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Alone In The Light
Two years and 6,000 miles away from the explosion that took his leg, Josh Carpenter struggles to reclaim his former life as a college student.
Mary Fischer, a civilian for the first time in years, strikes out on her own to create a new, independent life away from the army and her controlling mother.
The last time Josh saw Mary, his National Guard unit was leaving Kuwait, headed north to the war.
The last time Mary saw Josh, she watched as his unconscious body was rolled onto a plane bound for a hospital in Germany.
As they navigate their new lives, Josh and Mary come ever closer to a reunion that has the potential to heal the traumas of war... or compound them.
Mary Fischer, a civilian for the first time in years, strikes out on her own to create a new, independent life away from the army and her controlling mother.
The last time Josh saw Mary, his National Guard unit was leaving Kuwait, headed north to the war.
The last time Mary saw Josh, she watched as his unconscious body was rolled onto a plane bound for a hospital in Germany.
As they navigate their new lives, Josh and Mary come ever closer to a reunion that has the potential to heal the traumas of war... or compound them.
340 pages, paperback
Published July 23, 2019
68 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin W. Bass
1 book19 followersBenjamin W. Bass is a native Hoosier, and a ten-year veteran of the Indiana National Guard. It was his time in the Guard that gave him the basis for the new novel, Alone In The Light. Drawing from his personal experience, Bass has crafted a very real depiction of post-deployment life.
Bass graduated from Indiana University, where he met the love of his life. Now married, they reside in Indiana with their two children, a lovable dog, and two very questionable cats.
When Benjamin is not writing, you can find him playing with his children on the living room floor, hunting on his family’s farm, or relaxing on the patio with his wife and a glass of scotch.
Bass graduated from Indiana University, where he met the love of his life. Now married, they reside in Indiana with their two children, a lovable dog, and two very questionable cats.
When Benjamin is not writing, you can find him playing with his children on the living room floor, hunting on his family’s farm, or relaxing on the patio with his wife and a glass of scotch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 12, 2020
A film-worthy story about love.
I would give this book more stars if I could.
I would give this book more stars if I could.
March 13, 2020
"Alone in the Light" is not just a book one reads but a quest one embarks on, where the biases you take with you are shattered, oftentimes painfully, but ultimately leaves you a better, open-minded individual aware of those cognitive biases you now no longer carry and are blessed with novel concepts you never expected or realized you needed, predominantly in how you and others approach and deal with trauma, depression, and anxiety. You'll never be "that person" who mutters, "just get over it," blissfully ignorant of the myriad folks dismissing you as an arrogant, uncompassionate fool.
Consider reading this true work of art like receiving a tattoo. Sure, the needle hurts…at first; but the almost melodic monotone of the needle gun becomes synonymous with the endorphins rushing into your system and that pain you first thought you couldn't bear becomes a pleasant necessity in uncovering the beautiful art that will forever be with you. Chances are you're going to want another one as well, like most tattoo advocates can attest, that after such a blissfully painful experience, you can't help wanting more, and I, for one, am anxiously awaiting Mr. Bass's future projects.
This no holds barred approach is pleasantly exciting and often demands the reader to be more honest with not only themselves, but inadvertently with their fellow human beings. One doesn't need to be a veteran to understand the concepts and themes prevalent, as the emotions Bass elicits are ones we, as people with our own issues can with little effort supplant with our own experiences.
Bass's storytelling is poetic and I found myself reminded of Tolkien. He seamlessly transitions from each protagonist, developing their own stories and experiences while slowly building on the latent thread that connects them both: love, and all the nuances involved with that concept. While the prevalent themes of trauma and adjusting to essentially a new existence for both protagonists are obviously an integral part of their journeys, Bass is able to demonstrate that the people they have evolved into as a result of their experiences is only a fragment of what defines who they have become. Bass is able to illustrate that traumas can shape an individual, but that it doesn't have to define them.
This brilliant work is not just, in my opinion, another treatise on the horrors of war and the individual impacts of that fall out which can redefine a person, but a testament of how strong we are in our most desperate and vulnerable state. This is a love story. Not just the trope of two souls searching for each other amidst the desperation found at the bottom of the abyss, but that hope, strength of will, and passion can save us and each other even when we appear to be at our weakest. Bass reminds us we are warriors and invites us to remember we may by bleeding, but we're still breathing.
