Customer Reviews

The Language of Light: A Novel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I went into this one thinking I would like it, and came out the other end in a state that closely resembled purring. It has a light, lovely feel to it, with a sense of things that matter, delicately drawn.

Written with a sure hand, both language and milieu.

I read this book when it first came out, and recently found myself picking it up again. I can not say enough wonderful comments about this reading experience. The writing style has you believeing you are sitting there, experiencing life as in the writing, experiencing the rain drops on the windshield, compelling and really did not want the story to end. This is a MUST read.

The Language of Light takes us into the world of a widowed mother and aspiring photojournalist in her struggle to answer the disparate callings of parenthood, love, and devotion to her art. Nelly Grace's relationship with her deceased husband haunts her. She loved him deeply, but he seemed to dismiss her photography as merely a hobby. Nelly wrestles with guilt over her passion to pursue her creative impetus. Her children need her. If she follows the calling of the photographer's voice within her, will she follow in the footsteps of her too often absent father? What would allowing herself to become involved with the charming and enigmatic Dac Crofton mean to her art and her life? The Language of Light frames the universal question of self-expression in a tender and compelling narrative about one woman's journey. Finally, it is to herself-a self she is only beginning to know-that Nelly is true.

A novel about what it means to find yourself as an artist, as a mother and as a daughter. Nelly's struggles to define herself in the rambling horse country of Maryland (and through photography) were as riveting and as luminous as a photograph shot through with light. I didn't want the novel to end, and found myself reading slower and slower as I approached the final pages. Wonderful!

What a journey into one woman's life--her heart, her soul, her desires, her loves, her confusions and her resolutions. I feel as though I have been on a vacation from my life, by stepping directly into Nell Grace's world. Clayton's writing is so genuine and descriptive. I felt for all her characters within the pages of "The Language of Light." I was touched and I thank Meg Clayton for writing so descriptively about human internal beliefs, intuitions, rights of passage, self expression, and friendship. I walk away with a deeper understanding that to find fulfilling meaning in our lives we must first believe in ourselves.

A beautifully written, heartwarming story of a young woman coming into her own. At its core, this novel is a thought-provoking exploration of the ways we love one another--daughters and fathers, mothers and sons, husbands and wives--and the misunderstandings, misssteps, and intrigues that can result.

I picked this book up randomly at one of the closing Border's bookstores. I was drawn to it because it contained 2 of my most favorite things: photography & horses. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book during my lunch hours (when I read the most). I liked what one reviewer said: it had a nice light, loving feeling to it. The struggle that Nelly endured to move forward in her life with childhood passions while trying to make sense of her past with her late husband and her father is real and palpable. Well written and touched the heart and soul.

I enjoyed this book very much. There were countless moments I had to scratch down little quotations from it here or there. Ms. Clayton has a wonderful way with words, and made this very hard to step away from. I recommend it to anyone, especially if you are an artist (of any trade) for the emotion behind her words truly hits home.

The Language of Light is a perfect curl-up-on-the-sofa and spend a rainy day reading kind of book! The characters feel as real as good friends, and I loved the glimpse into the world it portrays. Best of all, the writing is lovely!

There are many books out there describing the relationships of women with common interests (knitting, quilting, writing) or common life experiences. The author's Wednesday Sisters is one of those. The Language of Light focuses on the relationship of a younger, thirty something, woman and her children with an older,seventh something, woman. As the friendship develops you are aware of the age difference, but it doesn't seem to matter to how the characters interact. Meg Waite Clayton adds a bit of mystery and at the end leaves you to your own conclusions regarding the situation.

As a seventy something woman, I have a few friends that are much younger. These women enrich my life, keep me current in this fast changing world, and we often exchange advice. I treasure their friendships.