Review: The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors by Michele Young-Stone
by Jenners • 06/10/2010 • 4 Stars, Contemporary, Fiction, H Titles, Y Authors • 23 Comments
The Handbook for Lightning Strike SurvivorsShaye Areheart Books, 2010
ISBN: 978-0307464477
384 pages
Genre: Fiction
My rating: 4 stars
Story Overview
Becca Burke is first struck by lightning at the age of 8. Unfortunately, she is alone when it happens, and, because she is relatively unharmed, her parents doubt whether it actually happened. Yet though she is physically unharmed, the lightning strike changes Becca in mysterious ways–watches break or run backwards when she wears them, halos of light appear around her in photographs. Becca does her best to continue on, yet her family life becomes increasingly difficult as her father’s affairs and her mother’s drinking rip the family apart. As she grows older (and experiences a second lightning strike), the loss of her family, estrangement from her best friend, and her inability to be open to love lead Becca to the tortured life of an artist in New York City, complete with doomed love affairs and too much drinking. When a series of paintings inspired by lightning strikes ignites her painting career, it also leads her to another lost soul tortured by lightning … Buckley R. Pitank.
Buckley’s life is an endless loop of being bullied and teased. His home life is hardly a respite. His beloved mother is the only support he has, yet they are trapped living with his bitter and nasty grandmother. When Buckley inadvertently brings an evangelical preacher into their lives (who is really just looking for good home cooking and a place to stay), Buckley’s life seems to settle into an endless cycle of despair and gloom. But his mother–in a heroic act of will and rebellion–realizes they must escape if they are ever going to have a chance of happiness. Stealing away in the middle of the night, Buckley and his mother settle in Galveston, Texas, where they build a new life that seems filled with the possibility of happiness and love. Then tragedy strikes, and everything Buckley holds dear is ripped away. Returning to his grandmother’s home as penance for his survival, Buckley writes The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors (excerpts of which are scattered throughout the book). Eventually, his journey brings him to New York City, where a chance encounter with Becca’s paintings draw him into her orbit.
As their lives become more closely intertwined, lightning (inevitably) strikes once again … and leads to unexpected consequences.
My Thoughts
I know you’re probably thinking “Well just go tell us the entire story, why don’t you?” Believe me when I tell you that knowing the outlines of the story doesn’t give you even a hint of the depth of Young-Stone’s writing. She effortlessly moves from character to character–allowing the reader to inhabit their interior lives for a time. Aside from following Becca and Buckley’s stories, we also venture into the mind of other characters, including Becca’s depressed and drunken mother, Becca’s philandering father, a young drug addict, and Buckley’s newly empowered mother. Young-Stone manages to create an almost dream-like reading experience. This is the type of book where you can know what is going to happen, but getting there is what makes the journey so worthwhile.
This is Young-Stone’s debut novel, and I was very impressed with the sophistication of her writing. Instead of telling you about a character, you get to inhabit their world for a while. I think this is difficult to pull off by even the most seasoned writers, yet Young-Stone manages it in her very first “at bat.” If you are the type of reader who seeks out new authors, this is one author who should make your list. I think she has a true gift, and I’m excited to see what she does in the future.
I was curious about why lightning featured so prominently in the book, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that Young-Stone herself was a lightning strike survivor. I imagine this type of experience would affect you deeply, and learning this tidbit about the author gave the book even more of an air of authenticity. Lightning strikes was an interesting way to connect the stories of Becca and Buckley, and the inclusion of the excerpts from Buckley’s book provide the reader with a wealth of information about lighting strikes and those who have survived them.
Yet Young-Stone’s writing is so powerful that she could have dispensed with the lightning motif and the book would have been just as good because ultimately, this is a book about people … people who are damaged, lost, and trying to find love and happiness. Young-Stone does a brilliant job of creating realistic and touching journeys for all the characters–both major and minor–and I loved that she provided one of my favorite ending devices (a “where are they now” wrap-up … you just don’t get this enough, I think) that answered any lingering questions I had about the fate of the various characters I met throughout the book.
The Bottom Line
A wonderful debut from a writer who has true talent. Reading this book is like entering a dream-like state where you journey into the interior worlds of both the major and minor characters. Definitely recommended.
The Whys and the Wheres
I read this book because of this review by Rebecca at The Book Lady’s Blog. I was lucky enough to obtain a PDF copy of the book from NetGalley due to the generosity of the Crown Publishing Group.
To find out what other bloggers are saying about the book discussed in this post, visit the Book Blogs Search Engine.
Such an interesting premise. There was that movie with John Travolta (ages ago) that dealt with a lightening strike survivor but it was really goofy. This author's novel sounds much more plausible.
I LOVED this book. Great review, you really capture the books awesomeness!
I had my eye on this one a while back but then forgot about it until now.
oooooh! your review is so great!!! I read this book awhile back and reviewed it ~ loving it too! You're right Young-Stone has a depth to her writing rarely seen in debut authors. If I had not already read the book I would read it now thanks to your fantastic review!
I've never heard of this either, but it looks really interesting. I live in Florida which is known as the lightning capital of the world. People have died from lightning strikes when it was a sunny clear day.
I've not heard of this book, either, but it sounds like a good one. I think I saw it at the bookstore the other day. I am going to add it to my list. Currently reading "Club Rules" by somebody with the last name of Trees. I love it. molly
I have this sitting on my computer, too, and I really want to read it. Thing is, when a book is on my computer, I kinda forget about it.
Ooh, I just got this from a blogging buddy today and you've made me even more excited about it!
With a title like that, it's hard to pass this one by without a second glance. It sounds like a great story and I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jenners.
Sounds like a strong debut for this author. I'm adding it to my list to check out in the future.
Sounds very good. I loved the lightning strike stories in The Survivor's Club; it's such an amazing thing, and opens the door to all kinds of plot possibilities.
This sounds really good to me!! My daughter read a series revolving around a lightning strike survivor several years ago and really enjoyed it. Maybe I should invest in this one for both of us to read.
This sounds like a difficult book to summarize, so props to you for doing so! I really like the title (shallow, I suppose?) and how fascinating that the author is also a survivor of lightning strikes.
Well, I for one am very thankful that you give such a comprehensive outline of the story….it made it so much easier to put the book on my list o'books to get.
First I heard of this book (how can I read so many blogs and yet miss these things?) but it sounds intriguing…I love the lightning connection, mostly because I hate thunder and lightning SO much.
This sounds really interesting, thanks for the recommendation.
much love martine
"entering a dream-like state" = total and utter awesomeness. This definitely sounds like a book I will have to pick up.
"Instead of telling you about a character – you get to inhabit their world for a while" — I LOVE these kinds of books which allow me to truly marvel at the author's writing ability.
I have not yet tried net galley — I have no idea what my hangup is. Did you find the site easy to use?
A strike survivor herself – maybe there is something in the story then. Sounds like an impressive read, to be added to my wish list for sure.
Great review!!! I had many of the exact same feelings when I read it!
This has been getting rave reviews from bloggers. I plan to give it a shot one of these days (in that copious free time I don't have).
That's so interesting that she's a lightening-strike survivor herself. I can hardly imagine going through an experience like that. I remember I became interested in reading more books that dealt with that after reading Alice Hoffman's fabulous The Ice Queen, so I'll keep this one in mind.
I have seen this mentioned on twitter a lot recently. Everyone seems to be raving about it.
If I spot a copy in my library then I'll pick up a copy