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Light Boxes (2009)

by Shane Jones

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4402756,974 (3.46)47
A poignant and fantastical first novel by a timeless new literary voice. With all the elements of a classic fable, vivid descriptions, and a wholly unique style, this idiosyncratic debut introduces a new and exciting voice to readers of such authors as George Saunders, Kurt Vonnegut, and Yann Martel. In Light Boxes, the inhabitants of one closely-knit town are experiencing perpetual February. It turns out that a god-like spirit who lives in the sky, named February, is punishing the town for flying, and bans flight of all kind, including hot air balloons and even children's kites. It's February who makes the sun nothing but a faint memory, who blankets the ground with snow, who freezes the rivers and the lakes. As endless February continues, children go missing and more and more adults become nearly catatonic with depression. But others find the strength to fight back, waging war on February.… (more)
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» See also 47 mentions

English (26)  Italian (1)  All languages (27)
Showing 1-5 of 26 (next | show all)
I think I formed far too concrete of an expectation for this, based on... nothing? The cover, our weather? The book was good in its own right but I also want to read the story I half-imagined. Basically what I am saying is it doesn't matter how surrealistically you meta, I want an epic defeat of February. ( )
  Kiramke | Jun 27, 2023 |
Poetic, prescient, almost mythic in its simplicity. Unlike any book I've ever read: Jones is a genius for mood, allegory, poetic prose, and dissident voices. ( )
  proustitute | Apr 2, 2023 |
This would have to be one of the most bizarre books I have ever read, and yet, I rather enjoyed it. The way it was written, both visually and with the different POV's kept my interest piqued. I also had no idea at any moment where this story was even going. ( )
  spiritedstardust | Dec 29, 2022 |
Neat concept - facing eternal February (dead of winter). Especially given I read it in a remote cabin in upper, upper peninsula Michigan trying to decide if my man and I want to be hermits here for the rest of our days. We're heavily leaning towards "yes, please" despite (because of?) the 8 months of snow. However, this novel (novella, who's he kidding?) was strange - and that's coming from me. Still, appreciated the mood to help ponder my life crossroads.

#drunkreview ( )
  dandelionroots | Feb 16, 2022 |
Strange and wonderful. ( )
  captainsunbeam | Oct 16, 2020 |
Showing 1-5 of 26 (next | show all)
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Epigraph
The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism but February. - Joseph Wood Kutch, The Twelve Seasons
Dedication
For Melanie
First words
We sat on the hill. We watched the flames inside the balloons heat the fabric to neon colors. The children played Prediction.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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A poignant and fantastical first novel by a timeless new literary voice. With all the elements of a classic fable, vivid descriptions, and a wholly unique style, this idiosyncratic debut introduces a new and exciting voice to readers of such authors as George Saunders, Kurt Vonnegut, and Yann Martel. In Light Boxes, the inhabitants of one closely-knit town are experiencing perpetual February. It turns out that a god-like spirit who lives in the sky, named February, is punishing the town for flying, and bans flight of all kind, including hot air balloons and even children's kites. It's February who makes the sun nothing but a faint memory, who blankets the ground with snow, who freezes the rivers and the lakes. As endless February continues, children go missing and more and more adults become nearly catatonic with depression. But others find the strength to fight back, waging war on February.

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