The Raw Light of Morning

by Shelly Kawaja

The Raw Light of Morning is a powerful debut novel about one family's search for love and healing in the aftermath of domestic violence.

Winner of the 2022 BMO Winterset Award.

In her house at the back end of Woods Road, fourteen-year-old Laurel does something unimaginable. She commits an act of violence that fractures her family and forces them from their home. They move to a housing unit in the nearby town of Stephenville, where they find themselves trapped in a system of poverty, generational neglect, and trauma. For Laurel, education is her ticket out. But years later, in university, her violent past catches up with her. This time she has to save herself and she can't do it alone.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Canada

248 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2022

Reviews

[Digitally Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily: I’ve rated “The Raw Light of Morning” by Shelley Kewaja 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

But before we get into why I will preface my review and start out with a warning. This book deals with some heavy topics, including alcoholism, sexual assault, domestic violence, and death. This could be upsetting for those reading, so please to be cautious.

This book was horrifying. Amazing. Saddening. And way too real in some ways. 14 year old Laurel is experiencing another night of her mom and stepfather fighting, with her stepfather abusing her mother. But this time he takes it too far, and in the heat of the moment to try and save her mother Laurel shoots him. A fresh start is what Laurel needs, but memories haunt her, and she can only push them so far away.

I think if I could give any book more than 5 stars this book would be one of them. This book was a really hard read for me, I won't lie. I've been in some of these situations before, and this book is so real and so blunt that it was shocking to me. This book was so well written, and it's an honest look at what some women may face even years after the abuse.

I would recommend this book 100 times over. Honest. I was beyond impressed with this read, and I blew through it pretty quick. It's a page turner for sure, and I really just wanted to see how this all ended for Laurel and her family. I find reading a book like this gives me hope, and can likely give others hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I will end this by just leaving a little note. You do not deserve to be abused, nobody does. There is help out there, and in P.E.I. the gateway to help is by calling 211 and going from there. The Anderson House is also an option if you need to leave a situation quickly but have nowhere to go. You are loved, and you deserve everything in the world. But abuse is not something you deserve or should be tolerated by anybody.

[David]

A hard, hopeful story. No one should ever have to experience much of what Laurel Long survives before she's 20. Details are very evocative, recalling my own brief trips to Stephenville and Corner Brook quite thoroughly. It's not entirely sad or entirely happy; I think what disturbs me most is the harshness of life that the novel portrays as common enough to a majority of people. As I've felt about many a recent novel set in Newfoundland, it is "my place" but it's not my experience.

[Sylvia Mannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to this book, at the 20th Annual Writers at Woody Point this past summer. Author Shelly Kawaja, had the opportunity to do three readings at various venues at the festival, and her brief clips perked an interest for me to find out more about Laurel’s story. I enjoyed reading this wonderful debut book, and it certainly did not disappoint!
From a violent incident at a young age, Laurel goes through her adolescent years, with even more traumatic experiences, but manages to hang on & forge ahead on a path to better life. A fabulous cast of characters are introduced along her journey, especially her little brother Bud. Laurel’s relationship with her Mother comes full circle, and the inspiring ending gives me hope that Laurel has and will continue to break free from the only cycle of life circumstances she’s ever known.
Cheers to Shelly Kawaja for weaving such a heartfelt story 💗💗💗

[Crazy Cat Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone from the Stephenville area, I was dying to love this book. I loved seeing well-known “town” locations such as Lee’s Takeout, the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital, St Stephen’s High School, and Danny’s Bakery mentioned in print. Although some of the locations I believe the author invented which, for some reason, was super off-putting for me. We never had a Foodland, for example. The grocery store was called the Food Centre. And, as far as I know, there was never an apartment block called The Crown. It’s petty, I know.

But this book is boring! It’s well written and has a fantastic premise but it’s so, so, sooooo very boring! I started reading on July 1. Six days later I had only gotten to the 38% mark. I just couldn’t go any further.

Perhaps it picks up in 200 more pages but I didn’t stick around to find out.

[Stephanie Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The daily struggle to find one's self- one's voice against all the chaos in Laurel’s life is astounding. She changes the way the reader sees generational trauma. Generations can pass down trauma and its outcomes but it can also pass down resiliency and strength. Laurel and her mother’s ability to destroy what threatens their family and continue to show love in their own strange way is inspiring.
Her story is a testament of establishing your own life, shaking off the old person, and coming into your new self despite family trauma.

[Glenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Laurel, a teen who has lost her father and finds herself having to deal with her mother's abusive boyfriend. In effort to protect her mother, she commits an action that changes everyone's lives. The family has to move and finds themselves living in a low-income housing project where it gets far too easy to fall between the cracks as they all try to move forward without properly dealing with the issues.
An honest look at the pressures put on the oldest child of single parent families and the both the importance and pitfalls of childhood friends.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!! As someone who attended Grenfell University in Corner Brook, and has spent lots of time in Stephenville, this book hits close to home. It's full of nostalgia and paired with an amazing story comprised of characters that I want to know and am rooting for! I wasn't ready for Laurals story to end because in many ways I felt like it was just beginning. I have questions! I look forward to your future books Shelly.

[Ashley Buckle · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having a copy of The Raw Light of Morning for over a month, I finally picked it up to read.... and I could not stop. I read a few pages the night before last and last night I devoured the rest of it. It was such a raw and beautiful story, and Shelly's writing is incredible- I hung on to every word.

[Sue Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! After picking it up to read, I didn’t want to put it down until finished. A story about a young girl from small town Newfoundland and her daily challenges. She keeps moving through all her challenges to survive. Shelly’s writing is amazing and keeps you captivated. Well done Shelly👏 looking forward to another novel written by you.

[Violet Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far from my own personal experience but hit so close to home. Because the real story is in the relationships. I heard Shelly read at the Breakwater book launch and when I read that passage in the book I felt like I came upon a friend. A friend in terror and in need but I knew her.
Highly recommend.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first book by this Newfoundland author, set in Stephenville and Corner Brook, Newfoundland. The characters were realistic and I was drawn into their lives from the first page. Looking forward to more books from this author!

[Birdhound · Rating 5 out of 5]

A galloping heartbreak of a book.

[Breanna Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. Such a great read and a story about right here at home. Definitely recommend

[Harold Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Yes sir.

[Cathy Regular · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.9/5.0

"You need to love the dark parts too, Laurel. You need to love the dark parts most of all.

[Shanda Slipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it from start to finish - couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!

[Dawn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! I couldn't put it down.

[Sabyasachi Nag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully crafted. Tense as a wire...it's a challenge not to finish it once you start.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true work of art. I loved everything about it, from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down. Shellys writing is so powerful and captivating. Highly recommend!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Yvonne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure what the point was
Not memorable
Read for BookClub

[zoey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!