We Are the Light: A Novel

The subject of this novel is the aftermath of a tragic mass shooting and the impact the shooting has on a small town. One man, Lucas, attempts to find healing for himself and his community. Lucas is a guidance counselor at the town's high school, enjoying a pleasant night out with his wife. They had gone to their small town's movie theater, and many of their friends and neighbors were in attendance. A local teenager entered while people were watching the film and started shooting. Lucas's wife was the first one killed. Among the theatergoers was Lucas's weekly therapist, whose wife also died. Lucas is bereft and seeks help from the one person he has consistently relied on for guidance. Karl, his therapist, however, inexplicably cuts off contact with him.Lucas knows he needs to talk to Karl. Every night, he thinks he sees his dead wife come to him as an angel. She holds and comforts him until he falls asleep, only to disappear in the morning. He is desperate to understand what is happening to him and has resorted to bombarding his therapist with letters almost daily. Karl never answers him, and when Lucas is caught trespassing on Karl's property, the police kindly but firmly tell Lucas he must stop his stalking.An unexpected development occurs when Eli, the shooter's younger brother, a boy Lucas knows from the school, pitches a tent and starts camping in Lucas's backyard. The community is persecuting Eli because he is related to the killer. He has become a pariah and goes to his school guidance counselor for help. The bond that Lucas and Eli forge changes their futures and has a lasting impact on the town.The format of the book commands the reader's attention. The story unfolds as a series of letters that Lucas is writing to Karl since he can't meet him in person. This device builds tension and momentum. I couldn't imagine why Karl abandoned his client, especially since they had both lost someone in the tragedy, and I wanted to know why. Little bits of information dropped into place as I read further, and plot twists were delivered thoughtfully and reflectively. This is one of those stories that stays with you after you've finished reading. I recommend it to those who like books with a positive message.

I initially had a hard time getting into the rhythm of how this book was written. But I’m glad I stuck with it. A unique approach to storytelling that seemed very appropriate for the subject matter and situations.

Excelent savings on a best seller.

Didn't realize going into the book that it was going to be a series of letters. Sort of odd at the begining, but then you get used to it when you realize what is going on. These letter take you throught a beautifully written journey of grief, denial, helping out, acceptance, growth and more. These are twists and turns and finally a destination. I am glad I read the book.

A very strange yet moving story. Lucas writes to his psychologist though the whole story, trying to heal after his wife is murdered in a mass shooting. It's quite a journey, long time healing for all the survivors.

It was a weird book - read for our book ckub

A powerful depiction of grief, community, and love. I really enjoyed the epistolary style of this novel and the threads left by the narrator, former high school counselor Lucas Goodgame, as he tells the recipient of his letters about his processing his trauma (or not).What made the book particularly impactful for me was the way each person involved in the plot's unthinkable tragedy processed it in such different ways, which felt so real and important in light of what we see on the news almost every day. The novel also handled the main character's rapidly deteriorating mental health in a very real and respectful way.Check content warnings before reading!

"We are the light", which I could not put down, indeed touches one in a deep and tender place- and brings us into contact with the inner experience referred to in the title- feeling the light within ourselves and between fellow humans. As a psychologist, and a fellow traveler on the lifelong path of healing I found this novel a source of inspiration and wisdom. While unfolding an engaging narrative of trauma and recovery for both an individual and community, Quick does a beautiful job of depicting the power of relational healing, both between lay people, and therapist and client. He features especially, the significant element of love in the therapeutic encounter, something which is often overlooked in many traditional psychological texts. Great gratitude to Matthew Quick for the gift of this story and its many touch points where we can each resonate with so many universal themes.

The writing style was difficult to be comfortable with. It became easier through the book but I didn’t particularly like it.One minor comment...His editor needs to read a little closer to the baseball reference……He has Lucas playing “left field” to avoid the right handed batters…. well in actual fact if he was in left field the right handed batters would be hitting towards him. Small thing but interestingly not picked up by anyone proof reading.This story was very touching, sad and heartbreaking but I enjoyed the story line very much.I was unsure if I would finish early on in the read but I was so glad I did.... very very compelling.Would recommend