Let the Light Back In

About the Book

Set in a small south Louisiana town named Cypress, Let The Light Back In is a “coming of age story” which revolves around a young boy and the emotions he wrestles as he deals with the pressures of his first love, his aging Grandfather, and his fleeting youth.

Written in first person, the main character, Luke Patterson, serves as the teller of the tale. He relates the main events which bring him to the period in his life where he feels writing the book will serve as a personal catharsis.

Throughout the book, Luke writes short asides which serve to inform the reader of his viewpoints on certain issues. The intention of these asides is to develop a rapport between the storyteller and reader, hopefully encouraging a bond between them. Shaping the reader to feel Luke’s emotions is the primary goal and purpose of these asides.

The plot line of the first few chapters revolve around Luke’s relationship with Belinda Ashley, the beautiful young cousin of his best friend, with whom he develops a radiant romance. Also introduced in the beginning of the book is Luke’s grandfather with whom Luke has a strong bond. These two characters are the driving force behind Luke’s story.

Eventually, Luke and Belinda’s relationship becomes rocky, to the point where Belinda explains to Luke that she wants to break up and see other people. Luke is devastated. For the next two years of his life, Belinda and Luke meet on more than one occasion, whereby Luke falls for her all over again. This saga continues until Luke can take their “chance” encounters no longer. It all comes to a head one night during Mardi Gras in New Orleans when Luke and Belinda meet, and she tells him what he has feared for so long. The shock of this is compounded when Luke arrives home and finds out that his Grandfather is extremely ill.

All this action combines to leave Luke with feelings of isolation and loneliness, which eventually lead to his nervous breakdown. During this period, Luke does some soul-searching and to his surprise finds out a lot about himself and the changing world around him.

The conclusion of the story has Luke once again encountering the love of his life-Belind Ashley. This time, however, all the emotions and feelings of their many years being involved in each other´s life comes to the forefront, with Luke finally realizing that he must address those issues that haunted him throughout his youth.

About the Author

Dylan Rose is a young writer living a quest for his “holy grail” - whatever that may be. This, possibly, is his first and only novel. He considers it the only true and real book that he could possible write at this stage in his life. He is currently riding the roads of America: listening, observing, content to allow the muses to move him as they please. He may write again someday; when the need arises, and the light shines down upon him once more. If not, he wishes that the reader will enjoy this tale, with the hope that it might transport them back to their youth in one way or another.