January 7, 2020
Alone in the Light is one of the most powerful and moving books I have ever read. When I finished it, I was left with the profound sense that I had experienced something important in reading it. The author imbues his tale of post deployment life with an authenticity which can only come from experience. As such, the book has a truth about it. A saddening truth which forces deep and searching questions upon the reader.
In a word, this book is pure catharsis - a chance to vicariously experience deep and soul searching emotions with the characters as they struggle through everyday life with the burdens of their past experiences and losses. I highly recommend it.
In a word, this book is pure catharsis - a chance to vicariously experience deep and soul searching emotions with the characters as they struggle through everyday life with the burdens of their past experiences and losses. I highly recommend it.
July 27, 2019
Every once in a while I come across a book that deserves WAY more than 5 stars. This is most definitely one of those books. To be perfectly honest, it's one of the best ones I've read in quite a while.
Rarely do I not know where to begin when writing a review, but my emotions are a little all over the place on this one. It was such a heart wrenching, yet beautiful story. It moved me in a way very few books are able to do.
I guess to start off, I'd like to say that I really loved the author's writing style. It's clear and descriptive. The story was incredibly well-written.
I was stunned when I realized this is the first novel ever published by Benjamin Bass. I had to double check to make sure it was really true. I RARELY come across a book of this quality...especially as a debut novel. Couldn't believe it.
I think the synopsis does an incredible job in summarizing what you need to know about the storyline prior to reading it, but there are a couple of other things you might want to know:
*It's dual POV, and the story switches effortlessly back and forth between Josh and Mary, the two main characters.
*The author makes clever use of flashbacks to show the development of their relationship.
This book deals with some incredibly serious issues, and I felt every emotion imaginable while reading it. It tackles head on the issue of extreme loss and the raw pain (physically and emotionally) that comes as a result.
The whole topic of PTSD hits home for me on a personal level. I've suffered from it -- not to this extent and not for the same reasons -- but I've experienced it for myself. I was definitely able to relate to the characters in this story.
Needless to say, this is not lighthearted reading. Not in the least. But it's a story that so many people desperately need to read.
It's about finding hope when all hope is gone. It's about learning how to move on when your whole life has been destroyed. It's about learning to love yourself all over again, as well as once again allowing yourself to be loved by others.
Just know that this is an exceptionally good book. I have read countless books in my life, but I can guarantee you that I will NEVER forget this one.
I know that it will touch the lives of many people. I know it touched mine.
You would do yourself a HUGE disservice by not reading it.
I will gladly and eagerly read anything this author writes in the future.
Rarely do I not know where to begin when writing a review, but my emotions are a little all over the place on this one. It was such a heart wrenching, yet beautiful story. It moved me in a way very few books are able to do.
I guess to start off, I'd like to say that I really loved the author's writing style. It's clear and descriptive. The story was incredibly well-written.
I was stunned when I realized this is the first novel ever published by Benjamin Bass. I had to double check to make sure it was really true. I RARELY come across a book of this quality...especially as a debut novel. Couldn't believe it.
I think the synopsis does an incredible job in summarizing what you need to know about the storyline prior to reading it, but there are a couple of other things you might want to know:
*It's dual POV, and the story switches effortlessly back and forth between Josh and Mary, the two main characters.
*The author makes clever use of flashbacks to show the development of their relationship.
This book deals with some incredibly serious issues, and I felt every emotion imaginable while reading it. It tackles head on the issue of extreme loss and the raw pain (physically and emotionally) that comes as a result.
The whole topic of PTSD hits home for me on a personal level. I've suffered from it -- not to this extent and not for the same reasons -- but I've experienced it for myself. I was definitely able to relate to the characters in this story.
Needless to say, this is not lighthearted reading. Not in the least. But it's a story that so many people desperately need to read.
It's about finding hope when all hope is gone. It's about learning how to move on when your whole life has been destroyed. It's about learning to love yourself all over again, as well as once again allowing yourself to be loved by others.
Just know that this is an exceptionally good book. I have read countless books in my life, but I can guarantee you that I will NEVER forget this one.
I know that it will touch the lives of many people. I know it touched mine.
You would do yourself a HUGE disservice by not reading it.
I will gladly and eagerly read anything this author writes in the future.
August 23, 2019
Alone in the Light is a devastatingly beautiful book. Bass so clearly captures the impact of PTSD, survivor's guilt, and the struggle to accept love back in your life. While this book is fiction, I believe it tells the story of so many of our service men and women and brings light to the struggle of returning to normal after suffering tragedy. I highly recommend this book. It is a book that will stay with you long after you read the last page.
