Lighthouse Island

Paulette Jiles

Quick Take

The bestselling author of the highly praised novels The Color of Lightning, Stormy Weather, and Enemy Women pushes into new territory with this captivating and atmospheric story set in the far future-a literary dystopian tale resonant with love and hopeIn the coming centuries the world's population has exploded and covered the earth with cities, animals are nearly all gone and drought has taken over so that cloudy water is issued by the quart. There are no maps, no borders, no numbered years. On this urban planet the only relief from overcrowding and the harsh rule of the big Agencies is the television in every living space, with its dreams of vanished waterfalls and the promise of virtual vacations in green spaces, won by the lucky few.It is an unwelcoming world for an orphan like Nadia Stepan. Abandoned by her parents on a crowded street when she was four, the little girl is shuttled from orphanage to orphanage, foster-family to foster-family. Nadia grows up dreaming of the vacation spot called Lighthouse Island, in a place called the Pacific Northwest. She becomes obsessed with it and is determined to somehow find her way there. In the meantime this bright and witty orphan falls into the refuge of old and neglected books; the lost world of the imagination. And beyond the confusion and overcrowding and the relentless television noise, comes a radio voice from an abandoned satellite that patiently reads, over and over, the great classical books of the world-Big Radio, a voice in the night that lifts Nadia out of the dull and perpetual Present.An opportunity for escape appears and Nadia takes it, abandoning everything to strike out for Lighthouse Island in a dangerous and sometimes comic adventure. She meets every contingency with bottomless inventiveness meets the man who changes the course of her life: James Orotov, mapmaker and demolition expert. Together they evade arrest and head north toward a place of wild beauty that lies beyond the megapolis-Lighthouse Island and its all-seeing eye.

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Lighthouse Island

Introduction

"Lighthouse Island" by Paulette Jiles is a captivating and atmospheric dystopian novel set in a future where the world's population has exploded and the natural world has been ravaged by drought. The story follows Nadia Stepan, an orphan who dreams of escaping to the mythical vacation spot known as Lighthouse Island. As she navigates a harsh and oppressive society, Nadia finds solace in old books and the voice of Big Radio, a mysterious figure who reads the great classical works of the world. With the help of James Orotov, a mapmaker and demolition expert, Nadia embarks on a perilous journey to reach her destination.

About Paulette Jiles

Paulette Jiles, the author of "Lighthouse Island," is an American poet and novelist. Born in Salem, Missouri, Jiles received a degree in Romance Languages from the University of Missouri. She lives in the Texas Hill Country on a small ranch. Jiles has previously published several novels, including "The Color of Lightning," "Stormy Weather," and "Enemy Women," which have received critical acclaim. Her writing style, characterized by its poetic language and attention to detail, has garnered praise from readers and critics alike.

Analysis of Views

Engaging and immersive: Many readers found "Lighthouse Island" to be a highly engaging and immersive read. They praised Jiles's ability to transport them into the world she created, with vivid descriptions that brought the dystopian landscape to life.
Thought-provoking: The novel explores themes of resilience, hope, and the impact of societal problems on individuals. Readers appreciated the book's ability to make them think about the potential future consequences of current issues such as overpopulation and environmental degradation.
Richly detailed: Jiles's attention to detail in describing the world and its inhabitants was widely praised by readers. They found her descriptions of the bleak urban landscape, the scarcity of resources, and the impact of technology on society to be richly detailed and evocative.
Well-developed characters: The characters in "Lighthouse Island" were praised for their depth and complexity. Nadia's determination and resourcefulness, as well as James's intelligence and compassion, resonated with readers and added depth to the story.
Unpredictable plot: While some readers found the book's pacing to be slow, others appreciated its unpredictable plot and unexpected twists. The journey to Lighthouse Island was filled with challenges and obstacles that kept readers engaged and guessing until the end.

Reasons for Recommendation

Immersive world-building: Readers were captivated by Jiles's ability to create a vivid and immersive dystopian world that transported them into a future that felt all too plausible. The attention to detail in describing the world's decline and the characters' struggles made it easy for readers to become fully invested in the story.
Thought-provoking themes: The novel explores important themes related to societal problems and human resilience, making it a thought-provoking read that encourages reflection on current issues. Readers appreciated the book's ability to spark discussions about the potential consequences of unchecked population growth and environmental degradation.
Richly detailed descriptions: Jiles's attention to detail in describing the world and its inhabitants was highly praised by readers. Her vivid descriptions added depth and richness to the story, making it a visually engaging read that transported readers into the heart of the dystopian landscape.
Well-developed characters: The characters in "Lighthouse Island" were praised for their depth and complexity. Readers found them relatable and sympathetic, rooting for Nadia's journey and appreciating James's role in her story. The characters' growth and development added depth to the narrative and made it more emotionally resonant for readers.
Unpredictable plot: While some readers found the pacing to be slow, others appreciated the book's unpredictable plot and unexpected twists. The journey to Lighthouse Island was filled with challenges and obstacles that kept readers engaged and guessing until the end, making it a satisfying read that delivered on its promise of adventure and exploration.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Slow pacing: Some readers found the pacing of "Lighthouse Island" to be slow, particularly in the first half of the book. They felt that it took a long time for things to start happening, which made it difficult for them to stay engaged with the story.
Overemphasis on detail: While many readers appreciated Jiles's attention to detail in describing the world and its inhabitants, some felt that it became overbearing at times. They found themselves bogged down by lengthy descriptions that detracted from the overall flow of the story.
Lack of quotation marks: A few readers mentioned that they had difficulty following dialogue in the book due to the lack of quotation marks. This made it difficult for them to distinguish between dialogue and narrative, which caused confusion at times.
Predictability: Despite its unpredictable plot twists, some readers felt that certain aspects of the story were predictable or clichéd. They felt that certain events or character motivations were telegraphed early on, which diminished their impact later in the book.
Limited scope: While "Lighthouse Island" explores important themes related to societal problems and human resilience, some readers felt that it lacked a broader scope or failed to fully explore certain aspects of its dystopian world. They felt that certain elements were underdeveloped or left unresolved, leaving them wanting more from the story.

Conclusion

"Lighthouse Island" by Paulette Jiles is a captivating dystopian novel that explores themes of resilience, hope, and the impact of societal problems on individuals. With its immersive world-building, richly detailed descriptions, well-developed characters, unpredictable plot, and thought-provoking themes, it has garnered praise from readers who appreciate its ability to transport them into a bleak but compelling future world. While some readers found it slow-paced or lacking in quotation marks, others found it engaging and thought-provoking throughout. Overall, "Lighthouse Island" offers a compelling read for those interested in exploring dystopian fiction with a literary twist.