Northern Lights

A Novel

By: Raymond Strom

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

A stunning debut novel set in the late 1990s as an androgynous youth arrives in small-town Minnesota searching for the mother who abandoned him as a child.

On a clear morning in the summer of 1997, Shane Stephenson arrives in Holm, Minnesota, with only a few changes of clothes, an old Nintendo, and a few dollars to his name. Reeling from the death of his father, Shane wants to find the mother who abandoned him as an adolescent - hoping to reconnect, but also to better understand himself. Against the backdrop of Minnesota's rugged wilderness and a town littered with shuttered shops, graffiti, and crumbling infrastructure, Holm feels wild and dangerous.

Holm's residents, too, are wary of outsiders, and Shane's long, blond hair and androgynous looks draw attention from a violent and bigoted contingent in town, including the unhinged Sven Svenson. He is drawn in by a group of sympathetic friends in their teens and early 20s, all similarly lost and frequent drug users: the reckless, charming J and his girlfriend, Mary; Jenny, a brilliant and beautiful artist who dreams of escaping Holm; and the mysterious loner Russell, with whom Shane, against his better judgment, feels a strange attraction.

As Sven's threats of violence escalate, Shane is forced to choose between his search for his mother, the first true friendships he's ever had, and a desire to leave both his past and present behind entirely.

At its core, Northern Lights is the story of a son searching for his mother, and for a connection with her, dealing with issues of abandonment and forgiveness. But it also addresses the complications, tensions, and dysfunction that can exist in those relationships, presenting an unforgettable world and experience often overlooked, with a new kind of hero to admire.

©2019 Raymond Strom (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Brilliant

Wonderfully narrated, tragic and brilliantly written. I would certainly appreciate a follow novel to give me some closure regarding Russell.

excellent narration

Not what I expected, but overall a well written and heart wrenching story. the narration is one ofthe best I've heard on audible.

Great Book

The book was well written with lots of excitement following the life of young Shane.

Meh

The narrator had a good voice for this story. The book itself was very depressing but an easy listen none the less. The reviews saying they hated it because of the drug use when it is a book about drug use seem unfair to me.

Wish there was more closure

The story ended with such a large opening for more and so many unanswered questions.

Depressing

The drugs have gotten to me. I’m 3.5 hours into this book, and I am giving up. I understand the abandonment entirely, but I don’t get the drugs. I can't relate to the self-destruction. I believe the performance is the reason I kept hoping this story would have a redeeming twist. I can not listen to this train wreck anymore.

no thanks

If you like sad walks in hell, this is for you.. depressing and need counseling.

Terrible

I kept thinking that it had to get better but it never did. Don’t waste your time. Terrible.

Couldn’t finish.

Disturbing and sad. Didn’t want to go any further. I hope someone finds value in this story

Bad narration

It was an ok story at best. but listening to it was a real struggle.