I recently read Concentr8 by William Sutcliffe (which is also an amazing book) but I wasn’t entirely sure why I’d requested that from the Guardian children’s books team. The same has to be said for The Light That Gets Lost; it’s a book I wouldn’t ever go for immediately in a bookshop, and yet I requested it anyway. However, I’m pleased to say that I have thoughts on it, mostly mixed but mainly positive, which is a good thing!
Trey stands watching through the gap in his wardrobe, where he hides for safety. Through the gap, he wishes he didn’t see what happened but he heard, and that’s all that matters; he’s just witnessed his mother, brother and father all be murdered in their own home. Years later, Trey ends up a camp designed for troubled teens (though he did commit arson at his last foster home) but he knows he’s not there because he’s troubled, he’s there to find out the truth and finally get revenge.
Occasionally you’ll read a book that makes you think quite a lot. Probably more than you should. When you first pick up The Light That Gets Lost, it’s not a book you expect to be a bag of laughs, nor is it one you expect to cry during it for five chapters straight. But it is a thought-provoking novel.
The back of the copy I received described it as ‘perfect for fans of Patrick Ness and Siobham Dowd’ and I can wholeheartedly second that. I’m not a reader of Siobham Dowd, but I am a Patrick Ness reader and I can tell you that Natasha Carthew’s style of writing in this book is completely on point with the way Patrick Ness writes his novels too.
If you’re put off this book thinking you’re going to cry, you’re not but I think that’s a good thing. The fact that this book has been designed so you won’t cry is pretty good going, seeing as three people die in the first few pages of this book. Less description might be key to that though, which is of course never a nice thing, but on this rare occasion it might have been for the best.
Trey, the main character of the novel, is helped by many mysterious figures and I appreciate how difficult it must have been for Natasha to write dialogue from characters that can’t actually talk standard English! It shows to me a clear level of dedication and attention to detail through the work that she has put into this novel.
I wouldn’t describe this book as containing a relationship, so really it’s up to you whether you think one happens in the end.
I think I’ve made this book sound overall slightly confusing, and I do apologise for that! However, at times it is pretty confusing, so do be prepared for that.
Whilst I wouldn’t urge everyone to go RIGHT NOW to a bookshop and go buy it, I would encourage anyone looking for an intriguing read or something they’re not quite used to reading to go pick up a copy of this. Plus, it’s out now too so everyone gets to enjoy the story whenever they like!
- Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
