Where the Light Enters

by Nick Kaufman

“Where the Light Enters is a journey into darkness — the literal darkness of the Norwegian winter and the figurative darkness of human frailty. Josh, like many kids on the threshold of adulthood, eagerly dashes to the other side of the world unaware that his hunger for adventure is, on many levels, emotional escape in disguise. The mental illness that preys on his family and a childhood plagued by night terrors are stowaways that follow him to Norway alongside the promises of ‘free love’ and a year-long exploration of exotic landscapes. Norway proves to be a land of too much light, too much darkness, and perhaps even too much beauty — the kind that stabs laser-sharp into the soul. It’s a beauty that either kills you or teaches you how to survive by not looking away. Where the Light Enters is a subtle and graceful study of what it takes to stare terrifying truth in the eye and hold that gaze long enough to recognize a path to sanity, and love — even for those who have made you believe that neither is possible.” - Robynn Colwell, winner of Ireland’s 2013 Anam Cara Short Fiction Competition.

Genres: Amazon

292 pages, Paperback

Published January 3, 2017

Reviews

[Denny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great contemporary literature.

Josh’s story moves delightfully slowly. At 21 he knows no life other than that of his wealthy, polite and emotionally empty family. HIs mother and brother are unstable and as lost as Josh is. His father immerses himself in his medical practice and supposed affairs with nursing colleagues. With no other nourishment to offer, the family makes up with food.

Food seems to be a metaphor for everything that Josh is searching for. He enjoys literature and language and looks for approval from his father, showing him an essay on Hemingway. In return, his father quotes Shakespeare. I found this the most revealing and poignant part of the novel. Josh says that Hemingway writes about love, yet it is Shakespeare’s glorious prose that describes real love, a love that is immune to absence, absence being a theme of this book. I believe that Hemingway writes about looking for love, losing love, self absorbed love, certainly not that which Shakespeare writes of. Is his father trying to tell Josh that despite his absence, his preoccupation with work, his love for his sons is enduring?

Yet, despite Josh’s obvious lack of interest in studying medicine, that is the path he is being forced on to. His year in Norway is an opportunity to escape from this, rather than an opportunity to explore who he is and to find his own way.

From the family he stays with he learns something of love, but it seems elusive. He is sexually lost as well, and despite opportunities he feels nothing. It is through friendship that he finds solace. Friendship with macho Brad, and with easy going Emma who expects nothing of him. Indeed, it seems thst whenever something is expected of him, he dissolves and disappears within himself.

It is only when he makes his first real decision to move away from his family’s expectations, that Josh sees the potential of a future for himself.

I’d give this book five stars but for the typos and a few unintentionally fragmented sentences.

I found it difficult initially to become immersed in Josh’s story, but that was my laziness as a reader, rather than the author’s talent.

This is the real deal, worthy of the genre of contemporary fiction.

[B.C.Fowlston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave up

I nearly gave up on this book because of all the Amsrican trade names ads sporting references at the beginning which made it very difficult to follow at the beginning. However the writing style seemed to change (for the better) once Josh arrived in Norway. Although quite evocative of time and place I didn't find it a very satisfying read....

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book satisfied some wanderlust in the sensory and mindful descriptions of a simpler life. Great story too. Felt like a snapshot or short chapter in his life which lets you imagine what happens next.

[Alison Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written family saga.

Sensitive and thoughtful. This author can write. No grammatical errors or silly cliches both of which annoy me no end. I read it practically in ones go.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very much a story driven by its characters and the settings (not events) they find themselves in. Josh is in his early 20s with no real focus or purpose to his life other than the enjoyment of food, books, and art. His parents focus on doing and being the right thing, likely thanks to their experiences as Jewish migrants in the USA and all the emotional baggage that comes with that. Josh is close to his grandmother/aunt Ida, who is a feeder of impressive proportions (seriously I want to go to Ida's) and to his brother Paul who has had many struggles trying to fulfill his parents dreams. As part of Josh's studies he goes to Norway for a year and finds that he learns a lot more about life than he does about art or literature and when he returns home, things feel very different. This is a slow read but in a relaxed simple way not an annoying one and it is only really as you come to the end you realise how engrossing it was. I honestly did not think I would end up enjoying it as much as I did.

[Keith Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

A truly wide ranging story of a very unusual family. A mother, father and two sons who were all like call and cheese to one another. One son becomes a true black sheep of the family whilst his younger brother h as a whirlwind and adventurous scholarly visit to Norway the land of the midnight s in. The vast difference of members of the family make extremely interesting reading. Not to be missed book

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read

Josh travels for education and free love in Norway. Running from emotional trauma and a dysfunctional family - touched by mental illness - he finds families where love exists, where truth and beauty hide. It is equally overwhelming, but he learns to confront the truth and holds onto the possibility of love. Out of emotional desolation comes hope, as sure as the light comes out of the endless Norway night.

[Paul Berg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how you could publish a book like this. As I read each page I was waiting for something to happen to see what this story is all about.
Never did I read a book and wonder what the story was all about, even when I final got to the last page, the so called story just stopped without an ending.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a slow, thoughtful book

I have been dipping into this book off and on for months and just finished it. It’s a gentle story, an awakening story. It’s also a love story - love of family, friends, of place. Little moments of awe.
It also touches on some darker themes, but in a respectful and loving way. I expect to read it again sometime.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited for this book but I found it slow, dialogue tedious, and the story disjointed.