We Are the Light

A Novel

By: Matthew Quick

Narrated by: Luke Kirby

*“A treasure of a novel…read it and be healed.”—Justin Cronin * “Beautifully written and emotion-packed.”—Harlan Coben *

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook—made into the Academy Award-winning movie starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper—a poignant and hopeful novel about a widower who takes in a grieving teenager and inspires a magical revival in their small town.

Lucas Goodgame lives in Majestic, Pennsylvania, a quaint suburb that has been torn apart by a recent tragedy. Everyone in Majestic sees Lucas as a hero—everyone, that is, except Lucas himself. Insisting that his deceased wife, Darcy, visits him every night in the form of an angel, Lucas spends his time writing letters to his former Jungian analyst, Karl. It is only when Eli, an eighteen-year-old young man whom the community has ostracized, begins camping out in Lucas’s backyard that an unlikely alliance takes shape and the two embark on a journey to heal their neighbors and, most importantly, themselves.

From Matthew Quick, whose work has been described by the Boston Herald as “like going to your favorite restaurant. You just know it is going to be good,” We Are the Light is “a testament to the broken and the rebuilt” (Booklist, starred review). The humorous, soul-baring story of Lucas Goodgame offers an antidote to toxic masculinity and celebrates the healing power of art. In this unforgettable and optimistic tale, Quick reminds us that life is full of guardian angels.

©2022 Matthew Quick (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Matthew Quick’s latest novel, told through letters written by Lucas Goodgame, is brought to life by Luke Kirby’s heartrending narration. Kirby is the voice of Lucas, who is reading letters written to Karl, his Jungian analyst, as Lucan tries to cope with the tragedy that shattered his life and the lives of all the citizens of Majestic, Pennsylvania. Kirby lets listeners feel Lucas’s hurt and frustration as his letters go unanswered and he questions the title “hero” that the town bestowed on him. Kirby speaks with wonder as Lucas recounts events that reaffirm how forgiveness and the support of community can rekindle hope and healing. Even as delivered in Lucas’s letters, important supporting characters’ personalities come through loud and clear."—AudioFile Magazine

Grief and Healing

A town dealing with a horrific tragedy and a man who overcomes his mental illness and helps the town and himself heal.

amazing twists and turns until the end

amazing twists and turns until the end. we come full circle, but in a crazy fashion

Incredible!

What an incredible book. So well written. Sad. Mindful. Soulful. All in one character. Special ending.

Very intense

This is a very serious and intense subject matter. I was drawn in and finished in two sittings. I felt the emotion and wanted to cry at the end although the ending was positive. A powerful listen that will carry with you for days. Most of us will never live through such a horrific situation and see the death of loved ones in this manner thankfully. I can’t see how anyone would ever be normal again. Wow.

Sweet story

Sweet story about love, tragedy and the art of self analysis through coping, after a life changing experience.

Laughter and Tears…so good

This book was so moving. It speaks of the power of making meaning out of suffering and connection through belonging.

Grab a tissue

A tough but beautiful story of incredible pain, mourning, support, and moving toward healing. Wonderfully narrated.

Imaginative, Well-Written, Worth the Listen

I recommend re-listening to the first hour or two. I had to bail, but I returned to give the book my best attention. The story is about people in a small American town who suffered a sudden violent loss. The book is about healing, kind people who help one another, and things working out quite well after all.

Powerful.

First understand that it’s impossible to write a review that adequately reflects the power and depth of this story. It’s a story the reverberates with the human experience of transformation, transcendence.

The author gently unpacks what should be but isn’t a jarring story. The ending is fitting and I loved it.

Sob-bing!

Such a beautiful story that’s even more beautifully written. The narrator was wonderful as well. I highly recommend “!