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There are currently 29 member reviews
for The Lighthouse
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rebeccar
Review not rated
RE: Ryan is persistent in trying to ...
My example of keeping something going is silly, but it's the only one that comes to mind. Childhood memories of being so very scared on certain Disneyland rides that I experienced with my grandmother beside me, then going back to ride them as a teenager on a date and finding the ride to be corny, not scary at all.
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acstrine
Review not rated
RE: How does the role of mental health ...
I think the role of mental health in this book barely skimmed the surface. If we could resolve our grief by taking a weekend trip there would be no need for support groups, counselors, psychologists, and the self-help section of a bookstore. Our family suffered a horrific loss nearly two years ago, and the way my brother is (or isn't) dealing with his grief has caused a deep rift in his relationships with others in our family. His family also moved. I would no way agree that this has healed him or even moved him along in the grief cycle.
The mental health of Ryan seemingly didn't occur to the author. First, he lost his mother. Second, for all intents and purposes, he lost his father. Add the financial stress, increasing responsibility, and constant fear of his father having another stroke- -this kid was an emotional time bomb! There was no real support system in place for him. I'm not sure what I believe regarding what happens after one dies, but in Ryan's instance, I'm wondering if it was his already fragile state that made accepting the reality of the situation too difficult to let go and "cross over".
I thought that Kevin's and Amy's differing ways of dealing with the loss of Helen made sense considering their ages and maturity levels. I would also argue that they were both in Stage One of the grief cycle. At this point they were both doing the very best they could to simply cope. They skipped several steps of the process, in my opinion.
I don't find this a realistic portrayal of caring for one's mental health, nor do I believe it was the most healthy way to deal with any emotional issue.
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kimk
Review not rated
RE: Do you think Amy and Ryan's ...
I don't think Amy & Ryan's closeness was due to the circumstances in which they met. It didn't seem like the attraction was necessarily immediate, and only happened because Amy wanted to apologize and thank Ryan once she realized why he was in her hotel room.
I do think immediate connections happen, though, and it doesn't necessarily have to be romantic. I met one of my best friends on a backpacking trip. We bonded over a shared taste in candy, of all things (we both like licorice and gummy candies, and neither of us particularly cares for chocolate).
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julib
Review not rated
RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...
Lighthouses are in reality beacons of light providing safety to warn and guide ships at sea. Their presence anchors a coastal town giving residents an assurance of stability. The cover art of this novel draws the readers attention and lures the eyes toward the story, but unfortunately the time spent reading is disappointing. The author spends much of his writing efforts telling readers what to think instead of providing descriptions of the situations and letting readers transfer their own emotions to the plight of the main characters. Initially the storyline was reminiscent of a Hallmark movie scenario with tragic circumstances in need of a dramatic lifestyle improvement, but then quickly twisted into a ghost story that made little sense even for a late October release. Readers enjoy happy endings and the author certainly provided one to embrace, but the plot felt rushed and unrealistic for this reviewer.
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maryjaneb
Review not rated
RE: Do you have a skill you learned from...
When I think of the skills I have, I realize they are a combination of skills I admired from loved ones thoughtout the years. Watching several friends and relatives bake taught me what worked and how to solve baking problems I encountered along the way.
My mother was a master of organizing her world around caring for her six children and her teaching profession. Observing her in her classroom showed me what was possible when I taught.
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Loveslife
Review not rated
RE: This book combined several genres. ...
I think switching genres can be an intriguing techniques when it is done well. I don't feel that is was the best choice in this book. At times it felt jarring and it did not add to the story.
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Anne C.
Review not rated
RE: Which scene in the book resonated ...
Ryan meets his deceased mother and sister, and Amy meets her deceased mother. I think all of us who have lost loved ones harbor a secret hope that someday, somehow, we can see and talk with them again.
