The Lighthouse

by M.T. Mathieson

Ann Barford, forty-two years old, divorced mother of two, estranged from her eldest daughter, returns to Hennerton Lighthouse to confront the ghosts of her past.

The secret she has carried with her for the past thirty-two years, one that has shaped her life and tainted others, must be exposed and laid to rest. Most of all, justice must be served and Ann knows just how to make that happen.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2012

About the author

A mother of three living in the East of England.

I read, write, take photos and dabble in whatever happens to have taken my fancy at any given time.

Reviews

[Jay Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an absorbing tale with a wonderful twist in the tail, a sad story that is all too believable, unfortunately. It is a weaving of the threads of the POV of the family members, but mostly the mother, Ann, as she reaches breaking point. She bears the scars from her childhood abuse. She knows how it has twisted her life and deplores the way it has affected her family.

It is beautifully written but I am only scoring it 4*, not 5*, because it felt, to me, that I should have been given more chance to get to know her husband, Mark, and her daughters, Becky and Carla. The rot in their relationships developed over a long time but I felt I was being rushed towards the tragic conclusion.

Don't get me wrong, by the end of the book I realised I had been held spellbound, but I felt slightly cheated of time with the family, learning about how their relationships had deteriorated. I'm not talking about a huge increase in length - another 15%-20% would work for me.

That said, I would still recommend it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.T Mathieson writes a sad tale of childhood sexual abuse its aftermath and how it shapes a child into adulthood. 30 years later, Ann is a fearful mess, she doesn’t trust men, she doesn’t trust the world, or her children’s ability to trust their own instincts as she tries to protect her children from the dangers of the world and everything and everyone in it, she is alienating them from it, and herself. It all boils down to one person who destroyed her innocence and its time he pay for his crimes. I thought it was beautifully written, without being explicit or graphic in details, she writes of Ann’s pain and how one person can ruin ones soul if you let them. This is definitely not a happy ending type of story but the author does a really good job conveying the thoughts and feeling of her characters and you have no problem understanding and empathising with them.

[Rebecca Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Ann Barford. She is a forty two year old divorced woman, mother of two. Ann has a secret and it has eaten at her for the past thirty two years. She must return to the source of her pain, the Hennerton Lighthouse. It is there where she will finally lay the ghosts of the past to rest. But will she?

This is a interesting piece with excellent character development. The author shows the reader how Ann’s secret has manifested itself throughout her life. Some may not like Ann and wonder why she reacted as she did, but I think the author painted a very clear picture of the how and why of it. I really liked this piece although a bit dark.

[Alison French · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this story totally enthralling and emotional. I could feel Ann's pain and desperation as I read of the turmoil resulting from her childhood experience. I thankfully have never experienced the situation at the heart of this story but feel tha the subject was handled with great sensitivity and in a way that would give hope to similar victims to come forward. A truly absorbing book, beautifully written.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lighthouse is a story that is heart wrenching at times. Ann had keep a secret for 32 years. It has destroyed her happiness, her marriage and her relationship with her children. Finally one day Ann realizes she can no longer live like this. She decides to get revenge at any cost.

The author did an excellent job on this short story. It is very well written and touching.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forty-two year old Ann Barford has childhood secrets—secrets that have broken and shaped her life, and destroyed the relationships and happiness of others. Having lived with this trauma for thirty-two years, Ann returns to Hennerton Lighthouse, to the site of her torture, to confront her past and finally put an end to her suffering.

The Lighthouse, by M. T. Mathieson, is a short novella which reads at a quick pace due to the excellent prose and gripping story. The tale flips the reader back and forth from Ann’s present day torment to the events of the past that shaped her life. Events that taint her, and rip apart the life she’s now trying to build. It’s easy to get into Ann’s head, even if you are a male reader, and understand and sympathize with her plight. But when you think you know what she’ll do when she confronts her demons after returning to the lighthouse, Ms. Mathieson springs a little surprise that tops the book off nicely.

There are one or two minor errors to be found, but every book ever published has them, so who cares. This is an enjoyable read and one that I would recommend to any reader of any genre.

[~Gen hearts books.~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mocha Girls 2015 reading challenge:

I liked this short story.

M- The Lighthouse by M.T. Mathieson

O-Open Door Invitation by Dee Carney

C- Chasing Justice by Danielle Stewart

H- How Can You Judge Me? by Robert Cost

A- Married Strangers by Dawn Abrams

G- Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes and Bryan Collier

I - If I Could By Donna Hill

R- The Doctor's Secret Bride by Ana E. Ross

L- Love Is a Red Balloon by Dean Walley

S- Simply Amazing by Candace Shaw

1-

5-

[Dawn Whidden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and deep short story dealing with the childhood trauma of sexual abuse. M.T. Mathieson makes the characters come alive with her colorful descriptions and insightful writing.
If you have ever experienced fear and anxiety as a child you will find yourself becoming emotionally involved with the main character Ann.