The future in Florida is at the mercy of the planet’s climate and how municipalities can deal with the aftermath of storms. This novel follows a family as the rising intensity of tropical storms wreak havoc on their town of Rudder, Florida.
Literary Leftovers are book reviews and recommendations that do not contain recipes, but are books that I highly recommend.
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
Outline and Tone:Â
This is a fascinating novel about what could happen in Florida if the climate continues to change in regard to increasing tropical storms. How can humans who are used to safety and security and electricity and services survive when one by one these things become harder for cities to provide.
While the story follows a family who live in southern Florida, it eventually focuses on Wanda and her experiences. The book is divided into four parts: power, water, light, and time. Each section offers both gains and losses of these elements and shows how people will thrive or expire.
The book reads with a serious tone, nothing is lighthearted, and all of it comes together in a believable timeline. The title The Light Pirate would make for a great book club discussion. Why is this the title? Why did the author focus on this part? What else would be a good title for the book? Since I don’t do any spoilers, I won’t give you my opinion, but trust me, I do have opinions on this concept. I sincerely hope that you find at least one friend to read the book with you so you can debate these and other questions.
The author:Â
Lily Brooks-Dalton has been a writer-in-residence at The Kerouac House and The Studios of Key West. In addition to The Light Pirate, she has 2 other successful novels, Motorcycles I’ve Loved, and Good Morning, Midnight. The Light Pirate was selected as Good Morning America’s Book Club selection and was a #1 Indie Next pick for December 2022. Brooks-Dalton has a website that contains details of all of her awards and descriptions of her other novels. You can also find her on Instagram, @lilybrooksdalton.
What is not to like?:Â
Perhaps you can tell from my review above, I didn’t love the title chosen for the book. I am a part of a book, and at the time of this writing we have not had our final meeting to discuss the book and its ending. It is possible that someone will convince me at that meeting that the title is a great choice.
The verdict:Â
So interesting! So many characters unravel and grow, or not. I wholeheartedly recommend this book even if just to be able to discuss it with one other person.
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Love it! I’ve been thinking about reading this book.