Traveling Light

I first read Traveling Light in 2002 after meeting Katrina at the Antioch Writers Workshop. There are books I have read and forgotten, but this was not one of them. Traveling Light is a five Kleenex book and this was true for me on that first read ten years ago and on the second, even though I knew what was coming next.

It was hard to read about the harsh realities of AIDS, of Todd's descent into death. Hard to read about the judgements and the anger characters inflict upon each other. These things however harsh they are to read, ring true. They make me long for something different, for the characters in the book and for the world in which we live.

There is beauty in the book as well. I love the quotes Todd leaves, not just because I too show more am a collector of quotes, but because he sends these quotes from all over the world, messages for those he loves, messages to carry on when he is gone. It is for this and for the loving way he treats all those around him that he is my favorite character. His messages carry on with the reader as well, long after the book is closed. show less

Summer was an up and coming ballerina in New York City but left it all behind to move back to Ohio to be near her beloved older brother Todd who is in his final months of life. Although only 29 years old Todd knows that he will die soon from Aids and wants only to have his husband Jacob and sister Summer by his side for the time he has left. During a visit to their parents farm Summer is thrown from a horse and suffers a severely broken ankle which puts a final end to her dancing career. Summer moves into Todd and Jacob's house to help care for her brother while distancing herself from her boyfriend Nicholas and begins a new career as a high school English teacher. Nicholas proposes marriage but Summer's preoccupation with Todd causes show more her to turn him down and fears that she may have ruined their relationship for good. Jacob and Summer stay by Todd's side throughout his ultimately fatal illness but are touched deeply by their experience and the love that Todd had for both of them.

This is a very difficult book to rate as it was at turns funny, gut-wrenching and charming. I liked the characters and the message of "traveling light", meaning to do away with things that don't really matter, was a good one. Todd and Summer's extended family were interesting, especially Grandma Anna who had been in a Nazi concentration camp after she was found to be hiding Jews in her Dutch home. Summer's involvement with two high school students, one a closeted gay and the other a young man with nothing but hatred for anyone different from himself, seemed a bit strange but earnest. I guess my main problem is that the story focused too often on sex and the story was understandably depressing. Kittle is a good writer and this was her first novel. I don't know if she has written any others but I would give them a try if she has. show less

It's rare that a book makes me cry, but this one did. While some parts of the book were predictable, I LOVED the characters and the overall storyline. I enjoy Kittle's conversational writing style, which made the book a quick and relatable read. As an Ohio native, I also appreciated the setting, as it reminded me of home. A very enjoyable read.

My review from Amazon:
Traveling Light has some great characters, Summer, Todd and Jacob in particular. I was so completely caught up in the story of Summer and her family, I finished the book the day I started it. The author explores some big ideas- the effects of discrimination, how to live in the moment even as someone you love is dying; but the details are what compelled me to keep reading. I loved the stories of life on a farm, the world of dance and theatre, the highs and lows of teaching, all the stories that brought each character to that point in time and propelled them forward.
I thought this book would be sad, and parts were sad. But Traveling Light is about life not death, and about family, the family you're born with and show more the family you choose. It is about the daily choices one makes to live. I highly recommend this book! show less

Summer has moved into the home with her brother Todd and his partner Jacob in order to help Todd through the final stages of AIDS. Despite the horrible moments and his sickness, Summer finds strength in helping Todd.

This book takes a look at a very serious topic and makes it real. It describes all of the tragedy of a terminal illness as well as the strength of the people surrounding Todd. It also addresses the prejudices against gays and those with AIDS. The characters are so believable that at times I had to remind myself I was reading a fiction novel. I would highly recommend this book to others.

An excellent book. This was the first I have read from this author and right away bought her other books to read. The story moved me, it was sad but at the same time beautiful.

A beautiful and moving novel about a woman who cares for her brother who is dying of AIDS.