The Memory of Light Book Review

Well, first off, hey guys! Thanks for sticking with me as I battle out some personal issues. Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! This week it’s The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork, a YA novel about a suicide survivor who battles depression.

This book is intensely relatable. The sad truth is that many teens can understand having a mental illness, and more can all the time. While it’s important to help them in any way possible, it’s also about remembering their pain and acknowledging everything these people have to go through. The Memory of Light does just that through an excellent plot, astounding characters, and great voice.

Stork is a master of the quiet moments. Of course the novel contains massive amounts of action spread throughout the story, too, but he takes the little moments and makes them everything. For despite the action, it’s truly about the characters in a breathtaking way. My favorite scene has to be when Vicky, the protagonist, digs a hole with E. M. and learns about hard work.

Sometimes YA authors worry about deriving from the happily ever after; Stork doesn’t shy away. In the end, Vicky’s still depressed, E. M. still has anger issues, Gabriel is still sick, and Mona’s still in a precarious situation. But that’s life. It’s not about the happy; it’s about learning to make the happy and growing stronger and growing up. Stork highlights what we all must deal with at one point or another: life sucks, and that’s ok.

Recommended for anyone who’s teetered on the edge of that cliff and wondered. Please, keep going. For Vicky. For Stork. For them. For everyone else who looks at the great big world about to swallow them whole and thinks they’re going to get the last laugh. For you.

--Grace Nask