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Absolute Brightness

3.64 of 5 stars 3.64 · rating details · 537 ratings · 116 reviews

Darkness: Where light is not. Light: Brightness or illumination from a particular source.
Absolute brightness: The mystery of Leonard Pelkey.
This is the story of a luminous force of nature: a boy who encounters evil and whose magic isn't truly felt until he disappears.

Hardcover, 472 pages

Published February 5th 2008 by HarperTeen (first published February 1st 2008)

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Dec 22, 2008 Tasha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen

15-year-old Phoebe lives with her mother and older sister Deirdre in a house attached to her mother's beauty salon. Leonard, their uncle's stepson comes to live with them and neither of the girls is ready to give him even the slightest chance. It doesn't help that Leonard is unusual. He doesn't seem to care that his behavior may get him beat up or at the very least ignored by everyone. He goes ahead and wears the clothing he wants to, which include platform sneakers that he made himself. Leonard...more 15-year-old Phoebe lives with her mother and older sister Deirdre in a house attached to her mother's beauty salon. Leonard, their uncle's stepson comes to live with them and neither of the girls is ready to give him even the slightest chance. It doesn't help that Leonard is unusual. He doesn't seem to care that his behavior may get him beat up or at the very least ignored by everyone. He goes ahead and wears the clothing he wants to, which include platform sneakers that he made himself. Leonard quickly makes a place for himself, catering to the ladies who come to the salon, much to Phoebe's relief and dismay. When Leonard disappears, he leaves behind a huge hole in everyone's lives, Phoebe's most of all.

The writing here is nearly incandescent with beauty. It is writing that makes one pause, sometimes gasp, reread and then think for awhile. It is writing one reads aloud to another person just to hear the words spoken. It is the writing that makes this book so exceptional and such a gem of a novel. Here's just one passage amongst so many that shine:

I had suddenly realized that I didn't have the slightest idea who Travis was. For the past month, I'd been making up a picture of Travis in my head, and in the process I had refused any information about him that came to me from the real world. If it didn't fit with the picture of Travis that I already had in mind, I had no use for it. Travis Lembeck was my creation, my Frankenstein. Even the very real business of kissing him, smelling him, being pressed up against him in the dark couldn't disturb my fine-tuned, half-baked fantasy. Now with the revelation that he was going to join the service, that he blew up cyberpeople and destroyed cybervillages just for fun, the Travis I'd been cherishing in my heart suddenly seemed trumped-up. Like those life-size, cardboard cutouts of presidents and movie stars that you can stand beside and have your picture taken with so you can give everyone the impression that you hobnobbed with the genuine article.

Lecesne crafts realizations and sudden insights with such care. The novel is filled with corners that you round just to come upon a moment like this. It is appropriate that a novel that starts as a character study becomes a mystery and then a court drama. As Lecesne leads us through these conventional novel settings, he continues to write a book that surprises, quite an accomplishment. His characters are unconventional, interesting and thoroughly complex. They act like real humans, people you would know, and the joy is that you get to experience things through their eyes.

Highly recommended for teens ages 14-17, this novel is piercingly intelligent and will reflect your own life and choices back on you. (less)

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Apr 16, 2008 Kasia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: youngadult, queer-ish

I really wanted to like this book, and in the beginning I did. I think it is an important topic, I liked narrators voice, I liked that her reaction to Leonard seemed realistic, Leonard was adorable. I liked that it was set up as a mystery. HOWEVER. This book needed an editor more than any book I have ever read. There is no reason it needs to be almost 500 pages. I felt like the author was trying to cram in way too many topics that were not important to the core story of a hate crime (the Iraq wa...more

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Nov 06, 2011 Sarah Lozano rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, books-to-save-you

Honestly I read this book as a sixteen year old girl and I've never had a character speak for teenagers as well as Phoebe does.
Phoebe isn't your normal spoiled emo "average teenager" she is herself, besides her colorful hair Phoebe is pretty boring and normal. She's not use to change and she's still adjusting to her families divorce. When her cousin, Leonard, comes to live with her she's clearly bugged and hates him.
As a teenager you can relate a lot to Phoebe, because when your in her mind you...more

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Jan 27, 2009 West Region, added it

Shelves: highschool, glbt, ya, sexuality, realisticfiction

Absolute Brightness, by James Lecesne

It was just the three of them, mom who runs a beauty salon called “Hair Today”, Deidre – the gorgeous older sister who turns heads as she walks down the street, and Phoebe – the spiky fuchsia haired 9th grader who loves to read and wants life to just be normal. And then there was Leonard – who shows up on their doorstep, their 14 year old cousin who was wearing Capri pants (pink and lime green plaid) a too-small T-shirt, and a pair of shoes that were more lik...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Liviania rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS up from the library because the summary reminded me of two of my favorite books: WHAT HAPPENED TO LANI GARVER by Carol Plum-Ucci and LUCAS by Kevin Brooks.

ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS does have quite a bit in common with those novels, although it is the only one of the three in which the crime is solved. In fact, the novel is almost too neat. No story dealing with subjects as murky and messy as gay bashing, pedophilia/ephebophila, murder, and the death penalty should be that...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Jenni French rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-contemporary-fiction, age-5-grades-9-12, lgbtqia-lit

When Phoebe learns that her cousin Leonard is going to move in with her family, she is less than thrilled. When Leonard arrives and Phoebe discovers that Leonard is what some psychologists have called "pre-gay" (exhibiting all the signs of being gay without admitting to it), she is horrified. Leonard soon makes friends with Phoebe's mother's clients at her hair salon, transforming the way they look so that they feel beautiful. At school, however, Leonard is picked on. He is an outcast everywhere...more

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Jan 22, 2011 Alicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: abuse, boy, chicklit, glbt, mystery, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 28, 2010 Peter Wright rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a difficult book to read and not because of the content. In an effort to make his characters more real for the reader, Lecesne would veer off into long narrative back stories about people encountered in the book. This often made for long sidetracks in the narrative and, I'm sure, added to the lengthy page count.

Yet, while some characters receive lengthy descriptions, other characters, even those more important to the story aren't given the same treatment. At one point towards the end, a...more This was a difficult book to read and not because of the content. In an effort to make his characters more real for the reader, Lecesne would veer off into long narrative back stories about people encountered in the book. This often made for long sidetracks in the narrative and, I'm sure, added to the lengthy page count.

Yet, while some characters receive lengthy descriptions, other characters, even those more important to the story aren't given the same treatment. At one point towards the end, a gay couple is revealed and, to me at least, it came out of nowhere. There was nothing to suggest that the somewhat big player in the story was gay, much less that he had a partner. It almost felt as though this bit of information was tacked on at the end as an afterthought.

The story, however, is engaging. At times you think you know where the story is going to go and then things shift just enough so that even if you think you have things figured out, they aren't quite what they seem.

As a narrator, Phoebe is very detailed. As positive and engaging as Leonard is, Phoebe is almost exactly the opposite. She's almost always negative and her descriptions of other characters are often hurtful. Her characterizations of Leonard are particularly harsh. Even if you know someone like Leonard, it is sometimes hard to like him in the story because Phoebe works so hard to show why she doesn't like him, and perhaps why we shouldn't either.

As much as there are vast back stories for minor characters, there aren't as many details into Leonard's life. Maybe this is because Phoebe doesn't understand him, but when the tragedy befalls him, it can be hard to feel for him, even though we know we are supposed to. There just isn't the needed investment in him as a character for us to see him as little more than a cardboard cutout.

This is unfortunate because the story that evolves around his tragedy is an interesting one. The moral questions raised are enticing and how they are handled within the context of the story is engaging. I was drawn into the story, but only later into it, once those issues were starting to be raised. I appreciated where the author took me, but I felt that sometimes the journey there was a bit cumbersome.(less)

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Apr 23, 2009 Doug Beatty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen

Plot: Leonard Pelkey moves in with his cousin Phoebe, Deirdre and their mom when his father is unable to take care of him. Leonard is 14 and obviously gay, he spends his time planning makeovers for the clients at the mom’s beauty parlor, creating platform sneakers and trying out for drama camp. For some reason he forms an attachment to Phoebe who tries her hardest to resist the friendship. When Leonard is bullied by Travis Lembeck, and his money clip is stolen, Phoebe kisses Travis and steals th...more Plot: Leonard Pelkey moves in with his cousin Phoebe, Deirdre and their mom when his father is unable to take care of him. Leonard is 14 and obviously gay, he spends his time planning makeovers for the clients at the mom’s beauty parlor, creating platform sneakers and trying out for drama camp. For some reason he forms an attachment to Phoebe who tries her hardest to resist the friendship. When Leonard is bullied by Travis Lembeck, and his money clip is stolen, Phoebe kisses Travis and steals the clip back. Then one day on the way back from drama camp, Leonard disappears and everyone in town seems concerned. Apparently, Leonard left quite a mark, especially on those at the beauty parlor. Phoebe helps head the search and distributes fliers to help find him. Soon his shoe washes up on shore and later he is found tied to an anchor and drowned in the lake. Phoebe is getting closer to Travis until one night she goes to his house and discovers he can tie strong fishing knots and he has acquired leonard’s money clip. Travis is arrested and what follows is a long court trial. Many people seem to want the death penalty and the family need to make a statement either calling for the death penalty or calling for mercy. It is Deirdre who finally chooses to speak for the family and choose mercy, leaving Travis with a life sentence without parole. Travis writes to Phoebe and wants her to visit him. We also find out that Deirdre was molested by her father.

