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More About the Author
Product Description
Independent April 5th 2003
‘an American writer of promise’
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'The wonderfully confident debut by Jennifer Donnelly.' Lindsay Fraser, Sunday Herald '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 'If ever a book deserved to cross over, this is it...this is a wonderfully rich, involving and beautifully written book.' Adele Geras, Guardian 'Part history, part compelling murder mystery, Jennifer Donnelly's A GATHERING LIGHT brings the past to powerful and vivid life.' Celia Rees
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
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!
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
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.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a fantastic novel which almost anyone can enjoy.
I was searching for a good absorbing novel in a bookshop one day, and being more partial to a good murder mystery, I was disapointed to find mostly romance novels but then 'A Gathering Light' caught my eye and I purchased it after reading it's excellent reviews.
The tale is based on a real murder in 1906 which is tied in nicely with the lead in the book, Mattie a 16 year old girl who is torn between looking after her family as her mother died, her first boyfriend and her desire to go to New York to become a writer.
This book has everything; history, romance, a murder mystery and choices of a young woman. It's very touching and will stay with you for a long time. Brilliant!!
Buy it now!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 3 months ago by KB
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 3 months ago by bethanchloe
Duplicate
I love Jennifer Donnelly but was really disappointed to discover that A Northern Light is the same book as a Gathering Light, bought both books because of the author not realising... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Patricia47
Much better than I expected!
I picked this up from the library having read the back cover. It looked like the kind of book I'd enjoy, but it was so much more than that. I loved it from start to finish. Read more
Published 4 months ago by SJI29
Fab read
A wonderfully rich read ... hard to tear yourself from this historically based and beautifully written story to the immediate needs of today. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Clever Kids
Sheer delight to read
Set in a time of unease and hardship in American culture when work was hard to come by and rights for women, the poor and racial differences were a far cry from today A Gathering... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sisterspooky
Magical
I rarely read any books other than thrillers, but this one caught my eye as I was looking through at our library for a book to read during my hols, I am glad I borrowed it, it... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dev
My Favourite Book
`A Gathering Light' is Jennifer Donnelly at her best and is truly a wonderful book that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Little Miss Bookworm
A new author and a great read
I hadn't read any of Jennifer Donnelly's books before and really enjoyed this one, which was recommended through a book circle I am involved in. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Manda Moo
A must read!
The book flits between a few years of Matties life in the early 1900's and her choices at that time. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Book Addict
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