Review
Make the Dark Night Shine, by Alan Lessik, is an evocative and intricately woven narrative that transports readers to the shores of Constantinople through the eyes of Kenzo Uchida, a Japanese foreign ambassador. Set against the backdrop of the interwar period, the novel captures Kenzo's incredible transformation, as he navigates a complex web of love, loss, friendship, and an unexpected career shift. Lessik's prose is rich and rhythmic, creating an almost lyrical quality that enhances the storytelling.
The novel unfolds as a recollection to Kenzo's daughter, unknown to him, providing a deeply personal perspective on a turbulent historical era. Characters vividly recount their experiences of the First World War, setting the stage for the impending Second World War. Kenzo, along with his advisor and partner Mitsu, discovers a life starkly different from their homeland upon their arrival in Constantinople. The narrative details their adjustment to foreign customs, aided by their new acquaintances Gul and Elisa, a refugee with aspirations of high society. As the story progresses to Paris and edges closer to another war, the lives of these characters gradually unravel, depicting the subtle yet unstoppable forces of change. The novel explores themes of destiny and decision-making, emphasizing the belief that while we cannot control life's trajectory, we can have faith in our choices. Family dynamics, both by choice and by bloodline, are central to the narrative, underscoring the interconnectedness of life. Lessik's novel is a masterful blend of personal journey and historical context while maintaining an uplifting spirit even in its darker moments.
Make the Dark Night Shine is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a poignant and thoughtful reflection on life's complexities. Its narrative never feels hurried or overwrought, but rather presents an honest account of one man's journey through a life marked by both privilege and challenges. This book is a compelling read, offering insights that resonate well beyond its final page.
Gold Medal Winner, Literary Titan
About the Author
Based in Berlin, Alan Lessik is a novelist and writer, Zen practitioner, amateur figure skater, and Queer activist. He is a member of the Berlin Queer Writers Circle.
His second novel, Make the Dark Night Shine, was published by Rebel Satori Press in October 2023 and was awarded the Gold Medal by Literary Titan and the Silver Medal for LGBTQ Novels by the Global Book Awards.
His debut novel, The Troubleseeker (Chelsea Station Editions), was short-listed for the Publishing Triangle's 2017 Ferro-Grumley Award for LGBTQ Fiction. Alan's non-fiction works and essays have been published by Lambda Literary, the Bay Area Reporter, KQED Perspectives, the Advocate, San Francisco Bay Guardian, and Frontiers Newsmagazine. For four years, he served on the Board of the LGBTQ Caucus of Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP). Recently, he was a guest on the Wrote Podcast, and Andrew. G. Marshall's The Meaningful Life. His KQED Radio Perspective, "Judge Not His Death" was one of the most commented on in 2014.
Alan received Jukai from in 2013 at the San Francisco Zen Center and was an active member of the Center´s Queer Dharma team. He was a teacher at the SF LGBTQ Sangha. Alan is currently leading the Queer Meditation Group at the Village in Berlin and is a member of the Black Mountain Zen Centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
