This book was published on February 26, 2019. However, I got my hands on an uncorrected proof, so undoubtedly there will be some differences between the version I read and the published edition.
This book does contain themes of abuse. I would recommend not reading this book or review if you find themes of abuse troublesome in any way.
This book is also a bit younger than I normally read, but it was very engaging and dealt with such a sensitive topic in an authentic matter that it was a very good read.
An amazon summary, "A story of fear and hope, loneliness and friendship -- full of the heart, engaging characters, and propulsive, page-turning mystery that made The Goldfish Boy so beloved.
Nate and his mother are running away. Fleeing from an emotionally abusive situation, they hide out in an abandoned cottage in the middle of a forest. Though it's old and run-down, at least it's a place of their own.
Then Nate's mother heads off for groceries and doesn't return. Has she run into trouble, or simply abandoned him? He is left alone and afraid, with the dark closing in on him.
But comfort can come from the most unexpected of places: like a strange girl trying to solve the mystery of a treasure hunt, and the reappearance of a friend from his past. Will Nate find the bravery he needs to face down his fears, survive on his own, and ultimately illuminate his future?
The Light Jar is a captivating story of fear and hope, loneliness and friendship, and finding the light within, even in the darkest of times." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE
Nate's mom wakes him up in the middle of the night and tells him to pack. She packs him and his bag into the car, and drives him all the way out to a semi-abandoned cottage in the middle of nowhere. They're escaping from Gary, his mom's boyfriend who came to live with them. He seemed like an alright guy, but then little things started to happen where he wasn't such an alright guy.
Anyways, Nate and his mom are in this kind of decrepit cottage and they're trying to make the best of it. They manage to sleep for the night, and the next day they have breakfast from the eggs the rogue chicken in the cottage laid. Nate's Mom leaves to go get groceries and supplies and Nate tries to make the cottage a little more welcome while she's gone.
...but she doesn't come back.
Nate finds ways to occupy himself until his mom comes back. His imaginary friend from when he was little shows up, and starts asking him questions. Poking around the cottage, and Nate is pretty bewildered. He hasn't seen his imaginary friends since he was very little. The funny thing is, his imaginary friend and his mom insist they've been to the cottage before when Nate was little, but he doesn't really remember it. Then a little girl shows up looking to solve the riddle the groundskeeper left years ago for the children of the family (Nate and his mom are staying at the old groundskeeper's cottage) and she enlists Nate's help.
That's enough summary.
This book was a survivalist story. Nate surviving on his own in the cottage without his mom, Nate surviving his life with Gary, and Nate surviving his parents' divorce where his Dad left for overseas years ago.
But I ultimately think it's about patience and self-love. Through the different scenarios that arise throughout the book, I think there was a great demonstration of Nate showing himself compassion.
The settings, character development, and kind of mysticism that happens also felt authentic while remaining true to telling Nate's story.
All that being said, I thought Nate came across as a little too young. At times I wasn't sure if his age was 8, 12, or 10. There didn't seem to be any consistency, and the few habits or tendencies he displayed seemed to be a little more textbook than character driven. Like, "What do 12 year olds like? Uhhhh, these things..... *selects them off a list*"
The story was sad, touching, and also was very sensitive to displaying and telling of the abuse from Gary... but it just seems like Nate as a character could have used a bit of polishing.
Happy reading!
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