Strengths: Phoebe is a strong character who is struggling at being a teen. You get the feeling that she is not terribly popular and struggling with her feelings for Travis and who she thinks Travis is. She is also struggling with her relationship with Leonard, wanting to protect him and at the same time seeming to want him to change. She does seem to have a good relationship with her mother and her sister and they are good characters that seem to be really well rounded. After you find out about Deirdre you can understand why she might agree to have her hair shorn and why she loses interest in school. Leonard, though flighty, is also likeable and you do fear for his safety because he seems to wear his heart on his sleeve. There is suspense in the novel and it holds your attention. There is a mystery as to what really happened to Leonard and that also keeps the pages turning.

Weaknesses: The book is a little long for a teen audience and it would take a good reader to stick with it. Also, the message at the end is a little strong (not subtle at all) and seems to hit the reader over the head with it. By the end you are still not sure why Travis did what he did.
(less)

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Aug 06, 2009 Christina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction

Written by an activist for the gay community, Absolute Brightness is a story about tolerance (or lack thereof) and learning to choose love over hate even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Leonard Pelkey comes to live with his cousin, Phoebe, upon the death of his mother. Having never met Leonard, Phoebe has no idea what to expect. Leonard arrives packing all of his obvious flamboyance in tow. Though he never actually admits to being gay, his clothing, sense of style and fashion, love of wom...more

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Nov 05, 2011 Tom rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Dear Mr Lecesne

Thank you for writing Absolute Brightness.

life is complex, life has many many levels... We don't always get to choose our focus. We have all been hurt, or been abused, or been ignored, or been in love, or been infatuated, or been thought of as "less-than", or been confused, or been unsure, or been mean, or been misunderstood or have been loved, or have been deeply appreciated...

And many of have experienced a multitude of experience, of sensation at the same time... This story spea...more

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Nov 20, 2010 Tweller83 rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: edgy, realistic-teen-fiction, teen-angst

"Gr 8 Up-The small coastal town of Neptune, NJ, is thrown for a loop when flamboyant and flashy Leonard, 14, arrives to live with the Hertle family. His cousin Phoebe, 15, resents his inclusion and watches with annoyance as he proceeds to join the high school drama crowd and give her mother's beauty parlor clients makeovers of body and mind. When Leonard goes missing, Phoebe begins to realize that she had not been able to see beyond his six-inch platform sneakers; his love for others and his des...more

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Sep 17, 2010 Lauren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction

First off, I just have to say this. I love the cover! And the title is awesome (once you have finished the book).

The main character is a fifteen year old girl who matures through the book into a seventeen year old. It was a entertaining read; it was funny, sad, and serious all at the same time. This book made me cry.:)

Unfortunately, some parts of it were very predicatble. Some of this was balanced by surprises, but not totally. Overall a good summer read, a very respectable and worth-reading t

...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-books

I liked the message of this book--never be afraid to be who you are or to try to be someone you are not--but, I just thought the book was kind of slow and had an overwhelming amount of details that were not necessarily needed. I would not suggest this to a "book hater" simply because it just doesn't capture you from the very start and/or it is not a page turner. I typically refuse to finish books I do not like, so that says something about me finishing this one. I did feel a need to find out how...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young_adult, coming-of-age, gbtl

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 20, 2008 Faith rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, mock-printz-award, conference

I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about this novel.