January 9, 2020
I loved and hated this book. I loved this book because it's well written and well read (the audiobook is fantastic!); I hated it because it hurts. We all know a Josh, Tim, Mary and Todd.
Alone In The Light is a real life look into the war in Iraq, the day to day lives of the men and women serving in the armed forces and the aftermath of their experiences once they are back to civilian life. I don't normally enjoy timelines that jump around but this indie author (and the narrators) really bounce back and forth with ease and transparency, making the stories blend flawlessly.
My basic rating system; (every story starts a five star and then I deduct for the following-but this story is great and I didn't deduct any starts)
POV-this story is told from the POV of both Josh and Mary. It's easy to tell whose head you're in because the narrators. Benjamin Bass does a great job of writing both masculine and feminine characters.
Realistic Dialogue-I love the cantor, humor and relatability of this author. The dialogue is realistic and flows.
Predictability-Because this book is based on real life and real life can be brutal I wasn't 100% sure how it was going to come together. The author does a great job bringing the story lines together and wrapping the ending up where the reader isn't still sobbing and has hope for humanity.
Alone In The Light is a real life look into the war in Iraq, the day to day lives of the men and women serving in the armed forces and the aftermath of their experiences once they are back to civilian life. I don't normally enjoy timelines that jump around but this indie author (and the narrators) really bounce back and forth with ease and transparency, making the stories blend flawlessly.
My basic rating system; (every story starts a five star and then I deduct for the following-but this story is great and I didn't deduct any starts)
POV-this story is told from the POV of both Josh and Mary. It's easy to tell whose head you're in because the narrators. Benjamin Bass does a great job of writing both masculine and feminine characters.
Realistic Dialogue-I love the cantor, humor and relatability of this author. The dialogue is realistic and flows.
Predictability-Because this book is based on real life and real life can be brutal I wasn't 100% sure how it was going to come together. The author does a great job bringing the story lines together and wrapping the ending up where the reader isn't still sobbing and has hope for humanity.
March 20, 2020
Memorable characters and solid storyline.
A 6* book. One of the best I've read in a very long time. Benjamin does an excellent job of alternating perspectives between Mary and Josh, and between past and present. As a military veteran I felt transported back into the familiar mindset and banter of military living. A great read. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
A 6* book. One of the best I've read in a very long time. Benjamin does an excellent job of alternating perspectives between Mary and Josh, and between past and present. As a military veteran I felt transported back into the familiar mindset and banter of military living. A great read. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
April 19, 2020
Loved this one. The protagonist will capture your heart.
January 9, 2021
Very good book. Is always difficult for one, who has not been involved at all in war or military, to imagine everything that a soldier has to go through after being deployed, more specifically, after being involved in or near casualties and great trauma. I think this book gives a very good insight into how veterans live and suffer.
January 6, 2020
Alone in the Light is a uniquely written book featuring Josh, a man struggling to adapt to life after being a soldier. The story is written in an interesting style with each chapter focusing on both Josh's present life and his time in the military. As a person who rarely enjoys books involving time jumps, I found Bass's way of handling them intriguing. Rather than weigh the story down, they provided necessary insight into how the character ended up where he did.
Josh is a real character. There are no punches pulled as he tries to assimilate back into civilian life. Anyone who is or has been in the military will be able to relate to Josh on some level. Mary is a strong character who I could relate to easily. She doesn't suddenly become helpless when she falls in love. She doesn't excuse his behavior either. Their relationship is tangible, real, and at times frustrating.
The story is listed as a war fiction novel, and it is, but there is also a strong romance element to the story. So much so that I recommend it to romance readers who are looking for something different to read. Particularly to those who enjoy the second chance romance sub-genre.
Josh is a real character. There are no punches pulled as he tries to assimilate back into civilian life. Anyone who is or has been in the military will be able to relate to Josh on some level. Mary is a strong character who I could relate to easily. She doesn't suddenly become helpless when she falls in love. She doesn't excuse his behavior either. Their relationship is tangible, real, and at times frustrating.
The story is listed as a war fiction novel, and it is, but there is also a strong romance element to the story. So much so that I recommend it to romance readers who are looking for something different to read. Particularly to those who enjoy the second chance romance sub-genre.
