Author: Jenn J McLeod
ISBN: 9781925030280
RRP: $29.99
I have only heard good things about the Seasons Collection and Jenn’s debut House of all Seasons was one of our book club reads, one I unfortunately didn’t read but have got on my towering TBR to get to. After having read Season of Shadow and Light I am even more determined to go back and read the first two in the collection.
Season of Shadow and Light is a complex story filled with secrets which make for some intense mystery that kept me guessing, some of those guesses made room for some hairy situations had they come to pass. It is a story of family, of trust, of betrayal and most of all of healing. I loved it from the very first page to the very last.
We have multiple story tellers, three for the most part but then an extra joins the ranks late in the piece, for a broad perspective and a much more insightful story. This method allowed us to see deep inside the story, and understand motivations that we may not have otherwise while driving the mystery and sustaining suspense. Yes, there were some predictable outcomes but there were some that took quite a bit of working out and many is it or isn’t it moments all the while ensuring that not all the questions were answered.
Paige Turner has given herself a time out from her life and packed up her 6 year old daughter Matilda for a road trip. Perhaps a little rash, not completely thought out, but something she felt she had to do and when Alice couldn’t talk her out of it she decided to tag along. The plan was to head to small town Saddleton with some half baked idea to find out a little more about her history because she knows very little about her mothers roots.
The dynamics in Season of Shadow and Light are not so much new but not often explored, it is becoming much more common now but this was a family dynamic that I was new to in literature. Paige grew up with two mothers in a time that it was far from common, and even further from socially acceptable so the fact that her history goes back no further than her birth is not that hard to understand. Nancy was Paige’s birth mother, who passed away when she was a child, and Alice was her partner. After Nancy’s death Alice took on the role as Paige’s mother and that made life a little simpler.
The timeline jumps around a little which I did have trouble following at times because the characters seemed to wander off into their memories without notice, totally sidetracking a scene and there were times I wasn’t quite sure if we ended up getting to the end of the scene in the present because we got so caught up in the past. Except for the fact that it confused me at times this helped to drive the story because so much was rooted in the history of these characters.
The last couple of years haven’t been kind to Paige; after marrying her first love and thinking she had it all they pursued their career goals and then started working on their family. Robert Turner dotes on his darling Matilda but not so much on his wife anymore. Paige suffered the loss of a baby and then a post partum stroke which stole her sense of taste and smell, which in turn robbed her of her dream job as a professional food reviewer. The relationship between Paige and Robert is already strained but then news of a major betrayal comes to light and Paige’s wobbly personal life starts to topple. The perfect excuse to set off in search of Saddleton and information about a young Nancy.
Circumstance sees them land in Coolabah Tree Gully, not far from Saddleton but a world away from the life she’s always known. A place she finds a sense of peace, an affinity for horses she was previously unaware of and a simple country life experience for Matilda.
McLeod deftly explores same sex unions in a time when ‘that sort of lifestyle choice needs to be hidden for the benefit of the family’s reputation’. There are other things I would like to mention but in the interest of keeping this spoiler free I’m not sure what I should or shouldn’t say.
Trust and betrayal are huge themes in Season of Shadow and Light and they are portrayed from all angles, highlighting the shades of grey and absence of black and white. There are many forms of betrayal and a million ways for a trust to be broken. Where do you draw the line between betrayal and protecting your loved ones?
Season of Shadow and Light captures the head, the heart and the soul with it’s exploration of the importance in contrast. There can be no shadow without light, every yin needs its yang, and the choice is always there to love and heal, to grow and forgive as it is to fester in hate and bitterness. A fantastic introduction to Jenn J McLeod for me and a reading relationship I intend to fully explore.
Season of Shadow and Light is book #22 for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge.
You can find Season of Shadow and Light in all good bookstores now, and at Simon & Schuster.
Jenn J McLeod can be followed on Twitter, Facebook and her Website.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
I was keen to read this novel for a number of reasons: I love discovering new Australian authors, I enjoy books that are told from different charactersâ perspectives and as a fairly ânewâ Australian I enjoy reading stories set in country towns.
The brief prologue caught my attention and I quickly became absorbed in Paigeâs story â eager to know what had caused her health issues and what the story was behind her nightmares.
I enjoyed meeting the characters and trying to work out how they and their lives fitted into the story. This quickly became a book I found hard to put down (always a great sign!) and I was very relieved when we had a wet windy afternoon which was the perfect excuse to become completely absorbed in the book and its characters. I did enjoy hearing different charactersâ voices â it gave the story depth and gave me a greater understanding of their motives.
