is that Serena and Jones want to sell the house and property to developers, so they can have the money they ‘deserve’, but Samuel, who has Alzheimer’s, refuses to do so. Years ago, an ancestor tried to make it so the property would eventually be returned to nature as a park, and this has created a conflict in the family for years. The story is told by Trevor, looking back from adulthood to events that happened when he was barely 14, as he seeks to find the truth about what is going on in the house at that point- and digging into the past that formed it. He finds that there are a lot of secrets in the Riddell family and no one seems to want them dug up. There is a gay great-great (I think that’s right- I had a lot of trouble keeping the family linage straight) uncle and his soulmate; there is the medicine that Serena gives her father; there are hidden passages and stairwells everywhere; there is the maneuvering to get Samuel to sign a power of attorney; and there are ghosts. Lots of ghosts. Oh, and the family is seriously dysfunctional. Samuel comes closest to normal, and he’s got dementia. Jones abandons all parental care as soon as they enter Riddell House to wallow in his own problems- not that, it turns out, he hadn’t already been doing that for years. Serena is the creepiest aunt/sister/daughter ever.
I couldn’t put this book down. I couldn’t wait to find out what Trevor would discover next. But the book is not without its flaws. Trevor is altogether too calm when confronted with ghosts. What 14 year old meets a ghost for the first time and doesn’t have *some* kind of emotional reaction? Even if they aren’t scared, there would have to be at least some excitement. Likewise, all his other emotions seem damped down. This could be the result of the story being told from an adult perspective, but I thought it took a lot of the excitement out of the book. Still, four and a half stars for the way the book wouldn’t let me go.
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LibraryThing member pegmcdaniel
Thanks to the publisher, Simon & Schuster, through NetGalley, for sending me a digital copy of Garth Stein's latest novel, A Sudden Light.
I have read only one of Stein's previous novels, The Art of Racing in the Rain, which was wonderful. I was excited to get a copy of his newest work. To me, it
Narrated by 14-year-old Trevor Riddell, we learn about the family home (which seems to be haunted) and mysterious deceased family members, while he tries to determine exactly what is going on with his aunt and grandfather who still reside there. Trevor seems much older than 14 as he starts to investigate and, ultimately, figures things out.
There are many strong characters who I thoroughly enjoyed. I hope to read some of Mr. Stein's other works. I give this well-written novel 4 Stars out of 5.
I have read only one of Stein's previous novels, The Art of Racing in the Rain, which was wonderful. I was excited to get a copy of his newest work. To me, it
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reads like an epic since the reader is taken back in time to learn the history of the previous generations of the Riddell family who amassed a fortune in the timber industry in the Pacific Northwest.Narrated by 14-year-old Trevor Riddell, we learn about the family home (which seems to be haunted) and mysterious deceased family members, while he tries to determine exactly what is going on with his aunt and grandfather who still reside there. Trevor seems much older than 14 as he starts to investigate and, ultimately, figures things out.
There are many strong characters who I thoroughly enjoyed. I hope to read some of Mr. Stein's other works. I give this well-written novel 4 Stars out of 5.
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LibraryThing member bookofsecrets
A SUDDEN LIGHT is an engrossing Gothic novel set in the Pacific Northwest in 1990. When his parents separate, 14-year old Trevor Riddell travels with his father to Riddell House, a once glorious estate built with the family's timber fortune. What he finds there, well...
I don't know why, but this is
The language in this book was gorgeous and descriptive. I could easily picture the crumbling Riddell mansion (a character itself) and the majestic forest surrounding it. I really enjoyed listening to this on audiobook. Narrator Seth Numrich did a great job with the many different characters, each one sounding distinct. When he did the voice of Trevor's father, he sounded a bit like Keanu Reeves, which I liked. ;-)
I'd definitely recommend A SUDDEN LIGHT to readers who enjoy family sagas, ghosts, and coming of age stories. 4.5 Stars!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know why, but this is
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a difficult book for me to review. I loved it. How's that? A SUDDEN LIGHT is very much a strong character-driven novel, but at the same time the story is multi-layered and complex. Many issues are dealt with - family secrets, illness, guilt, grief, environmentalism, restless ghosts, and more that I don't want to spoil for readers. The young protagonist, Trevor, was a compelling character who speaks as though he's wise beyond his years, but you find out why at the end.The language in this book was gorgeous and descriptive. I could easily picture the crumbling Riddell mansion (a character itself) and the majestic forest surrounding it. I really enjoyed listening to this on audiobook. Narrator Seth Numrich did a great job with the many different characters, each one sounding distinct. When he did the voice of Trevor's father, he sounded a bit like Keanu Reeves, which I liked. ;-)
I'd definitely recommend A SUDDEN LIGHT to readers who enjoy family sagas, ghosts, and coming of age stories. 4.5 Stars!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
Ghosts, secrets, and a dysfunctional family – what's not to love?
