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The Lights That Find Us
Finalist for the 2018 Epigram Books Fiction Prize
Deepavali has never been the same since the terrible mistake Shreya made two years ago. She now dreads the annual celebration, choosing instead to be as uninvolved as possible, until she is visited by three celestial beings who decide to help her right the wrongs.
In Singapore’s answer to A Christmas Carol, Shreya revisits key events in her family’s history and catches a glimpse of their future as well. Seeing things in a new light, she comes to terms with her emotional wounds and learns the importance of keeping herself and her family whole.
Deepavali has never been the same since the terrible mistake Shreya made two years ago. She now dreads the annual celebration, choosing instead to be as uninvolved as possible, until she is visited by three celestial beings who decide to help her right the wrongs.
In Singapore’s answer to A Christmas Carol, Shreya revisits key events in her family’s history and catches a glimpse of their future as well. Seeing things in a new light, she comes to terms with her emotional wounds and learns the importance of keeping herself and her family whole.
- GenresFiction
200 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2019
99 people want to read
About the author
Anittha Thanabalan
3 books9 followersAt twelve, Anittha wrote her first book, a masterpiece containing five chapters and written entirely in comic sans font. In 2018 her debut novel, The Lights That Find Us, was a finalist for the Epigram Books Fiction Prize. Anittha is an obsessed dog mum to a five-year-old poodle. She is currently working on her second book.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 22, 2020
YA fiction is often the ambient TV of reading. The Emily in Paris of the book world, if you want.
But every once in a while, a sword pierces through the pages to evoke a primal feeling in our hearts and that is exactly what The Light That Finds Us does.
It is not just a coming of age or a parent-child relationship story but rather says something more profound about the fundamental nature of family.
Particular credit has to be given to Thanabalan’s portrayal of indian culture - in the Singaporean context without resorting to caricatures or motherhood statements about the danger of diabetes. Here, reference do not come as heavy handed or trying to appeal to some foreign sensibility. Worth credit too are her explorations of homosexuality in this context.
Given the centrality of his character, I think Dhiren’s character could have been better developed and so could his relationship with Shreya.
I read it cover to cover and I would recommend this simple and elegant read to everyone.
But every once in a while, a sword pierces through the pages to evoke a primal feeling in our hearts and that is exactly what The Light That Finds Us does.
It is not just a coming of age or a parent-child relationship story but rather says something more profound about the fundamental nature of family.
Particular credit has to be given to Thanabalan’s portrayal of indian culture - in the Singaporean context without resorting to caricatures or motherhood statements about the danger of diabetes. Here, reference do not come as heavy handed or trying to appeal to some foreign sensibility. Worth credit too are her explorations of homosexuality in this context.
Given the centrality of his character, I think Dhiren’s character could have been better developed and so could his relationship with Shreya.
I read it cover to cover and I would recommend this simple and elegant read to everyone.
December 24, 2019
Some books you rate highly because they are technically accomplished, and others, like this one, because they tell a story that just really, really needed to be told. This novel moved me so deeply. Despite its rawness and slightly amateurish tone, despite the debut author’s focus on telling rather than showing, the story was structurally sound and it’s fantastical elements lent an air of mystique to the tale. It’s about families and how they make mistakes, acknowledge them and learn to account for them. It’s about coming of age and growing into yourself, at any stage in life. I’ll admit to having bawled my way through the second-last chapter, which was suitably modelled on Indian movie endings. I think this is my favourite local book this year.
March 31, 2022
The cover was what drew me in when I chanced upon it in the NLB Libby App. I started reading because it was SingLit but I finished reading because I liked the story. 😊 I'm unfamiliar with the story of A Christmas Carol but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. I loved the celestial world-building and meeting characters from traditional Indian folktales. This book holds lessons and provides hope for anyone who has ever felt lost after making a mistake.
October 25, 2020
I tried really really hard to like this book but it was tough. As a finalist for a book award, and an average score of 4, I had high hopes for it but the book was not worthy of the score. Perhaps it’s written for a YA audience, as the style of writing is really simplistic and unpolished.
It’s a story about a girl who did something so bad, I thought something she did out of meanness and cruelty, but turned out to be an impulse reaction, the it tears the family apart. So she spends the rest of the story wandering around with mythical characters who try their best to convince her she has to set things right. Which she finally did, an ending that was too easy and tidy at best.
The author has a tendency to focus on the inane like the lead character’s love for bath gels and soaps, which gets mentioned 3-4 times throughout the book, but I realised adds nothing to the story. The author also writes really convoluted lines in an attempt to appear mystical, but loses me midway. An example:
“So, it has. This will be much worse because of the changeability of the time yet to come. It will look similar to the fogginess of limbo, but there is also this crushing feeling of barrenness that can be quite difficult to contend with. Scenes will unfold to you without any semblance of real context. They may not even finish all the way through. You must discern from them what you can. The future changes as things in our present change. But your present has been frozen for the past few hours, which means that whatever does unveil…”
Fogginess of limbo? Crushing feeling of barrenness? Meh.
In all, it was a difficult read, difficult coz I spent most of the time wondering what am I reading. I guess the only reason I felt so disappointed was because I had thought it would be really good.
It’s a story about a girl who did something so bad, I thought something she did out of meanness and cruelty, but turned out to be an impulse reaction, the it tears the family apart. So she spends the rest of the story wandering around with mythical characters who try their best to convince her she has to set things right. Which she finally did, an ending that was too easy and tidy at best.