Although at first I saw the book as Paigeâs story by the end I felt it was also Aliceâs story and at times I wanted to learn more about Alice and her background, some of my questions were answered but not all. I also wanted to learn more about her and Nancyâs lives together and the prejudice they must have encountered.
While I canât say I found the conclusion much of a surprise â I do like a story to actually have a conclusion. So this book did live up to my expectations and I will certainly be seeking out Jennâs other novels to enjoy on future wet windy days.
Question: What do you find the most challenging part of writing a new book? Is it getting started or knowing when the manuscript is definitely finished and ready for the next stage?
Jacky, I so agree. Alice stole the story. She was not supposed to!!! As for Paige and her illness. My sister actually inspired this character. She lost her sense of smell and taste many years ago. Thank you for reading and enjoying the story.
I wanted to read this story from the original synopsis as I too come from a small country town and often wonder what my life would be like if I retuned there to live. When I started the book I wondered how was I going to get through it as I didn’t really like the characters. However a few more chapters in and I was captured by Alice, Paige and Aiden. Such a different story to what I expected and as the characters evolved I found myself wondering how it would end. A real mix of characters, mix of personalities and mix of circumstances. I loved the story but I want more! What happens to Rory and does she have a life with her love Juma. How was the transplants etc? There is another story here! Please Jenn J McLeod – your next book please!
Oh, Denise, your comment just made me smile like you would not believe. đ That is just wonderful.
I have not read any of Jenn J McLeod’s books before, but that is something that I will be changing from now on. I really enjoyed ‘Season of light and shadow’ and found it difficult to put down.
I must confess that initially I got really frustrated reading the book. Books that dangle little pieces of information in front of you without giving you the full story are really frustrating and that’s what was happening with this one. At first there were a few hints and references to something big that had happened to the main character, Paige, in the past, and I kept thinking that maybe I had missed some vital information that explained what it was. But the line was out and I got caught hook, line and sinker, just as I think Jenn probably expected!
I did enjoy the story more once I understood the background history about Paige. It all fell into place and then I was able to concentrate on what was happening ‘now’.
I enjoyed that Paige grew up with two mums and that there were some reflections from Alice’s point of view. I think without being in-your-face, the story provided a snippet of what life is like/has been like for lesbians and I think that giving information in an easy format, like an enjoyable book, can help us all to be more accepting of people’s choices.
My question for Jenn is: Would you ever think about doing a sequel to the ‘Season of shadow and light’? You know, the epilogue gave us some information about the future for these characters, but what really happened and how did it happen? Aiden reconnected with Eamon, but Eamon had autism (or something) didn’t he? So, how exactly did they reconnect? How did both Alice and Rory go after their kidney donation/transplants? How did all of them go about building their relationships with all that had happened in the past? I don’t expect you to answer all of these questions now – but as I said before, a sequel would be great!
Thank you so much Jenn and Beauty and Lace for letting me review this book >:o)
Wow! I loved reading that. And to think you were invested enough to want to know what happened after the last page. That is a lovely thing, from where sit. Thank you, Simone.
Ahh, sorry I’ve just read the comment above mine and the question for Jenn is the same. Must be saying something though Jenn!!!!
Yes! But maybe those characters have been through enough???? đ
Firstly thanks for allowing me to review this awesome book.I found it hard going at first as the storyline jumped to the 3 different characters but once I got more involved I found it hard to put down.The storyline reminded me of everyday people & their secrets & troubles that somehow rectify themselves as time goes by but it always seems that some people think it best to take their secret to the grave.Who is it better for the one who has passed or the one that is trying to exist with questions?Anyway I loved the storyline the depth of characters & even while thinking of what will happen next enjoyed the ending.I had one problem which is a personal view every time the strongest character Alice was front & centre for some unknown reason I kept getting a vision of Alice from the Brady Bunch really weird I know but this didn’t detract from reading a very enjoyable book.
My question was Coffs Harbour really called Korffs Harbour?Fact or Fiction?
Carol, a fascinating bit of insight into character names and readers. Thank you. Some of my friends thing I AM WEIRD because I spend so much time on choosing names – for this very reason you explain. Being a HUGE Brady Bunch fan I admit I did not think of ‘that’ Alice. But I so understand what you mean. I was lucky to have a real life Alice to draw on (memories only sadly) when i needed to draw out some of the more emotional stuff. And yes, the Korffs Harbour name is a true – factual history from Coffs. đ If you are familiar with the area you will LOVE next years release – set on a banana plantation and also Nambucca’s V- Wall.
Have thoroughly enjoyed Season of Shadow and Light. Although the story line is very predictable it is nonetheless very delightful to see the way the characters go about exploring the changes in their lives. It is really refreshing to see non mainstream relationships explored in a non judgemental way. The detailed descriptions of the Australian country town and the different perspectives presented really bring the characters to life. Jenn J McLeod will be on my list of authors for future light reading.
