A Sudden Light

A Novel

By: Garth Stein

Narrated by: Seth Numrich

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

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 best-selling phenomenon The Art of Racing in the Rain.

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 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.

©2014 Garth Stein (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

Compelling!

I listened to this title because it is another story narrated by Seth Numrich - I was not at all disappointed! The story line captured me and I could not stop listening. It even had me in tears!

Great story for long walks

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The gentleman who read it did a great job with all the different voices of the characters. And it was pretty captivating while I was outside walking my cat. 🐾

Just okay

I was not as enthusiastic about this as others. The story kept me engaged, but was at times predictable. I chose this as Seth is on of my favorite narrators. There were a few annoying things in the story I had to look past, such as how the siblings referred to each other. But all in all a decent book.

A wonderful story that comes full circle

Family history. Family legacy. The love of nature. Flawed human beings. Coming of age. True love. And ghosts. It’s all here. Beautiful narration.

Great Narration

This was an excellent story. Best narration I have heard. It might possibly have made the audio version better than reading it myself.

Another incredible book From Garth Stein.

I was hooked from beginning to the end. Story and narration were superb. l am looking forward to hearing more from this talented Northwest author.

An engaging, rich story, well told.

I love the metaphysical energy and Seattle history embedded throughout this fantastic story that is dark and yet filled with light. Garth Stein once again demonstrates his incredible skill as a storyteller. The reader provided an infectiously rich, engaging performance, bringing the characters to life with inflection and appropriate vocal changes.
So much here for deep discussion for a book club. But, read it for yourself because it was written for you.

Amazing!

I was skeptical that I would enjoy this as much as Racing In The Rain, how can an author top that one? But he did such a good job with another strong narration, with things to grapple with along the lines of spiritualism and after-life, as well as a big mystery to unravel. I listened to it in a weekend because I kept making excuses to listen while I gardened rested and more! Bravo to Garth Stein!

Everything I wanted in a ghost story

This is really a hidden gem. If your a fan of The haunting of Hill House, or Stephen King this is for you.

Incredible

This is an amazing story, well crafted with exquisite prose, mystery and insightful glances into the psyche.