Book Summary:Photography comprises the bright, tensile thread in the sweep of The Luminist, drawing tight a narrative that shifts between the prejudices and passions of Victorian England and those of colonial Ceylon. It binds the destinies of Catherine Colebrook, the proper wife of a fading diplomat, who rebels against every convention to chase the romance of science through her lens, and Eligius, an Indian teenager thrust into servitude after his father is killed demanding native rights. The Luminist is a weave of legend and history, science and art, politics and domesticity that are symphonic themes in the main title, the story of an enduring and forbidden friendship. Catherine and Eligius must each struggle with internal forces that inspire them and societal pressures that command them. Rocklin’s is a bold landscape, against which an intimate drama is poignantly played out. Just in this way, our minds recall in every detail the photo snapped at the moment of pain, while all the lovely scenes seem to run together.
About the Author:
David Rocklin is the author of The Luminist, which will be published in the United States, Italy and Israel. He grew up in Chicago and lives in California with his wife and children. He is currently at work on a new novel.
I would love the opportunity to make The Luminist a part of your reading group. Feel free to contact me via email, the novel's Facebook page, or via my publisher. I will have a copy of the book sent to the book club spokesperson. If you like it, I would ask that you have the club members buy it. I will then happily arrange to appear at your book club - physically or virtually - and talk about the novel, writing, reading, or anything else that strikes your club's fancy! I hope to hear from you, as being able to share what I write and what you read, is a joy unique to books.
Visit David Rocklin on the web HERE
My Thoughts:
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the cover again...I find myself sitting and staring at it on my nightstand and it just draws you in!
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and although it was very different that I thought it would be, it appealed to me from beginning to end.
I love stories like this that are outside of the mainstream, and this book will appeal to people who don't rush to follow what is popular withing our culture. And this author to me is of the highest caliber since he was able to take a very dense and possibly somewhat boring topic and turn it into a magical story. Again, I can see this appealing to certain audiences though - people who love historical fiction, colonialism, photography, etc. This is not an edge-of-your-seat thriller but that is what I loved about it.
One of the very best things about this book was the small lines and passages that I would stumble across and take pleasure in re-reading over and over again just to enjoy them. I am a marker, and marking passages in a book is one of the perks of reading for me. My copy of The Luminist has tabs throughout!
Catherine's story is unique and readers will enjoy following her through the trials and tribulations she endures. Her relationship with Eligius is dramatic and really does give this novel a depth it might not have had otherwise. Rocklin really takes time and care when crafting his characters, that is evident.
I heartily recommend this novel...it is heavy but definitely a worthwhile read.
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