The author has a tendency to focus on the inane like the lead character’s love for bath gels and soaps, which gets mentioned 3-4 times throughout the book, but I realised adds nothing to the story. The author also writes really convoluted lines in an attempt to appear mystical, but loses me midway. An example:
“So, it has. This will be much worse because of the changeability of the time yet to come. It will look similar to the fogginess of limbo, but there is also this crushing feeling of barrenness that can be quite difficult to contend with. Scenes will unfold to you without any semblance of real context. They may not even finish all the way through. You must discern from them what you can. The future changes as things in our present change. But your present has been frozen for the past few hours, which means that whatever does unveil…”
Fogginess of limbo? Crushing feeling of barrenness? Meh.
In all, it was a difficult read, difficult coz I spent most of the time wondering what am I reading. I guess the only reason I felt so disappointed was because I had thought it would be really good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2020
The story is set in Singapore and hence I found that the story was very relatable. I particularly appreciated the author’s efforts to describe aspects related to the Hindu culture beautifully, which provided a great insight to one who do not know much about the culture. I’ve to say I’ve learn much by the end of the book.
I was a little turn off with the fantastical encounter but I managed to push through the chapters and found it bearable and it was a light hearted approach to a difficult topic.
If you enjoy a good read about family, courage and strength and coming of age to learn about yourself, then you will enjoy this easy read too.
I was a little turn off with the fantastical encounter but I managed to push through the chapters and found it bearable and it was a light hearted approach to a difficult topic.
If you enjoy a good read about family, courage and strength and coming of age to learn about yourself, then you will enjoy this easy read too.
February 11, 2020
First time author - fantastic work. Such a good book to read with an easy flow and the characters seemed real, relatable although the book is fictition. Best character was the mum who understands and supports her kids. The fantasy parts seemed really surreal and filled with insights. Would hv preferred an in a more reasoning on the dad's reaction to his son sexuality - maybe to help others in the same position.
Good book in summary. Looking forward to your next book.
Best wishes
Good book in summary. Looking forward to your next book.
Best wishes
May 26, 2021
Although the writing style was simplistic, and the ending felt like wish fulfilment, I still really enjoyed this. It's a solid coming-of-age / forgiveness story. The vivid and evocative descriptions of food left me really hungry! I also really liked the introspection and it was heartwarming to accompany Shreya as she understands her heart better and grows. The family dynamic reminded me of my own family lol, and made me reflect too.
February 11, 2020
I don’t usually read books but I couldn’t put this one down! Finished it in a day and wow all I can say is that the storyline draws you in and makes you feel connected to the main character. This book also has a truly accurate representation of Deepavali and the Indian culture! 10/10 would recommended
October 24, 2021
This book shook me hard. The writing is clear and poignant while the message is deep and hard-hitting. It serves as a good reminder of the need to account for multiple angles before passing judgement and to never be dogmatic about your perspectives.
November 30, 2021
I barely read YA but this was so moving & necessary & will stay w me for a very long time. reminded me v much (too much?) of balli kaur at times, but a rly great debut effort & am excited to read more from the author as she moves towards her own voice
July 20, 2022
Read with an open mind. Don’t judge it as yet when it reads tad similar to the ever famous Christmas story.
Being a female growing up in an Asian household, I can connect with the main character of the story.
It is well written, grasp those emotions. A truly good read.
Being a female growing up in an Asian household, I can connect with the main character of the story.
It is well written, grasp those emotions. A truly good read.
October 30, 2025
A wholesome read. Definitely for teens (I didn’t realise as I was just looking for a Deepavali novel) and some unnecessary inclusions, like there being a copy of “A Christmas Carol” on the table. But would definitely have enjoyed reading this when I was younger!
October 20, 2019
Interesting plot. A twist in the plot.
February 13, 2020
It was a very interesting book
April 5, 2020
All right for a first attempt author.
December 13, 2019
The Lights That Find Us centers on 16-year-old Shreya, a Singaporean of Indian descent whose Hindu family is about to celebrate Deepavali. But something isn’t quite right at home. It should be a time of joy and togetherness but the relationship between Shreya and her parents is strained. There’s tension in the air, and we keenly feel the absence of Dhiren, Shreya’s older brother, the golden son she was jealous of growing up. Shreya keeps referring to the terrible thing she did to him years ago, which made me turn the pages even faster in dread/anticipation. What happened, what happened?! Is Dhiren...dead? Did she...kill her brother?! Whatever it is, it weighs so heavily on Shreya’s mind that she faints and finds herself in limbo, where three celestial beings guide her through her past, present, and future, to help her come to terms with what happened and heal emotional wounds. (Yes yes, it’s sorta like a Singaporean A Christmas Carol.)
We only find out what happened to Dhiren halfway through the book, and the reveal was done very well. Shreya isn’t the easiest protagonist to warm up to - I mean, she’s a prickly, angry teenager wracked with guilt - but she grew on me, especially after the reveal. My main criticism would be that the story feels rushed after Shreya’s visits to the past (led by a very memorable gandharva!). The present and future fly by, and family rifts are resolved rather neatly and quickly considering their nature.
Still, I really enjoyed this impressive debut novel by Anittha Thanabalan. It was a finalist for the prestigious Epigram Books Fiction Prize 2018. Recent EBFP books have been hit-and-miss for me, but this is an enthusiastic 4/5.
We only find out what happened to Dhiren halfway through the book, and the reveal was done very well. Shreya isn’t the easiest protagonist to warm up to - I mean, she’s a prickly, angry teenager wracked with guilt - but she grew on me, especially after the reveal. My main criticism would be that the story feels rushed after Shreya’s visits to the past (led by a very memorable gandharva!). The present and future fly by, and family rifts are resolved rather neatly and quickly considering their nature.
Still, I really enjoyed this impressive debut novel by Anittha Thanabalan. It was a finalist for the prestigious Epigram Books Fiction Prize 2018. Recent EBFP books have been hit-and-miss for me, but this is an enthusiastic 4/5.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews