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

You won't be disappointed!

Narrator was perfect for the story. I was sorry the journey Garth Stein took me on had to end, but I am different having taken it. Gripping and poignant, the story is masterfully written. I just discovered Garth Stein, but now I can't wait to read his other works.

Liked the story

Ghost stories are always fun. This one was no exception. I read it at first bc I like the reader Seth Numrich, but glad I chose it for the story.

very enjoyable!!

loved it! super entertaining. great plot and narration. the narrator did great with all of the characters

Excellent narration

Extremely enjoyed hearing Seth Numrich tell the story
Reading it myself wouldn't have compared

Brilliant!

I'm a fan of Garth Stein and the agony of the anticipation is always worth the wait for the next book to be released! I thought this story was brilliantly written as well as perfectly narrated. Stories within a story, engaging characters, provoking thought with words of deep wisdom which you will probably run backward for a harder 2nd listen. And Trevor, wise beyond his years, a grand lead character. he keeps you so engaged you never want it to end. Thank you Garth! What's next? Every book has been so different, there is alot of heart and soul in his style.

really enjoyed listening to this book.

I was captured by the story and couldn't wait to continue it each time I had to turn it off.

Stein is in the top ten of my favorite writers

Fascinating story, cannot put down. Stein has such an unusual writing style, he takes you with him into amazing world of mystery, human emotion and action

Good Listen

Garth Stein holds you till the end!! I read "The Art Of Racing in The Rain" several years ago and loved it! This books holds your attention and you just can't stop listening. Looking forward to Garth Steins next book.

Interesting read.

The women voices should have been read by women.
It was a bit unbelievable that a the family would not sell the property because of the wishes of a ghost.
Also using words like faith and quotes from the bible, "my peace I give unto you" when talking about ghosts seemed irreverent.

An intricate story of redemption and faith.

It is beautifully written . The narration is perfect. Indeed, we are all connected.