August 21, 2019
It’s not every day that I read a story that I simply can’t stop talking about. Benjamin W. Bass’ Alone in the Light is one such story.
As I reader, I was able to enter a world completely foreign to me. My father is a Navy Veteran and served in the National Guard. My best friend is also a Navy Veteran. De facto, I’ve visited the VA hospitals in Perry Point and Baltimore on several occasions and have a vicarious understanding of the hell veterans go through to simply receive decent care in this country.
All that being said, the world and experience of a Veteran suffering from PTSD, is one completely foreign to me. This despite having an uncle who is a Marine Veteran with PTSD. The experience is something he’s never talked about.
Benjamin W. Bass masterfully places the reader right there with Josh and Mary. Josh deals with PTSD directly and we see him hit rock bottom. Mary deals with an incredible amount of loss and the difficulty of adjusting to life after service. In both instances, Mr. Bass places the reader right there in the action and drama of the experience. Through both of their present tense, first-person narratives, I can, vicariously, understand the psychology, the emotion, and the trauma that comes with life after military service.
This story could have very easily been a repetitive cycle of flashbacks and downward spirals. But it’s not. The story builds and develops as the characters are trying desperately to keep their lives together, to hold onto what they’ve lost, and move forward with life. In some instances they are stuck, in others, they plunge forward. Through it all, I felt like I was a part of their experience. I think the choice of first-person narrative and present tense helps with making the reader a present participant of the drama unfolding.
But, don’t say this is just a story about PTSD. It’s so much more than that. It’s a story about Josh and Mary, two very human characters, finding each other and lighting each other’s lives in the midsts of darkness. It’s a story about them losing each other again and suffering through some very dark times. Then, a story about finding each other again and struggling to pick up where they’ve left off. Only, everything has changed.
As I reader, I was able to enter a world completely foreign to me. My father is a Navy Veteran and served in the National Guard. My best friend is also a Navy Veteran. De facto, I’ve visited the VA hospitals in Perry Point and Baltimore on several occasions and have a vicarious understanding of the hell veterans go through to simply receive decent care in this country.
All that being said, the world and experience of a Veteran suffering from PTSD, is one completely foreign to me. This despite having an uncle who is a Marine Veteran with PTSD. The experience is something he’s never talked about.
Benjamin W. Bass masterfully places the reader right there with Josh and Mary. Josh deals with PTSD directly and we see him hit rock bottom. Mary deals with an incredible amount of loss and the difficulty of adjusting to life after service. In both instances, Mr. Bass places the reader right there in the action and drama of the experience. Through both of their present tense, first-person narratives, I can, vicariously, understand the psychology, the emotion, and the trauma that comes with life after military service.
This story could have very easily been a repetitive cycle of flashbacks and downward spirals. But it’s not. The story builds and develops as the characters are trying desperately to keep their lives together, to hold onto what they’ve lost, and move forward with life. In some instances they are stuck, in others, they plunge forward. Through it all, I felt like I was a part of their experience. I think the choice of first-person narrative and present tense helps with making the reader a present participant of the drama unfolding.
But, don’t say this is just a story about PTSD. It’s so much more than that. It’s a story about Josh and Mary, two very human characters, finding each other and lighting each other’s lives in the midsts of darkness. It’s a story about them losing each other again and suffering through some very dark times. Then, a story about finding each other again and struggling to pick up where they’ve left off. Only, everything has changed.
November 12, 2019
Heart-wrenching examination of the toll of military combat on veterans as they return to civilian life as well as a relatable tale of two lost souls who attempt to find common ground as they try to figure out their own path in the world. The novel takes us inside the minds of our protagonists, Josh and Mary, through alternating narratives as well as flashbacks to their army days. This storytelling device adds emotional depth as we see them in happier times contrasted with their struggles after leaving service. It also gives us insight into the problems of understanding and reaching out to other people when we are dealing with our own demons. Became a real page-turner for me as I became invested in the characters and the ultimate outcome of their story. The author's own experiences obviously inform and enrich the realistic portrayal of mental health struggles that will be very recognizable not only to veterans but to anyone who has or knows someone who has PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety. Recommend for fans of heartfelt fiction with its authentic mix of romance and realism that left me both moved and ultimately uplifted.
November 16, 2019
Great book
I don't write many reviews, but having finished this book around veterans day I am compelled to.
