The Memory of Light

Author: Francisco X. Stork
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: 2016
Pages: 325

The Story begins when Vicky wakes up after trying to kill herself. She can't find anything worth living for in her life and so she is determined to commit the suicide again. But then she meets Mona, Gabriel, E.M. and Dr. Desai at Lakeview hospital where she is supposed to stay until she feels better. These people will share with her about their hardships and will offer a friendly hand to her. And Vicky may eventually be able to see the values of her life...

"There were moments of light in the past three weeks when I could see a future, moments of laughter and belonging and courage. But all I can feel right now is that someone turned on a light just long enough for me to see what I could never have, so that it would hurt me even more than if I had never seen it."

I have been looking forward to this book a whole year before it has been published. And it was such a great feeling to finally had it in my hands. I just couldn't wait to read it so I delved myself into this book even before finishing the one I had been reading by that time I'd gotten it. There is certainly something about Francisco X. Stork's writing style that makes me covet after his words. I've found the greatest pleasure at reading his books. They are so powerful, profound and beautiful. And I've learnt so much from them...


"The rocks are everywhere. You have to dig around them without getting pissed at them. I expect the rocks to be there. Sometimes I think they're put there on purpose so I can learn not to be angry about them."

There are days when I am very emotional about life and sometimes I am upset or mad about things I can't change. But books by Francisco X. Stork always return the lost harmony and tranquility to me for which I am extremely grateful. He usually writes about serious topics and The Memory of Light is kind of a really sad story but it's written in such a gentle way that I've found it somehow romantic. It's just like that with all of his books, they are like the life itself - harsh things are happening inside of them but they are still incredibly beautiful.

In this book Francisco X. Stork says that if someone goes through some struggles during his life, then he is more sensitive and empathetic about which I really agree with him. And while I feel extremely sorry for the things he had to go through, I think it's absolutely amazing that he decided to share his experiences and views with others even though it had to be really hard to write about it. His books really give you feeling that you are not alone and you can always find hope in them which is just the most precious thing you can receive from a literature...

PS: In case you've missed it on my blog, here you can read an interview with Francisco X. Stork and learn a little bit more about him. Because he's not just a talented author but also a really nice and inspirational person...

Ratings: 5/5

Comments

  1. Krásné sobotní ráno, Veru. Už dlouho vím, jak oblíbený u Tebe Francisco X. Stork je, ale tenhle Tvůj krásný text mě přiměl konečně po nějaké z jeho knih sáhnout. Nejraději po této, byť nebyla přeložena. Snad se k ní brzy dostanu, zní to jako neuvěřitelné čtení. Děkuji Ti a přeji příjemný víkend. Měj se krásně :)

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  2. Ahoj Verunko,od tohoto autora jsem jeste nic necetla,ale tato kniha mne laka, jak obsahem , tak nadhernou obalkou :-)Preji krasny vikend:-) Jana

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  3. Nádherná recenze jako vždy, Veru :) Myslím, že i Francisco, když čte Tvé texty musí být velmi potěšen :) přečetla jsem si rovněž zmíněný rozhovor a zdá se, že je to opravdu výjimečný člověk. Líbí se mi, jaký spolu máte vřelý vztah. Jak už jsem Ti psala, chystám se příští měsíc na Marcela a už se nemohu dočkat. :)
    Krásný den

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