It's not really YA. If you made the MC a college student rather than a high school student, I think it would have worked better. Also cut out about a hundred or so pages and most of the various character back story. In fact with the amount of back story you do get I am annoyed (?) that I still don't understand some of the characters motivations behind their actions. I get that you're not really supposed to understand the murder because...more

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Aug 24, 2010 ♥ Rachel♥ sHE beLIEveD rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 22, 2009 Ricki rated it 3 of 5 stars

Things I loved about this book: Leonard. He was a character that I will never forget. I also loved the title and how it really matched with my image of Leonard.

Things I disliked about this book: I like to think our world isn't as terrible a place as the author made it out to be. I also wish the author didn't feel forced to make Leonard disappear in order for the people to appreciate him (besides the old salon ladies). Additionally, this book was way too long. The author was trying to tackle too...more

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Dec 06, 2009 Merri rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this book so so so so so much. I've read it at least three times. The first time I read it, I finished it in a day. It made me laugh, and cry (well, inside anyway. I'm too tough for actual tears ;) ), and feel generally ashamed of humanity*...but also kind of hopeful for the future. Maybe we'll become more accepting/compassionate...? The one thing that bugged me though is the main character, Phoebe, falling for the complete creeper/homophobe/bully, Travis. I kind of felt like that took aw...more

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Jan 22, 2009 Ventril rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 20, 2009 Nicole rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: ummm....?

Shelves: ya, lgbt-etc

This book was unsettling, not because of the subject matter but because of the writing style. Clearly this is a first time author with an agenda and a story to tell. Unfortunately, he's just not that great at the telling (yet...I have faith in Lecesne, give him another couple years). Some details were rushing over or ignored while others were painfully drawn out.

It might have been better as 2 novels- one about Leonard and one about the subsequent trial. The protagonist feels like two different c...more

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Dec 23, 2010 Cheyenne rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I was in the library, this book really stuck out at me. The striped binding, the title, and the boy's cute face on the cover. Leo was a really weird boy, but I liked that. It just...fit him. He pulled it off. I can't believe the way that some people treated him that way. It's wrong; gay or not. Overall, this book was pretty good. The narrator, Phoebe, wasn't all that interesting to me. Leo, however, was another story. I was sad that I didn't get to know more about him...
This book showed me...more

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May 12, 2013 Jillian rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was a book to truly think about.
From the beginning I tended to question Leonard the same way Phoebe did:
Why did insist on remaking people?
Why did he say nothing about Phoebe?
And what was with his look?
No doubt I came to love Leonard an just how odd he was but I couldn't help wonder why he did the things he did. And by the point wen he went missing I began to really panic and by the time it said he died I ended up balling my eyes out because he really was just that person you just can't help l...more

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Mar 18, 2010 Andrew Parsons rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was a very interesting read. I had a hard time putting it down. When I finished reading, it really made me think. I remember trying to fit in to a certain group or clique, and I could relate to the characters in the story. Leonard was a very unique person, and I was saddened to see his life cut short. This book shows the reader that all life is special and has value. Everyone has different ideas, and they should be cherished and supported. I would recommend this book and look forward t...more

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Feb 19, 2009 J. rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fairly good novel. About 3/4 of the way through, Lecensne makes the point of what he's trying to do: not all stories of crimes need to have that strong find clues, have trial, bring criminal to justice narrative line--real life isn't as clear cut as an episode of CSI. It's a good point. The problem is that some of the writing lacks energy, and there is an imbalance between exposition and dialogue. That's not necessarily a bad thing to everyone, I just like to have more dialogue in a novel than...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Maddy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-semester-project, semester-project-w-finished-reviews

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book started off amazingly, the main characher Phoebe was a very well developed character and the plot was interesting. Leo, Phoebe's cousin, comes to stay with them, and he turns the whole town around. Leo brings out the best in everyone, and he isn't afraid to be himself. Leo is gay, so he is bullied a lot, but that doesn't change his absolutely positive outlook on life.

That all changes when Leo goes missing, and the town comes together to look for the boy that had changed them all so.

L...more

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Nov 06, 2012 Kari K rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the novel Absolute Brightness, 15-year-old Phoebe, who lives with her mother and older sister Deirdre in a house attached to her mother's beauty salon, meets a new person. Leonard is their uncle's stepson and he comes to live with her. Nobody really wants to accept Leonard because he is so different. He doesn’t can about what other people think of him, he just does what he wants. Leonard does find himself a spot in the town, making friends with the ladies who come into the salon. But no one r...more In the novel Absolute Brightness, 15-year-old Phoebe, who lives with her mother and older sister Deirdre in a house attached to her mother's beauty salon, meets a new person. Leonard is their uncle's stepson and he comes to live with her. Nobody really wants to accept Leonard because he is so different. He doesn’t can about what other people think of him, he just does what he wants. Leonard does find himself a spot in the town, making friends with the ladies who come into the salon. But no one really notices how much of an impact he leaves on everyone until he disappears one day. A hole is left in this small town, in many of the people, but mostly in Phoebe.

