When Mattie is given the letters by a guest at the hotel in which she has a summer job she thinks that the giver is simply upset. But the next day when the woman is found drowned in Big Moose Lake Mattie has to decide if she will read the letters, or burn them as the woman requested. But Mattie has problems enough of her own as she is growing up and trying to decide on her future. Her desire to be a writer and her dreams of life outside the small rural community in which she has always lived are beginning to overwhelm her. Will Mattie make it away from home? Will she leave the family and boyfriend who both love and smother her? Will she be like her friend and settle to married life or like her other friend and mentor the poet Ms Wilcox. Slowly the two stories merge to one amazing conclusion as Mattie finds the courage to make very important decisions. Set in 1906 and built around the real life murder of a young woman in a popular holiday resort this novel is touching, surprising, moving and compelling.
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‘an American writer of promise’ -- Independent April 5th 2003
From the Publisher
'A Gathering Light is a remarkable debut, a book that sweeps across the genre boundaries of murder, mystery, romance, and historical fiction - resulting in an original novel that is both gripping and touching.' SCOTT TUROW
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By "brimstoney"
Format:Paperback
When I first started reading A Gathering Light, I did not know what to expect. I had a feeling I would dislike it. Contrary to my opinions, I enjoyed it.
Set in 1906 New York State, the book chapters alternate between July and April. The plot revolves around the main character Mathilda Gokey, known as Mattie. She is striving to go on to a college education and become a writer, while coping with responsibilities on the family farm, and a relationship with the boy next door. But things take a turn for the worse, when both her boyfriend and teacher turn out to be someone they are not.
The book then ends with a chilling, real life account of the murder that the book is based on.
A great read, which kept me hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend to all. Excellent, fab, stupendous!
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Charlie
Format:Paperback
Upon reading the first few pages of this book, I thought it might be another one of those borderline books which doesn't really leave much of an impression. I was very wrong!
It is a story of a young girl who loves books and has a dream of one day being a writer. However Mattie Gokey must set these dreams aside to look after her sisters and her overworked father after her mother had died. Set in 1906, Matties story is fictional but is tied together beautifully with the story of a real girl who was murdered in the same year as the story is set.
The book flows in such a wonderful way and although the chapters alternate between seasons, it is not at all confusing and this actually adds to the emotional strength of the story.
A very heartfelt story, it is really easy to relate to the battle between Mattie's family, and the promise she made to her mother to look after them, and Matties's dreams, of finding her own feet in the world through her writing.
As Mattie reads Grace Browns letters,(the name of the murdered girl), their worlds seem to merge, they are so different yet strong connections between the two may change Mattie's life forever. This is a definite recommendation, a truly lovely story.
It is a story of a young girl who loves books and has a dream of one day being a writer. However Mattie Gokey must set these dreams aside to look after her sisters and her overworked father after her mother had died. Set in 1906, Matties story is fictional but is tied together beautifully with the story of a real girl who was murdered in the same year as the story is set.
The book flows in such a wonderful way and although the chapters alternate between seasons, it is not at all confusing and this actually adds to the emotional strength of the story.
A very heartfelt story, it is really easy to relate to the battle between Mattie's family, and the promise she made to her mother to look after them, and Matties's dreams, of finding her own feet in the world through her writing.
As Mattie reads Grace Browns letters,(the name of the murdered girl), their worlds seem to merge, they are so different yet strong connections between the two may change Mattie's life forever. This is a definite recommendation, a truly lovely story.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Raych
Format:Paperback
Well what more can I say? As you can see from all the other reviews this book is WELL worth the read. Donnellly totally captures the reader into Mattie's world. The story is fantastic, there are lots of twists along the way, lots of emotion, you will feel shock, cry and laugh!
I absoloutely loved this book, I don't want to go into too much detail but this book is so cleverly written, the language is beautiful, you get to really know the characters, you can feel the scene, the plot is amazing. 'A gathering light' tackles so many different issues there really is something in it for every single one of us.
For my English Speaking and Listening I had to review a book and I chose this one, although I'm not a very good speaker I still managed to get loads of people asking me more about the book after my speech and lots of people have since read it and thoroughly enjoyed it ! (including my teacher)
A totally different story based upon true events written in such a beautiful way with such a vast number of issues, huge variety of emoiton, so much you can relate to, what more could you possiblly ask for out of a book?! As the name suggests this book shows the world that there is hope and you can be whoever you want to be. There is more out there for us all!
Highly enjoyable, totally engrossing, you won't be able to put it down and what's more you'll want to read it all over again! If only more books out there were like this one !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Love Letter to Writing and Growing Up
I first read 'A Gathering Light' when I was 14 in one sitting - eagerly, greedily. Now I'm 21 and it is as moving and pertinent as ever. Read more
Published 2 months ago by NoSuperGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
ITS A BLOODY GOOD BOOK
absolutely A+ 10/10 would recommend i bought it for my best friends christmas present it is a REALY good book you should read it
Published 2 months ago by Annie
4.0 out of 5 stars
What did happen to that poor drowned girl?
From the blurb on the back it sounded like it might be a bit of crime fiction but in fact despite the fact that the story is loosely based on a read murder that shocked the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by K. Humphries
1.0 out of 5 stars
Nut suitable for the younger adult or child as some classifications...
My 11 year old was given this book by her school librarian to read.
My wife read it after and we felt whilst well written was unsuited to a child of 11 - the book is... Read more
My wife read it after and we felt whilst well written was unsuited to a child of 11 - the book is... Read more
Published 4 months ago by John Stall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling and utterly convincing
Mattie's choices as an 1900s Adirondack farm girl appear limited until an inspirational teacher opens her eyes to opportunities. Read more
Published 8 months ago by JoTownhead
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing...
Jennifer Donnelly is a talented author, and after reading Revolution, I was ready to dive into the highly-reviewed A Gathering Light with gusto. Read more
Published 9 months ago by BlueHippo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this
So enjoyable - beautifully written and a real page turner. The main character of Mattie is endearing and real, and the book covers so much - love, death, family, prejudice,... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Emma Mickelwright
2.0 out of 5 stars
A lot going on
I felt that there was almost a bit too much going on in this book and that I didn't really understand the author's focus. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A new favourite of mine
This is a new all-time favourite book of mine. Being well into my twenties, I'm actually surprised this book is considered a young adult book as I never thought of it like that... Read more
Published 14 months ago by KB
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly a hit
Mattie is the eldest sister of four (with an older brother estranged from the family), her mother is recently dead and they have a farm to run, manage and profit from. Read more
Published 15 months ago by bethanchloe
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