A Certain Slant Of Light by Laura Whitcomb

A Certain Slant Of Light by Laura Whitcomb
Release Date: 21st September, 2005
Publisher: Graphia
Pages: 282
Buy The Book: Amazon



"In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: for the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen—terrified, but intrigued—is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess."


I absolutely adore the concept behind this book. Helen is Light, a ghostly spirit, tied to a living being known as the Quick. She risks death when straying too far from her current human host. James occupies the body of one of the Quick - looking after his shell until the human's soul returns. I'll refrain from typing a synopsis of the story and instead I'll say that this original, beautifully written book should be a must on anyone's reading list!


The themes explored here are touching and emotional. A large theme of religion and Christianity running through the book will not be to everyone's tastes but it is easily overlooked in favour of the stunning notion of Light and Quick. There is some sexual content, but one of the most tastefully written scenes I have ever read. Again, trying not to give anything away but the ending left me with tears in my eyes! 


As this is a supernatural teen book, I've seen it compared to the Twilight series - all I can say that this novel is infinitely more sophisticated in the issues it delves into. The characters are wonderfully crafted and era-appropriate, the prose is fluid, lyrical and elegant. I would recommend this to anyone, teens and adults alike. Beautiful!