The writing in this novel is brilliant. It is very beautiful and flows. James Lecesne, the author, knows how to add dramatic effect to the book. There are so many times when you get a shock as to what happens. One time when this happens is when people are bullying Leonard. Phoebe’s way of protecting him shocks everyone. I read over many parts of the book because they were so well written.

The characters in this book are also exceptional. Phoebe is so relatable to teenagers that you almost begin to feel like you are her. She thinks just as we do and that is one of the reasons I like this novel so much. The books itself is very relatable to this time period because of one main reason, bullying. Leonard is bullied so much throughout the book. One passage is when Phoebe first meets Leonard.
“Leonard was wearing capri pants (pink and lime-green plaid) and a too-small t-shirt, which exposed his midriff. He wore a pair of shoes that were more like sandals atop a pair of two-inch wooden platforms. Both ears were pierced. . . He was way different. Don’t get me wrong. I like different. I am different. But when different goes too far, it stops being a statement and just becomes weird. I made up my mind right then and there that he and I would not be getting that close (pg15).”
This passage tells how people are judged by the way they look and how so many people are bullied. It is a great connection to the real world and it allows many people to get into the book.
Overall, this is a great book for teens to read. It is very inspirational and may make you think more about what’s going on around. (less)

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Jan 15, 2012 Larissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This starts off as a very stereotypical teen story: fifteen-year-old Phoebe Hertle has a problem, and it’s her cousin Leonard Pelkey, who has come to live with her family. He’s different, different as in flamboyant, colorful, theatrical. She dyes her hair a lot and is into things most teen girls aren’t into and blah blah blah blah blah. Only Leonard is really something. He’s not magical, if that’s what you’re thinking. Not in that way. He’s not a vampire or a ghost or anyone particularly special...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-2010, fiction, gay-youth, homosexual-issues, my-favorites, young-adult, youth-crime, favorites

This is a book for anyone who has been bullied or bullied themselves, needs to read, especially if you are a young boy who is still trying to come to terms with your sexuality.

The character that drove the plot of this story was great. I found him to be so full out life that you never wanted it to end. This character is like so many young boys today who are told as they grow up, to be themselves. But as they grow up, and still with that same idea, they start to see that the world doesn't always a...more This is a book for anyone who has been bullied or bullied themselves, needs to read, especially if you are a young boy who is still trying to come to terms with your sexuality.

The character that drove the plot of this story was great. I found him to be so full out life that you never wanted it to end. This character is like so many young boys today who are told as they grow up, to be themselves. But as they grow up, and still with that same idea, they start to see that the world doesn't always agree with how different people can be. What changes the story is how much the boy must deal with other people's problems just for being himself. There is even a point in the book that shows just how much suffering he really goes through, and as a reader, it is not hard to imagine the suffering that other boys just like him go through everyday.

This is a boy who trys very hard to make people like him, so he trys to bring others together and befriend those around him but instead he is either cut short or made fun of or threated or even used by others around him. The form of bullying is so strong in this story that with the current events of this time for this review, it is sad to think that even for a book of fiction, it is very real for many young boys today.

Many boys today can not wear what they like or act how they like for fear that another boy, who was raised to believe that it is ok to act that way, will make fun of them or hit them or embarrass them in front of their classmates. This is a real fear that many children are forced to face everyday when their parents make them go to school when in fact they ask if they don't have to.

Although I was disappointed with not knowing any motive of why the incident really happened, it did make it hard to see why he would do it when Leo tried to offer his friendship to his bully. I feel the author cheated its reader out not knowing that part. What is also interesting is how the character on which the plot is written was only about less than a quarter of the book but still felt as if he was there the whole way through, that part I really enjoyed. I think I plan on reading this one again and even just for the first quarter as well because the Leo Character is one that many young boys as well as older adults can relate to.