I am not a veteran but have tremendous respect for those who are. I will always be grateful to those that serve and protect the way of life I enjoy.
This book provided a glimpse of what our soldiers face while serving, then when they return to civilian life. It seems as if returning to civilian life is as much of a battle as combat.
Thank you Mr Bass for writing this book so that those of us who have not served might have a better understanding of what our soldiers face when they return home.
I don't write many reviews, but having finished this book around veterans day I am compelled to.
I am not a veteran but have tremendous respect for those who are. I will always be grateful to those that serve and protect the way of life I enjoy.
This book provided a glimpse of what our soldiers face while serving, then when they return to civilian life. It seems as if returning to civilian life is as much of a battle as combat.
Thank you Mr Bass for writing this book so that those of us who have not served might have a better understanding of what our soldiers face when they return home.
November 15, 2019
One of the best books that I have read this year and it's not only dramatic powerful and very genius from start to finish but it's just an brilliant read all around.
I have to say with some amazing writing from Benjamin W. Bass and all I have to say without giving much away other than me saying that this is really worth checking out cause you'll cheer and cry while enduring an journey that you can't miss out on reading.
I have to say with some amazing writing from Benjamin W. Bass and all I have to say without giving much away other than me saying that this is really worth checking out cause you'll cheer and cry while enduring an journey that you can't miss out on reading.
July 15, 2020
I give the emotional story in this 3 stars, the writing issues are a 2 stars.
didn’t like: points deducted for prologue.
so much first person narration when dialogue and action would have been way better.
why put two different time periods in one chapter??? that's confusing. also jumping around not only between two characters but also between present day and past is confusing anyway.
example of narration that should have been dialogue between the two people instead: ‘he tells me I am one of only eighty veterans…’
the emotional components of veteran suicide and ptsd could have been delved into much more deeply. another thing that could have been given a deeper dive is the numerous and endless frustrations in dealing with the VA (other than getting prescribed skin cream and being unable to change your shipping address).
like: veteran suicide, ptsd, the love story, the emotional story was pretty darn good and would have been better had the writing issues been less.
didn’t like: points deducted for prologue.
so much first person narration when dialogue and action would have been way better.
why put two different time periods in one chapter??? that's confusing. also jumping around not only between two characters but also between present day and past is confusing anyway.
example of narration that should have been dialogue between the two people instead: ‘he tells me I am one of only eighty veterans…’
the emotional components of veteran suicide and ptsd could have been delved into much more deeply. another thing that could have been given a deeper dive is the numerous and endless frustrations in dealing with the VA (other than getting prescribed skin cream and being unable to change your shipping address).
like: veteran suicide, ptsd, the love story, the emotional story was pretty darn good and would have been better had the writing issues been less.
September 9, 2019
This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story of love, loss, hope and dealing with life burdened by PTSD. I cannot stress enough how important this book is. It made me cry more than once. I fell in love with the main character and his struggles with which I identify, having PTSD myself. The beauty of the words, the impact of the dialogue, the impact of the internal monologue, they're all there. If you or someone you love suffers from PTSD, this is the read for you. If you're after an unbelievably romantic story, this is the read for you. I could never thank this author enough for writing his story.
October 21, 2019
I have read this twice now, I was so eager to find out what happened to the characters, I felt as though my initial time with them was too brief.
I have not experienced the theater of battle nor have I served with the military (I’m quite sure going to school on post doesn’t count) however, everything was written with such clarity and depth, I was immediately immersed in a world otherwise foreign to me.
Thank you to the author for pulling from his own experience and putting it so brilliantly on the page.
I have not experienced the theater of battle nor have I served with the military (I’m quite sure going to school on post doesn’t count) however, everything was written with such clarity and depth, I was immediately immersed in a world otherwise foreign to me.
Thank you to the author for pulling from his own experience and putting it so brilliantly on the page.
August 13, 2019
It’s rare to find a book that tackles PTSD with the rawness that it needs but this is that book. There is no shying away from the darkness that PTSD generates but underneath that, there is a tale of the utter resilience of the human spirit, the importance of connectedness and the long process of healing. Bass writes with a genuine heart and knowledge of the topic of hand and still maintaining a strong spirit of hope.
This book should be required reading and I cannot recommend it enough.
This book should be required reading and I cannot recommend it enough.
