A Northern Light

By: Jennifer Donnelly

Narrated by: Hope Davis

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Mattie Gokey has a word for everything. She collects words, stores them up as a way of fending off the hard truths of her life, the truths that she can't write down in stories.

The fresh pain of her mother's death. The burden of raising her sisters while her father struggles over his brokeback farm. The mad welter of feelings Mattie has for handsome but dull Royal Loomis, who says he wants to marry her. And the secret dreams that keep her going: visions of finishing high school, going to college in New York City, becoming a writer.

Yet when the drowned body of a young woman turns up at the hotel where Mattie works, all her words are useless. But in the dead woman's letters, Mattie again finds her voice, and a determination to live her own life.

Set in 1906 against the backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, this coming-of-age novel effortlessly weaves romance, history and a murder mystery into something moving, and real, and wholly original.

©2003 Jennifer Donnelly (P)2003 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint Of Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"Donnelly's characters ring true to life, and the meticulously described setting forms a vivid backdrop to this finely crafted story. An outstanding choice for historical-fiction fans." (School Library Journal)
"In an intelligent, colloquial voice that speaks with a writer's love of language and an observant eye, Mattie details the physical particulars of people's lives as well as deeper issues of race, class, and gender...Many teens will connect with Mattie's deep yearning for independence and for stories, like her own, that are frank, messy, complicated, and inspiring." (Booklist)

a northern light

This is the best book I have listened to in years. Would like to hear more of her stories.

Good listen

I loved this book. It has enough mystery and intrigue to keep the adult listenter interested, but is also suitable for the younger listener as well. Highly enjoyable.

Excellent !

A wonderful coming-of-age story incorporating a true-life crime as a backdrop. Hope Davis reads this beautifully.

Gilded Age Honesty

This was a great story, historical fiction set in a wonderful and realistic Adirondack setting. Truly enjoyable.

Enjoyed A Northern Light Immensely

I raced through this book. Donnelly has a lovely writing style and I'll be looking into her other books. The narration is excellent.

An Adirondack Story

What did you like best about this story?

I love the Adirondacks, and this is a great Adorondack story, both capturing the history and the essence of the area..

Which character ??? as performed by Hope Davis ??? was your favorite?

Mattie Gokey is the lead character. She would have to be the favorite character, Her friend Weaver complements her in many ways and is also a well developed character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Mattie finds out that her family is sick and finds them all in very poor condition was one of the most moving sections of the book.

phenomenal read

a moving story about true events and challenges in life that hold true, then, today and always. life is what you make of it

Moving story

Excellent story, writing, characters and terrific narration from one of my faves, Hope Davis.

enjoyable

This book was a little hard to get into at first, but I found it enjoyable after the first hour or so. I also felt like a lot of the story was a rip off of Little Women and Anne of Green Gables. Even so, it was still a good read.

Prequel to Jane Austen's "Persuasion"

An intelligent, thoughtful, warm, caring treatise on life, promises and possiblities.