Thank you so much to Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read this delightful book. I congratulate Jenn J McLeod on an amazing novel. At the start I was a bit unclear as to what the deal was with Paige and her illness but obviously the story was still taking off and introductions to the central characters still being made and by the time the trio of Paige, Alice and Matilda reached Coolabah Tree Gully I was hooked and didnt want to put the book down. The story is full of drama – and then some, at times I thought this is better than Days Of Our Lives, but all the drama and depth and intensity is what made for such a compelling, sensational read. I loved the suspense of the Paige and Aiden frienship/relationship, the will they? Won’t they? Can They? (Robert is a doofus anyway). I also found intruiguing the characters past and present lives and history and felt the themes and issues surrounding the book were given sensitivity and thought. I also liked how the issue of Mall Man’s encounter with Paige at the start of the book was cleared up at the end and the tartan coat horse was also symbolic particularly at the end. I couldnt help but love all the characters even tough chick Rory and with all they had to endure, well let’s just say I’m a sucker for a happy ending. Thanks again for a fantastic read. I look forward to more of your work and will strongly recommend this novel to family and friends.
My question to Jenn J McLeod is: Do your travels play a big role in inspiring a novel?
Oh, you made me laugh aloud at Robert being a doofus, Dancr. (Secret: I used my ex-hubby’s name to help get into character when writing. It worked, eh? LOL) I love that you mentioned Mall Man too. He almost ended up on the cutting room floor. I had to fight my editor to keep him. đ Yay! I so appreciate you spreading the word to friends and family. Every book sold means I can buy a coffee!!!!! đ
Jenn,
I thoroughly enjoyed your book. I loved the fact that you have introduced quite interesting and unique characters. You have nicely introduced the “Gay” Theme in your story. I work in a high school library and are always on the look out for books to recommend to our students. This is the first of your novels i have read and have thoroughly enjoyed it.
My question to you is “What inspires you to write” ?
HI Ria, thank you. Students may also like to read about Noah in Simmering Season. It has a few relevant themes that also touch on road safety with young people (rec drugs and driving / ute surfing. ) Thank you for posting.
Thanks for the opportunity to read Season of Shadow and Light. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and loved how Jenn didn’t hesitate to broach the subject of same sex relationships.
I found the characters to be likeable and believable and enjoyed reading about their journey. I felt for Alice when she struggled with the choice of whether to keep her promise to Nancy or reveal the secret to Paige. I did get a bit frustrated at times as my opinion was that Alice should share the secret.
Some parts of the story I didn’t get, like when the man at the mall embraced Paige, then nothing more was written about it, but of course it all came together at the end.
This is the first Jenn J McLeod novel I have read, but it certainly won’t be the last.
My question to Jenn is: Are any of the characters in the book based on people you know or they entirely fiction?
Thank you Tracy. Nice to ‘meet’ you too. Books are lovely like that. đ
Thanks for the opportunity to read this book!
At first I found the book a bit hard to get into. I think it was because it is written in a style that is very heavy with descriptive words. It take did me a while but there was a point when I was hooked, and each night I would do the âone more chapterâ deal and found myself awake way too late as I couldnât put the book down. I found that the ending of each chapter opened a new little part of the mystery which tempted me to start the next chapter.
I found the main characters were very likable and I especially liked Paige and Aiden, but reading from Aliceâs perspective was the one that gave most of the secrets to us. I liked the mystery that built all through the book, and without wanting to give it away I thought for a long time that a certain character was going to turn out playing a different part.
I did find some parts were slightly disjointed as they switched between the past and the present but I quickly got used to that occurring and it didnât catch me out. Sometimes it jumped back to the present and I was wishing I could see more of the past that had been playing out. I liked how the past and present aligned in the end, and the Mall Man was a nice touch â I wish we could have found out what happened with that later on.
The end was a little anti-climax âhappy endingâ but I must admit one of the last chapters shocked me as it didnât give away much at first and I thought 2 other conclusions before I found the truth. I was happy though that the ending gave answers to most of what happened and was quite final. Overall it was a good read and portrayed a really good story.
P.S this story has made me think how awful it would be with no smell or taste â food is a huge part of my life (and not career wise)!!
My question: Do you have a favourite place to go, food to eat, or ritual, etc to get you into the right mind set for writing?
Steph, thank yu. My sister lost her sense of smell (and therefore taste) and yes, it is a bummer in so many ways. Lucky Kris is not so into her food as me. A meal for me is an event – every time. Wine helps!! đ