The Light in the Hallway by Amanda Prowse is a story
of life after the death of a spouse and how does one move on? The story opens
in 1992 with 10-year-old Nick Bairstow, along with his best friends, Eric and
Alex, has begged his father for a bike only to be horribly disappointed. Fast
forward 25 years, Nick is begging his 18-year-old son, Oliver “Olly” to come
with him but her refuses. So, Nick goes alone. Where is he going? The hospital
where his wife, Kerry, is dying of cancer. He arrives in time to say goodbye.
Soon the doors of grief close in on Nick and he is not sure what do to. But life
must go one as Olly heads to university and Nick finds a way to come home to an
empty house. At every turn, he is criticized by his sister-in-law, Diane, for
various missteps and bad behavior on his and Olly’s part. At one point, Nick
confesses, “It seems I can’t do right for doing wrong, where they are all
concerned.” What is the protocol for moving on? What are the steps to get on
with one’s life when their loved one dies? Throughout the book, the story
flashbacks to the summer of 1992 when Nick begins to learn important life
lessons and connects to the new life lessons he learns in the present.
The Light in the Hallway is the fourth book I have
read by Ms. Prowse. While it’s not my favorite (I still love The Food of
Love (2016)), I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I found myself very
protective of Nick as he tries to navigate life after Kerry’s death. I wanted
to give Diane a piece of my mind when she criticized Nick for “moving on too
fast” after Kerry’s death. But was he really? How long is he supposed to stay
in mourning? I cheered when he finally gets the courage to stand up to her and
tell her off. There was one moment when I cried my eyes out. I can’t discuss it
further, but it is very significant to the story and it was very touching. I
highly recommend The Light in the Hallway. It is a moving story of how
one moves on after a death. Life truly does go on.
The Light in the
Hallway
is available in
paperback, eBook, and audiobook
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