While I enjoyed the author's The Art of Racing in the Rain, I didn't love it but decided to get this one a try anyway. The seems The Art is a more popular book, but I liked this one better.
A 14-year old kid has to go with his father
Sure, Clever Trevor, the kid, sometimes seemed too old and too wise for his 14 years. Yes, there were too many convenient happenings in the story, hidden places and things too easily found.
Trevor, the narrator, has a good heart and a mission of his own:
“But I understood two things: first, somewhere along the way, my father had gone wrong and my mother stopped loving him; second, I could fix him. I could pull him together. And I believed that, by the end of the summer, if I did my job right, I could deliver my father to my mother as if he were a regular, loving person, like when she first met him.”
That's a pretty big calling for a 14-year old. He was so likable – everyone else, not so much.
The grandfather was quite a character, sometimes there mentally and sometimes not. And his daughter had a habit of putting him in not-quite-PC t-shirts with sayings like “GOD WAS MY COPILOT...BUT WE CRASHED IN THE MOUNTAINS AND I HAD TO EAT HIM.”
There was even a bit of wisdom. When writing about people who want everything convenient and easy, “They wanted well-lit, even pathways so children and elders wouldn't trip and skin a knee or break a hip. And they didn't realize they were raising a generation of children who could only walk on level ground. The pathfinders of the world, henceforth, would be confinded to the pre-paved paths.”
While this book won't go down in history as one of the world's great novels, it was quite engaging, especially for those among us who like both ghost stories and reading about dysfunctional families.
I was given a copy of this book for review, but checked the quotes against a published edition.
While I enjoyed the author's The Art of Racing in the Rain, I didn't love it but decided to get this one a try anyway. The seems The Art is a more popular book, but I liked this one better.
A 14-year old kid has to go with his father
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to a musty old mansion and and the musty old grandfather who lived there, all so dead dad could sell off the house, against the wishes of former family, all for money. Dad is goaded on by his sister, Serena, ol' Grandpa's caregiver. The ghosts had something to say about the plan. It doesn't take us long to know that the outwardly sweet Serena is a manipulative and rather nasty piece of work.Sure, Clever Trevor, the kid, sometimes seemed too old and too wise for his 14 years. Yes, there were too many convenient happenings in the story, hidden places and things too easily found.
Trevor, the narrator, has a good heart and a mission of his own:
“But I understood two things: first, somewhere along the way, my father had gone wrong and my mother stopped loving him; second, I could fix him. I could pull him together. And I believed that, by the end of the summer, if I did my job right, I could deliver my father to my mother as if he were a regular, loving person, like when she first met him.”
That's a pretty big calling for a 14-year old. He was so likable – everyone else, not so much.
The grandfather was quite a character, sometimes there mentally and sometimes not. And his daughter had a habit of putting him in not-quite-PC t-shirts with sayings like “GOD WAS MY COPILOT...BUT WE CRASHED IN THE MOUNTAINS AND I HAD TO EAT HIM.”
There was even a bit of wisdom. When writing about people who want everything convenient and easy, “They wanted well-lit, even pathways so children and elders wouldn't trip and skin a knee or break a hip. And they didn't realize they were raising a generation of children who could only walk on level ground. The pathfinders of the world, henceforth, would be confinded to the pre-paved paths.”
While this book won't go down in history as one of the world's great novels, it was quite engaging, especially for those among us who like both ghost stories and reading about dysfunctional families.
I was given a copy of this book for review, but checked the quotes against a published edition.
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LibraryThing member horomnizon
It took me a while to get into this story, but I was pretty hooked halfway in. And then there was the ending. Not that it didn't fit or make sense - it did...but that doesn't mean I have to like it. No, it didn't totally ruin the book, but it didn't make me like it any better.
If you don't like
The book was OK. As popular as The Art of Racing in the Rain was, it surprised me that I didn't see this book by Stein going out of my public library more. I can see where it might not appeal to some readers, but it still was a decent read and there's plenty to discuss as far as a book club pick.
If you don't like
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ghost stories, this isn't for you. The 14-year old narrator learns much of his family's shady past from the ghost of an ancestor. And it is faith and belief in this afterlife that is important to his father's redemption story. This is a majorly dysfunctional family - generation after generation - and the future is in the boy's hands. The book was OK. As popular as The Art of Racing in the Rain was, it surprised me that I didn't see this book by Stein going out of my public library more. I can see where it might not appeal to some readers, but it still was a decent read and there's plenty to discuss as far as a book club pick.
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LibraryThing member Jthierer
Enjoyed this significantly more than Art of Racing in the Rain
LibraryThing member Bricker
An absolutely beautiful book about the dynamic of families and their history, present and future. A tale of integrity to one's self and to attoning for mistakes. The way the author added a supernatural aspect while also including present day issues was very well done. I was expecting a twist at the
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end, and wasn't disappointed, but it was quite different than what I thought it would be. An absolute pleasure of a read! Show Less
Awards
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — October 2014)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — 2014)
Pages
416
ISBN
1439187037 / 9781439187036