The Memory of Light

The Memory of Light

By Francisco X. Stork
Published: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2016
Pages: 325
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Check it out on Amazon

"I wrote because writing helped me. When I wrote, the hollowness inside was filled for a few moments with memories and images, not all of them happy, but at least there was something living in me... again, when I wrote. I wrote because writing kept me alive."

Vicky is a 16-year-old who attempts suicide when she finds the daily drone of life too much to bear. Her family becomes broken and distant after her mother dies, there is no place she belongs at the competitive school she attends and there is nothing that gives her joy - each day is just like the next, filled with meaningless actions and words that make no difference to her. Vicky finds herself at Lakeview and discovers that she can find reasons to WANT to live. While recovering at a ranch with other patients, who are now her friends, a crisis occurs and Vicky is left back at home facing the same demons and "uglies" - suicidal thoughts. It will take courage and hope for her to face

This book hits me right in the soul. It's clear that Stork has dealt with depression before since he can write about it so clearly. He writes a metaphor for depression by Vicky explaining her depression is like elves living in her brain that sidetrack certain signals and send false ones to her central system. This makes his writing so relatable. And each character was written so vividly, I can easily picture each one in my head. The ending was perfect in that it wasn't "too perfect." Some characters are still in a bad place and struggling with their treatment, which is realistic. Mental illness is never clear cut; it quite often is a constant struggle and uphill battle.

The Memory of Light sends a perfect message to anyone any age or may have or may currently be struggling with depression about how it IS possible to find hope. You just have to take one day at a time; some days are better than others and it'll always be that way. Even if you're at the worst place in your life, there WILL be better days. I recommend it to anyone.

RATING (out of five puppies):