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Keepers of Light
Unbeknown to ninety-four-year-old Best Douglas, his Doctor is trying to kill him under a recently passed euthanasia law.
At age eight, Best witnessed his mother drown off the rock shelves of Thurrough Beach. Soon after he experienced strange visions. Were they the result of a wounded boy’s mind, or something more profound designed to help him and ultimately humanity?
Against a backdrop of rich Australian heritage, the novel strips bare the pivotal events of Best’s life: his obscure aboriginal and convict ancestry; the curious Hole of Thurrough Beach; the tragic losses of loved ones; his budding friendship with Daniel “Oak Legs” Finbar – the war veteran; his unique relationship with Orion, the Nursing Home’s paper boy; and Doctor Fiona Gerard, the lone voice against his death. Can they all combine to protect Best from sinister forces and give meaning to his life in old age?
In his debut novel Keepers of Light, Chris Salmon brings an authentic Australian voice to his loveable characters. Genuine, humorous, and at times downright funny, this book is a heart-warmer. Presenting issues such as ageing, euthanasia, and the collision of cultures caused by British settlement, the work is also deeply thought-provoking. Keepers of Light has the ability to reach across the generations and touch the heart of every Australian.
At age eight, Best witnessed his mother drown off the rock shelves of Thurrough Beach. Soon after he experienced strange visions. Were they the result of a wounded boy’s mind, or something more profound designed to help him and ultimately humanity?
Against a backdrop of rich Australian heritage, the novel strips bare the pivotal events of Best’s life: his obscure aboriginal and convict ancestry; the curious Hole of Thurrough Beach; the tragic losses of loved ones; his budding friendship with Daniel “Oak Legs” Finbar – the war veteran; his unique relationship with Orion, the Nursing Home’s paper boy; and Doctor Fiona Gerard, the lone voice against his death. Can they all combine to protect Best from sinister forces and give meaning to his life in old age?
In his debut novel Keepers of Light, Chris Salmon brings an authentic Australian voice to his loveable characters. Genuine, humorous, and at times downright funny, this book is a heart-warmer. Presenting issues such as ageing, euthanasia, and the collision of cultures caused by British settlement, the work is also deeply thought-provoking. Keepers of Light has the ability to reach across the generations and touch the heart of every Australian.
- GenresBook Club
230 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 15, 2020
I looked forward to reading this book. I liked the beginning .... loved the relationship between Best & Orion, the descriptions of the ocean & surfing.
As I continued to read I had reservations about the author's zany, flippant handling of the thought provoking themes of aging, the care of residents in aged care facilities & euthanasia. I particually disliked the abrupt introduction of storylines I thought had little bearing on the main issue of the story.
Disappointing.
As I continued to read I had reservations about the author's zany, flippant handling of the thought provoking themes of aging, the care of residents in aged care facilities & euthanasia. I particually disliked the abrupt introduction of storylines I thought had little bearing on the main issue of the story.
Disappointing.
December 1, 2020
As indicated by my rating of Christopher Salmon’s novel
Keepers of Light
, it was not much to my liking.
Sure enough there were many important ideas put forward in the novel including the treatment of older people in residential aged care settings, government overreach and corruption, Aboriginal and Torres Strait people's dispossession and land rights and most emphatically, Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation. Unfortunately, the unrefined, lacklustre prose, the disjointed, 'out of the blue' feel of the narrative did not do the subject matter justice and together with my scepticism about the main concern of the story had me wishing quite early on in the reading that I could read something else!
I’m sure others will appreciate the swashbuckling, mysterious vibe which permeates the novel and you certainly won’t be feeling ‘down’ when you have finished reading Keepers of Light . For me, the most satisfying, enjoyable aspect of the novel was reading about the relationships between the surfing paperboy Orion and his ‘old mates’ in the beautifully described residential aged care setting. If only more older adults had such understanding, generous young friends.
Sure enough there were many important ideas put forward in the novel including the treatment of older people in residential aged care settings, government overreach and corruption, Aboriginal and Torres Strait people's dispossession and land rights and most emphatically, Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation. Unfortunately, the unrefined, lacklustre prose, the disjointed, 'out of the blue' feel of the narrative did not do the subject matter justice and together with my scepticism about the main concern of the story had me wishing quite early on in the reading that I could read something else!
I’m sure others will appreciate the swashbuckling, mysterious vibe which permeates the novel and you certainly won’t be feeling ‘down’ when you have finished reading Keepers of Light . For me, the most satisfying, enjoyable aspect of the novel was reading about the relationships between the surfing paperboy Orion and his ‘old mates’ in the beautifully described residential aged care setting. If only more older adults had such understanding, generous young friends.
April 14, 2014
Keepers of Light is an original, heartwarming and charismatic story about Best Douglas' life. The story spans from the fist settlers into Australia to present day. Beautifully written, I found this a page turning magical adventure!
September 7, 2021
How lovely to read a book that is original, innovative and engaging. Australian author Christopher Salmon's debut novel 'Keepers of Light' kept me engrossed and fascinated with his cast of delightful (and some not so delightful) characters and a plot line that addresses issues such as old age, euthanasia, friendship, the love of family, the greed for money and power, and the consequences of British displacement of the country's first peoples. So it covers a lot, but in such heart-warming, sensitive and thought-provoking ways that I didn't want it to end. In addition, there are some truly humorous incidents. The main character - Best Douglas - is wonderfully drawn as he navigates his way towards the end of his life in a nursing home. His friendship with war veteran 'Oak Legs' Finbar and Orion the young newspaper boy are beautifully realised. And of course I can never go past a book that has a lighthouse on the cover.
March 30, 2020
I loved the authenticity of the Australian characters and landscape. The threads of connection which were woven through the book, through different time periods provided links to history and our heritage. I laughed. I cried. I thoroughly enjoyed this very unique story and felt the familiar places of Sydney that were described made it very relatable.
March 11, 2024
Genuine, loveable characters on a backdrop of rich Australian soil (or beach). A heartwarming and thought-provoking novel about ageing that will make you want to visit your grandparents and give them a big hug! The relationship between young and old is beautiful. A unique book that delves into serious and familiar Australian themes but with a completely unpredictable plot.
April 14, 2014
There are lots of good feelings in this book. It is the sort of book that gives you a warm glow.
In many ways it is a deeply compassionate look at aging and in other ways it is the story of our lives - the internal questions we will all arrive at one day, in some shape or form. However, it isn't a heavy or dreary read (God knows, that is the last thing any of us need) - quite the opposite. There are many 'laugh out loud' moments.
In many ways it is a deeply compassionate look at aging and in other ways it is the story of our lives - the internal questions we will all arrive at one day, in some shape or form. However, it isn't a heavy or dreary read (God knows, that is the last thing any of us need) - quite the opposite. There are many 'laugh out loud' moments.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews