The Lightkeeper

By: Sherry Shenoda

Narrated by: Sherry Shenoda

In this hauntingly beautiful novel, a nameless Lightkeeper, ageless and outside of time, is pulled through time to tend lighthouses on far shores, battling danger, loneliness, uncertainty, and despair. What begins as the burial of a lighthouse keeper on a routine assignment soon transforms into the greatest adventure of her life and a path to a more distant shore. Through this journey she learns what it means to be human and to love, especially when death is a certainty.

©2021 Sherry Shenoda (P)2022 Sherry Shenoda

A powerful story

I struggle to decide where to start when writing a review for this book. I laughed often, and I often came close to tears. I found it very beautifully written, the plot intriguing, and I will definitely be reading it again. I'm still working through the parable side of this in my head. It's not something that comes through in its entirety, at least for me, in the first reading. Also, I read the audiobook version, and I tend to do better with a visual reading experience, though I enjoyed this more than other audiobook experiences I have had.

One negative point for me was the portrayal of Christopher Columbus, which I do not agree with, but will not go into detail.
The other was the descriptive romance. It wasn't too much, but I personally prefer those descriptions to be a little more discrete.

As for the audiobook itself, as I said, it was better than others I have tried. There were some phrases I had to go over multiple times to understand, and some words I never could quite make out, but that may have just been me. I will be reading this again in a hard copy in the not-too-distant future!

Moving

Just what I needed. Comforting, Christian, bold and vivid. This is amazing for a first time author.

Perfect combination of challenge and comfort

I read The Lightkeeper during the dark winter days of February, and it was exactly what I needed: an exciting storyline, strong existential themes, and the kind of characters that you find yourself getting attached to.

The Christian spiritual themes of the book were beautifully woven within fantasy and practical human experience—and I would say that’s one area where I tend to be the most “picky” in my reading. You don’t get trite platitudes in this story, which I greatly appreciate. And Shenoda’s approach to illuminating these profound concepts within the story makes them accessible.

I especially appreciated the theme of being seen and unseen and the theme of life’s uncertainty.

I noticed another reviewer here commented a personal preference that they wished the romance was more discrete. If I can offer another perspective as far as my own preferences, I would say it’s more discrete than something like a romance novel. I wasn’t concerned that my kids would overhear if they came into the room where I was listening, but I wouldn’t have them actively listening or reading the book until their late teens.

Finally, I’d like to mention that at first, I felt like the book started slowly and with almost painful attention to detail…then as the story continued I realized that’s exactly how it needed to begin! The pace picks up, and I will probably reread the first bit to really absorb all the details again.

Wonderful orthodox fiction

The Lightkeeper is a beauriful fantasy/romance from a new orthodox author, Sherry Shenoda. This was a great audio book and the narrator is the author which I believe always adds so much to a book because the author generally knows where she wants emphasis or change in tone and what it should be, and Sherry Shenoda has this soothing voice that really goes along with the fact that the story itself is soothing. In a descriptive style that is both beautiful and complex we learn of the lightkeeper the woman who takes care of lighthouses and she moves from one shore to another. I did listen and enjoy the audio book, but it is a book that i recommend reading the print copy while your listening. I don’t think thats necessary or even helpful for all books, but the descriptive story is such that using sight as well as sound will benefit many readers.

This is a great book for anyone of the Orthodox faith, or other faiths as well. It is a bit of a romance but not to the point where it would detract from reading it as a fantasy. Sophia, wisdom, is a character in the book and probably my favorite character. There is so much that is packed into this book, its not a huge book, it is under 300 pages, but it has more stories than many much longer tomes.

Bittersweet, mostly sweet.

What a beautiful story. The writing is exceptional, and the author’s narration perfect for the story. So sweet and tender but also makes me want to cry. One of the best books I’ve ever read (and listened to) in my life.

Marvelous

This is an exceptional story, filled with light and beauty, simple joys and deep sorrows, and a delightful, unexpected ending. Highly recommended.

Worth Listening to - more than once

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review, and when I listened to Sherry Shenoda’s “The Lightkeeper,” it was with eager anticipation as I had read others’ reviews of the novel. I really liked the idea of a book that included mystery, time travel, romance, and that little bit of something more that meant it would be more than just “fluff.” I was not disappointed.

I tend to listen to audible books on a greater rate of speed than is typically narrated (anywhere from 1.2 if with my children to 2.0 if I’m trying to get through a longer book); I listened to this one at the rate that Ms. Shenoda read it, and I found it enjoyable to do so. Though I typically prefer male narrators, Ms. Shenoda’s voice is pleasant to listen to, and it is easy to grow comfortable with her style and pacing.

What I loved about the novel was that it kept me engaged from beginning to end, and what I hated was that it ended - I wanted more of the characters, more of their stories (especially more peripheral characters), and more time. Of course, the book is about time, so wanting more only makes sense - the characters wanted more also. It was also beautifully written and I found my own use of language bolstered by the listen (in the same way that occurs with more classic novels). I found myself wishing I could “bookmark” certain phrases, observations, or quotations from Herodotus (there are plenty of these and they make you want to go from this book to reading that one), but when listening, all a person can do is enjoy the ride, soak it in, and hope to go back again some day - and I will. I have recommended this book to many others, and I have purchased it once or twice as gifts, and I highly recommend it.

Beautiful story, calming narration

This is one of my favorite books, which I first read in print. It’s a beautiful story and I go back to it often. She has a lovely, calming (but also whimsical) voice and I like to listen to it when I’m falling asleep.