The Valley of Light

By Terry Kay

Book Overview

A lyrical and poignant novel from one of America's greatest storytellers, the author of To Dance with the White Dog.

On a sunny summer day in 1948, Noah Locke arrives in Bowerstown, a small North Carolina community bordered by lakes and set deep in the Valley of Light. A quiet, simple man and a war veteran, Noah has a mystical gift for fishing, yet he remains haunted by the war and by the terrible scenes he witnessed when his infantry unit liberated Dachau. His wandering--doing odd jobs and catching fish for sale or trade--is both an escape from his past and a search for a place to call home.

In the valley, Noah is initially treated with amusement by the locals he meets at Taylor Bowers's general store--until he begins fishing. Once they see his almost magical skills, however, he becomes the talk of the valley and is urged to stay long enough to participate in the annual school fishing contest. He agrees, accepting a job offer by Taylor to paint his store when he isn't filling orders for fish. He finds lodging in an abandoned shack by a small lake the locals call the Lake of Grief and, also, the Lake of No Fish, because they think all the fish have disappeared. Noah knows they are wrong. Beneath the water is a warrior bass waiting to test Noah's gift.

In the way that innocence creates powerful events, Noah meets Eleanor Cunningham, a young widow whose husband supposedly killed himself after returning home from the war. Over the course of a week, Noah will be led into the secret lives of the residents of the Valley of Light, will join them as they mourn a tragedy, and will experience a miracle that will guide him home at last.

Luminous, memorable, and deeply moving, The Valley of Light is the finest work to date from a brilliant storyteller.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074347595X
• ISBN13: 9780743475952
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Beautiful Book

Fantastic imagery. Interesting, yet melancholy story set in a pituresque time and place. I highly recommend it!

Beautiful Book

Terry Kay is an excellent writer. His description of the area of NC-GA, is very true. His characters are very true. Whe I read VALLEY OF LIGHT, I read 100 pages very quickly. Then, I decided to slow down and savor the writing which is so beautiful. I will suggest this book to many friends and library patrons.This is not the first book by Kay I have read, but it may be my favorite...well, THE RUNAWAY is a wonderful book; I would have to toss a coin for my favorite.

Completely Delightful

This was one of the top five books I have had the pleasure of reading over the past several years. It was an absolute delight.I was raised in an area such as the setting of this book, during the time the story takes place (a small boy at the time). Mr. Kay has hit it absolutely perfectly. The story is haunting. The prose wonderful. He absolutely knows his characters, and I suspect does or did know them personally. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The only thing that could make it better would be a cup of coffee with the author on a Saturday morning. I cannot wait to read his previous work now, and hope he comes up with more like this one in the future.Thank you Mr. Kay!!!

I love this man!

I am as excited about a new Terry Kay book, as when my kids listen to me. I wish he has a new book as often as that happens, I could be assured of at least 2 excellent reads a year. I bought Mr. Kay's book the day it arrived, finished it that day and was not disappointed. Every story he writes makes me want his characters for my new best friends.