September 9, 2019
A five star read
This is a beautiful and moving book. The writing is simple and compelling. Family and friendship relationships are drawn with clarity and insight. It’s a moving and credible exploration of PTSD and how war affects people and their relationships. The point of view switches between the two main characters, but this is helpful rather than intrusive. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This is a beautiful and moving book. The writing is simple and compelling. Family and friendship relationships are drawn with clarity and insight. It’s a moving and credible exploration of PTSD and how war affects people and their relationships. The point of view switches between the two main characters, but this is helpful rather than intrusive. I look forward to reading more from this author.
August 21, 2019
An amazing book with honesty into a very tough subject that many of our friends and families have to live with and go through daily. Here is one of the more upfront and real depictions of PTSD that I've read. The writing is phenomenal and moving. So much so that my eyes did water at more than a few parts.
This is a definite must read! I can not recommend this book enough!
This is a definite must read! I can not recommend this book enough!
September 20, 2019
This is a beautiful and moving book. The writing is simple and compelling. Family and friendship relationships are drawn with clarity and insight. It’s a moving and credible exploration of PTSD and how war affects people and their relationships. The point of view switches between the two main characters, but this is helpful rather than intrusive. I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 19, 2019
Excellent book dealing with PTSD of soldiers and loss of love and hope. Beautifully written book.
September 25, 2019
Absolutely Marvelous!!
October 2, 2019
This is a beautiful, well-written story. Military fiction isn’t usually my thing, but I would recommend this book to just about anyone.
October 15, 2019
Read this book
I see so much of my nephews in this book. Thank you!
Well written. I think it is an excellent book for all of us, who stayed at home.
I see so much of my nephews in this book. Thank you!
Well written. I think it is an excellent book for all of us, who stayed at home.
March 16, 2020
Amazing book! A must read.
Read
February 24, 2020MWSA Review
The first thing that grabs the reader is the use of two first-person narrators, which allows us to see and feel opposing perspectives of the story. These narrators are equally strong and emerge as equally developed characters. Yet the narrator voices are distinct and believable with one male and one female. They are so believable we must remind ourselves this is fiction. Through the male narrator Josh, the author allows us to experience his PTSD without frill or melodrama. It’s not pretty, it’s sometimes brutal, but it’s real and alive in our face. Through the female narrator Mary, we experience the impact of Josh’s new reality on others. It’s also not pretty, but it’s so human that we relate and cry and get mad and become irritated just as Mary does.
Supporting characters are well done also: Josh’s brother Bill who loves in spite of Josh’s spite, the fragility of friend Tim, the quirkiness of temporary girlfriend Carrie, the coldness of the moms, the warmth of Mary’s dad, the inhumanity of Adam the dick and even the concern of Charlotte the art teacher. Every character in the story brings depth to the story and adds a different perspective, adds complexity.
The next thing that grabs us are the worlds colliding. The author starts with how the world changes for Josh and Mary after Josh loses his leg. Then we see how the world changes for people after seeing combat and how their former worlds back home do not. We see how the military world, especially that of a wounded vet, careens into the civilian world of holiday dinners and parties. We come to live in the internal worlds of Josh and Mary as they struggle to make sense of what is and is not happening. This collision of worlds is perfectly accentuated by the shifting back and forth between the voices of two narrators, the time of both past and present, and the locations of Indiana and Iraq. Sometimes this shifting is confusing. The author uses subheadings to help us keep track of who is talking and where we are.
The craft of the story is subtle, simple beauty. The Prologue is sheer poetry with its details of the mundane, to the horror of getting blown up, to the emergence of a new world: “I open my mouth and it is filled with the saltwater tang of the blackness flooding me. I feel like I am drowning. I fear I am dead. There is a light. It is everywhere. It is all around me. I am alone.” This imagery of light emerges throughout in different contexts.
The writing remains honest, straightforward, and fluid—no straining after metaphors, no overwriting. This might be one of the best books about a post-traumatic reaction. It's a powerful story, compelling, wrenching, and finally uplifting.
Review by Gail Summers (February 2020)
The first thing that grabs the reader is the use of two first-person narrators, which allows us to see and feel opposing perspectives of the story. These narrators are equally strong and emerge as equally developed characters. Yet the narrator voices are distinct and believable with one male and one female. They are so believable we must remind ourselves this is fiction. Through the male narrator Josh, the author allows us to experience his PTSD without frill or melodrama. It’s not pretty, it’s sometimes brutal, but it’s real and alive in our face. Through the female narrator Mary, we experience the impact of Josh’s new reality on others. It’s also not pretty, but it’s so human that we relate and cry and get mad and become irritated just as Mary does.
