Book: A Gathering Light (also called A Northern Light in the US)
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Genre: Young Adult/Historical/Crime
“A Gathering Light” (known as “A Northern Light” in the US) is a coming-of-age story and murder mystery by Jennifer Donnelly, centered on Mattie Gokey. Even though it’s historical fiction, the plot intertwines with the real-life murder case of Grace Brown, who was killed in the early 1900s while staying at a hotel with her boyfriend. This part of the story gains an extra layer of authenticity because the author’s grandmother worked as a waitress at the same hotel. The book was highly praised by critics and won The Carnegie Medal in 2003 for outstanding young adult fiction.
Mattie’s story alternates between her recent past with her family and her current job at a hotel. She has secured a full scholarship to a university in New York but needs money for books and train fare. Her dream is to become a writer. It’s 1906, and she faces societal expectations that women should prioritize marriage, as well as a strict father still mourning his wife’s death. During her summer job at the hotel, a young woman’s body is discovered nearby in Big Moose Lake.
Earlier that day, the girl had given Mattie a bundle of letters, asking her to burn them. Unable to destroy them after the girl’s death, Mattie starts reading the letters. As the tragic truth unfolds, Mattie finds herself torn between her family responsibilities and her aspirations.
The book’s theme of oppression is evident throughout. Mattie’s friend Weaver faces racial barriers as an African American. Mrs. Wilcox, their teacher, writes feminist poetry and has fled from a controlling husband. Grace Brown’s story runs parallel to Mattie’s, highlighting the consequences of being trapped by circumstances.
Poverty is another significant theme, reflected in Mattie’s family, who work tirelessly on their farm, and in Emmie, Mattie’s neighbor struggling to feed her children. The narrative is rich with well-developed characters, especially Mrs. Wilcox, who uses her education to help children achieve more than their circumstances might otherwise allow. She is a progressive woman who escaped her difficult situation.
The writing is smooth and engaging, making the story feel very realistic. Each chapter set in the past begins with a new word Mattie has looked up in her battered dictionary, tying it to the chapter’s events. The book is captivating, and Mattie is a character to root for, a bright girl deserving of more than what society expects of her.
“A Northern Light” is a compelling read for both young people and adults, delivering a well-executed and moving drama that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it.
