Lisa, Bright and Dark [Hardcover]

John Neufeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1968

Hailed as a "work of art" by the New York Times, this bestselling classic brings a deft touch and understanding spirit to the story of a teenage girl's descent into madness-and the three friends who are determined to walk with her where adults fear to tread.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

"I always wanted to be a writer. I started writing early, and badly, sending off short stories to national magazines when I was ten or eleven. They were all returned.

"But I kept at it. All through high school and college. Everything I sent out came back. Thanks but no thanks.

"I moved to New York and worked in a publishing house. I kept writing. In fact, I was fired from my first job for spending more time on my own projects than on the publishing house's.

"I wrote on.

"In 1968, an editor from a small California publishing house and I had lunch. She gave me an outline for a story she thought I could write well. I knew immediately I had to try.

"But what I wanted to do was write a short book, full of emotion and detail and excitement, for readers of all ages. I didn't know that Edgar Allan would be regarded as a children's book. "It was.

"And when it was, everything fell into place. The minute Edgar Allan was launched successfully, I sat down to write Lisa, Bright And Dark. It, too, was a success so there was no turning back. Although I do write books for adults, the ideas that stimulate me always seem to come to me in the form of a story for young readers. I get ideas from everywhere: from the newspapers, from radio, from lunches and talks I have with friends.

"Right now, if I never get another idea, I have more story lines to work on than my lifetime probably permits."

Both Edgar Allan and Lisa, Bright And Dark, were selected as among the Best Books of the Year by the New York Times. Lisa, Bright And Dark was filmed for television, and aired as a Hallmark Hall of Fame on NBC-TV. Mr. Neufeld's other books have as recently as this spring (2000) been cited as among the best of last year's Young Adult titles by the New York Public Library and YASLA.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: S G Phillips (June 1968)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087599153X
• ISBN-13: 978-0875991535
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,622,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Neufeld was born in Chicago, educated at Phillips Exeter and Yale, worked in publishing 1962-1969 when LISA,BRIGHT AND DARK was published (after EDGAR ALLAN).
He lives in Connecticut and is the author of more than a dozen children's and adult novels. He is a teacher as well as NPR commentator. Neufeldauthor.wordpress.com is his blog.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a realistic look into mental illness, September 23, 2005

By 

Brandy C (Newport News, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lisa, Bright and Dark (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book as a pre-teen, as I was beginning to deal with severe juvenile depression. The dark feelings and fear described in the book are real and impossibly unbearable, especially for a child. Some may believe that the material is dated (the terminology is less than PC), however, adults are still reluctant to acknowledge that children/teens experience mental illness. The book helped me to realize that I was neither "crazy" nor alone at a time when my teachers and parents labeled me as shy and typically moody. This book has stayed with me all these years, and I would recommend it to anyone who is dealing with childhood emotional issues or a child with emotional issues. As a current mental health professional, I keep several copies on hand for at-risk children and families.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lisa Bright and Dark, May 9, 2001

By 

"cateran" (Howard County, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lisa, Bright and Dark (Mass Market Paperback)

Lisa Bright and Dark is the tear-jerking tale of Lisa Shillings' descent into madness. This was one of those books that stops and makes you think about how awful it must be to be slowly going insane while the only people who carry enough about you to do anything are your friends while your parents lay back and do nothing. It hurts me to think that anyone should not only have to suffer the pain of not being "sane" but also of having your family not give a damn whether or not you live or die. This book really stirred up a lot of emotions for me not only because I know quite a bit about psychology but also because I know that Lisa's parents and teachers had the power to help her but instead left it up to her friends. I really think that Neufeld does an excellent job of making you pity Lisa. Even though this book is set in the 1960's it is still just as meaningful now, almost 40 years later, as it was then. The part of this book that made me feel the most emotion is the fact that even though Lisa told her parents she was going mad they did nothing, nothing at all. This sort of made me realize how much easier people growing up now have it. Even if your parents don't seem to listen or care about your mental health there are places online and hotlines where you can get help. I totally felt Lisa's pain, not the pain of going mad but the pain of having those closest to you not believe you. If you don't read this book you are really cheating yourself out of one of the most influential pieces of literature written this century. Even if you don't read this book for yourself read it for the Lisas of the world.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review, October 31, 2001

By 

Mr.Francesco Raphael Galardo of the Catskills (Catskill, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lisa, Bright and Dark (Mass Market Paperback)

Lisa, Bright and Dark by John Neufeld is a great book to read and enjoy. It lets you in on the journey of someone who is moving slowly towards the world of madness.

Lisa Shilling is experiencing mental problems of which seem to put her as an outcast at school. Some of her closest friends, Mary Nell, Betsy and Elizabeth realize that there is a problem. They seek to find answers in their own "group therapy" everyday after school. Although the students see that Lisa has a problem, Lisa's parents deny the facts that are given to them.

Through out the book Lisa makes situations worse just to try to prove it to her parents that she needs help. Many of the other adults know what's going on because of the involvement of their kids, but find it best to stay out of it. Lisa's parents finally give in to the problem after Lisa hurts herself another time. They agree to seek help and things start to turn around for the better.

The author did a good job showing that sometimes parents don't want to understand but if you push hard enough they will give in. Great details get you involved with the realistic situation and can allow you to think about these issues. This is a wonderful book if you want to experience new uncommon issues.