A gripping and deftly plotted narrative of family and belonging, Lights All Night Long is a dazzling debut novel from an acclaimed young writer.A luminous debut.... It's hard not to read the book in a single sitting. (The Los Angeles Times) Lights All Night Long is utterly brilliant and completely captivating.... One of the most propulsive, un-put-downable literary novels I've read in ages. (Anthony Marra, author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena)Fifteen-year-old Ilya arrives in Louisiana from his native Russia for what should be the adventure of his life: a year in America as an exchange student. The abundance of his new world - the super Walmarts and heated pools and enormous televisions - is as hard to fathom as the relentless cheerfulness of his host parents. And Sadie, their beautiful and enigmatic daughter, has miraculously taken an interest in him. But all is not right in Ilya's world: He's consumed by the fate of his older brother, Vladimir, the magnetic rebel to Ilya's dutiful wunderkind, back in their tiny Russian hometown. The two have always been close, spending their days dreaming of escaping to America. But when Ilya was tapped for the exchange, Vladimir disappeared into their town's seedy, drug-plagued underworld. Just before Ilya left, the murders of three young women rocked the town's usual calm, and Vladimir found himself in prison.With the help of Sadie, who has secrets of her own, Ilya embarks on a mission to prove Vladimir's innocence. Piecing together the timeline of the murders and Vladimir's descent into addiction, Ilya discovers the radical lengths to which Vladimir has gone to protect him - a truth he could only have learned by leaving him behind. A rich tale of belonging and the pull of homes both native and adopted, Lights All Night Long is a spellbinding story of the fierce bond between brothers determined to find a way back to each other.
In the captivating novel "Lights All Night Long" by Lydia Fitzpatrick, readers are transported to the enigmatic town of Cedarbrook, where a series of mysterious events unfold. The story revolves around Ruby, a young woman who returns to her hometown after years of absence, only to find herself embroiled in a web of secrets and intrigue.
As Ruby delves deeper into the town's history, she uncovers long-forgotten tales of love, loss, and hidden truths. The novel takes readers on a journey through time, seamlessly blending the past and present as Ruby pieces together the puzzle of Cedarbrook's shadowed mysteries. With each twist and turn, the lines between reality and illusion blur, leaving readers questioning what is true and what is merely a figment of their imagination.
Fitzpatrick's masterful storytelling captivates readers from the very first page. Her vivid descriptions bring the town of Cedarbrook to life, creating a palpable sense of atmosphere that immerses readers in the story. The characters are complex and well-developed, each with their own unique motivations and secrets. As Ruby interacts with the townspeople, she uncovers their hidden connections to the town's past, weaving together a intricate tapestry of relationships.
"Lights All Night Long" is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, memory, and the choices that shape our lives. Fitzpatrick deftly explores the complexities of human nature, revealing the darkness and light that resides within us all. The novel is a testament to the power of storytelling, reminding readers of the enduring impact of the past on the present.