Thanks for the emotional ride.(less)

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Oct 17, 2008 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars

Phoebe's life changes--both for better and worse--when her cousin, her gay fourteen-year-old cousin, Leonard moves into their basement. Phoebe has never met anyone--ANYONE--like Leonard before. He's so completely crazy-unique. He instantly annoys and embarrasses her all at the same time. The way he dresses. The way he talks. The way he carries himself. The way people treat him. He charms and flatters many folks--he's got them wrapped around his finger--but for others Leonard represents everythin...more Phoebe's life changes--both for better and worse--when her cousin, her gay fourteen-year-old cousin, Leonard moves into their basement. Phoebe has never met anyone--ANYONE--like Leonard before. He's so completely crazy-unique. He instantly annoys and embarrasses her all at the same time. The way he dresses. The way he talks. The way he carries himself. The way people treat him. He charms and flatters many folks--he's got them wrapped around his finger--but for others Leonard represents everything they hate. Not everyone loves Leonard. And a few people HATE him.

Phoebe's mother owns a beauty salon. And believe me, Leonard is in HEAVEN when he's there. He talks and charms up on the ladies--young and old--when he's there. He loves, loves, loves giving makeovers. Hair. Makeup. Fashion tips. If you want to look fabulous, Leonard's your boy. He has a gift, an instinct in bringing out the best in people.

But Leonard's very existence brings out the worst in others. Not everyone likes the loud and flamboyant and so-very-out-there ways of this young boy. Being gay and proud and ultra-unique isn't a way to make friends your own age.

Phoebe. Dear, poor Phoebe is caught between loving him because he is so good at seeing the good in people. He's a genuinely good, nice, sweet person. But he embarrasses her. He annoys her. Life was so much easier before he came to live with him. Life pre-Leonard was so uncomplicated. And she's just a tiny bit jealous how much attention he gets from everyone.

Complicated. That's what Phoebe's life has become. Her mother, her sister, her cousin, her best friend, her sometimes kissing-partner but never quite official boyfriend, her father. Every relationship becomes messier afterwards. After what? Well, the jacket says it all...Leonard disappears suddenly...without living a trace...almost. And it is only when he is gone that she realizes--Phoebe realizes--just how big an impact one person can have on another, how big an impact a person can have on a town.

I have mixed feelings on Absolute Brightness. I have plenty of positive things to say about it. But it's not a perfect book for me. I think especially towards the end that it tries to do too much. It tries to make too many statements. Take too many political and social stands. Some are expected, and quite natural, others feel a bit more forced. Though maybe that is just me. Especially the anti-war bits. Essentially her and her best friend have a falling out, a parting of ways, because her friend supports the troops in Iraq. Her brother is a soldier. She (Electra) may not like the war, but she is proud that her brother is doing what he can, doing what he committed himself to doing. She loves her brother. When she (Electra) tries to tell her best friend (Phoebe) that she should be able to disagree with the war but still be supportive of the troops that are over there, then Phoebe has a holier-than-thou moment. She refuses to support the troops. She's anti-war and proud of it, and no one is going to convince her that a solider is ever doing something to be proud of, ever doing the right thing. Phoebe is RIGHT and no one is going to convince her otherwise. "If I saw her coming toward me on the street, I looked right through her. Once I even turned away. Eventually we settled into a routine that involved ignoring each other, not exactly enemies, but not exactly friends anymore either." This was after Electra's brother came home injured. Some friend. I had a hard time liking Phoebe and respecting her. And not just for her treatment of Electra either. But I can't really get into it without giving the plot away.

Some of the characters and plots seem well-developed, other story lines and characters seem under-developed. So I liked some parts, really liked some parts, and was only so-so on a few parts. But generally, I liked it.(less)

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About James Lecesne

For over 25 years I've been telling stories. Whether I'm writing, acting, producing or trying to create social change, it's usually the story that got me involved. But in the process of getting things done and trying to make the world a better place, I've also been telling the story of my life. This website is my best effort to provide the general gist. But my hope is that you find something here...more

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Books by James Lecesne

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Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance

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Quotes from Absolute Brightness

“In the argument, y’know, between hate and love, it’s really up to each one of us. In our hearts or wherever. Each of us had to take a stand every single day and say which side we’re on. And I dunno for sure, but maybe the whole purpose of evil in this world is to get people who aren’t really good and who aren’t really bad to stand up and, y’know, be better. Maybe without evil, the just people of the world who happen to be just going along, living their lives and minding their own business…maybe without evil, they’d never find the courage to come forward and do the right thing.” — 9 people liked it

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Absolute Brightness

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