The Light Here Changes Everything: A Novella

by Patrick Stockwell

Sophie has managed to keep herself clean for a full year. Now, against her sponsor’s advice, she’s agreed to a road trip with her boyfriend Sid, who sees the journey a chance to recapture their past. As they make their way from Houston across Texas and the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, Sophie quickly learns that it’s not easy being sober and trapped in a car with someone who’s living the life you’re fighting to leave behind. Bar brawls, automatic weapons, and hidden stashes of liquor complicate things even further as Sophie struggles to discover who she’s supposed to be in this new beginning. As they move farther from home, the few lifelines she has left become strained, and even phone calls to her sponsor don’t seem to be enough to squelch the chaos. Sophie’s new life is in danger of collapse, and with Sid around to pour gas on the fire there doesn’t seem to be anything she can do to stop it—unless she can learn what it means to get better.  

The Light Here Changes Everything is a story of addiction—to alcohol, to people, to patterns—that, at its heart, seeks to understand why we stay in situations that no longer serve our needs.
 

80 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2019

Reviews

[Kirk Carver]

An engrossing journey, physical and emotional, of an addict struggling to extricate herself from the skipping groove of her life’s LP.

[AmandaSmith]

This is an enjoyable and meaningful read that is great for the weekend, vacation, or anytime you need a quicker read. 2-3 days tops, but feels complete. It packs a lot into a smaller package— complex characters, great descriptions and interactions, easy to read writing (deceptive in its depth).


I don’t usually like stories about addiction journeys because they remind me of my opioid epidemic consumed cousins. Especially when they involve AA. That is another institution, much like a church or jail, that gives structure and a sense of atonement to the addict. Which— yeah— that’s part of the recovery process, but I suppose wrongs and repentance trigger me in some way.

Sophie (the main character) isn’t what I expected. I loved her immensely and was glad she had some sense of agency and understanding that she wasn’t the sole factor in her addiction. Honestly, her sponsor seemed mediocre.

I liked that her alcoholic boyfriend Sid was more than just a fuck up. He showed qualities that tug the heart strings along with throwing his red flags everywhere.

My favorite thing about this novella was the sense of hope mixed with absurd behavior. That captures addiction better than some glamorous rock bottom.

It’s definitely worth the read

[Lone Star Literary Life]

Reviewed by Patrick Stockwell for Lone Star Literary Life.

[Blake Levario]

Patrick Stockwell has done something incredible here. In less than 100 pages this book packs the punch of an avalanche. There is a gripping feeling of regret, wistfulness, and just enough hope to make it believable. Anyone who has ever struggled with the ramifications of their own self-destructive behavior will find pieces of themselves within this narrative.

[Tyler Julian]

You can read my review on the Puerto del Sol website: https://www.puertodelsol.org/single-p....