Supporting characters are well done also: Josh’s brother Bill who loves in spite of Josh’s spite, the fragility of friend Tim, the quirkiness of temporary girlfriend Carrie, the coldness of the moms, the warmth of Mary’s dad, the inhumanity of Adam the dick and even the concern of Charlotte the art teacher. Every character in the story brings depth to the story and adds a different perspective, adds complexity.
The next thing that grabs us are the worlds colliding. The author starts with how the world changes for Josh and Mary after Josh loses his leg. Then we see how the world changes for people after seeing combat and how their former worlds back home do not. We see how the military world, especially that of a wounded vet, careens into the civilian world of holiday dinners and parties. We come to live in the internal worlds of Josh and Mary as they struggle to make sense of what is and is not happening. This collision of worlds is perfectly accentuated by the shifting back and forth between the voices of two narrators, the time of both past and present, and the locations of Indiana and Iraq. Sometimes this shifting is confusing. The author uses subheadings to help us keep track of who is talking and where we are.
The craft of the story is subtle, simple beauty. The Prologue is sheer poetry with its details of the mundane, to the horror of getting blown up, to the emergence of a new world: “I open my mouth and it is filled with the saltwater tang of the blackness flooding me. I feel like I am drowning. I fear I am dead. There is a light. It is everywhere. It is all around me. I am alone.” This imagery of light emerges throughout in different contexts.
The writing remains honest, straightforward, and fluid—no straining after metaphors, no overwriting. This might be one of the best books about a post-traumatic reaction. It's a powerful story, compelling, wrenching, and finally uplifting.
Review by Gail Summers (February 2020)
September 30, 2022
Josh hoped that going back to college would bring him peace, but the fact is, he's been drinking more than ever in order to sleep and forget. After serving in the National Guard in Iraq and losing a leg and a friend, he's been plagued with anger and loss. It's hard to move forward when you're stuck in the past and it's hard to function without booze when you're constantly reliving your darkest moments.
Mary is ready for a fresh start and she's ready to look to the future at IU. Inspired by her military friend and love of her life, Josh, she has decided to pursue art and escape living with her mother. Neither Mary nor Josh have seen each other since they were serving together overseas. Are they destined to meet back up at IU and if so will the reunion be joyous or painful?
The story is told from alternating perspectives between Josh and Mary and jumps back and forth from their time in Iraq to their time on campus at IU. A harrowing look at PTSD, death, traumatic injuries, alcoholism, and veteran suicide offset with hope, self-love, and forgiveness.
Mary is ready for a fresh start and she's ready to look to the future at IU. Inspired by her military friend and love of her life, Josh, she has decided to pursue art and escape living with her mother. Neither Mary nor Josh have seen each other since they were serving together overseas. Are they destined to meet back up at IU and if so will the reunion be joyous or painful?
The story is told from alternating perspectives between Josh and Mary and jumps back and forth from their time in Iraq to their time on campus at IU. A harrowing look at PTSD, death, traumatic injuries, alcoholism, and veteran suicide offset with hope, self-love, and forgiveness.
February 27, 2020
Josh and Mary's story sheds much-needed and articulate light on the possible situations surrounding the return of veterans from active duty service. In this fictionalized account, the reader/listener has a front-row seat to the mental gymnastics those with PTSD encounter, from suicidal thoughts to new daily annoyances, as they strive (some more than others) to pick their civilian lives back up. I connected well with both main characters and the secondary characters were well-drawn as well. This story has improved my understanding of those with PTSD and brought me to tears twice (visiting the gravesite and Bill's prayer). If someone you love struggles with these types of issues, you owe it to yourself and them to enter this world for a bit.
January 23, 2020
A man's struggle through the trauma of war to the light of love
This book gives us all a look at something many Veterans are facing today, the effects of war. We get a look at Josh's life before and after he is wounded. We learn how hard his daily struggle really is. We also learn that some can't handle the struggles. This book is a Great read. It will lead you through happiness, sadness, and anger to love.
This book gives us all a look at something many Veterans are facing today, the effects of war. We get a look at Josh's life before and after he is wounded. We learn how hard his daily struggle really is. We also learn that some can't handle the struggles. This book is a Great read. It will lead you through happiness, sadness, and anger to love.
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