A story of friendship across a long arc of history. Evers’ writing style punctuates the class divides and political tensions of the period. Original in scope and composition, the narrative explores the nuances of friendship and its limitations.

The Blind Light by Stuart Evers centers around two young soldiers and their families as they grow older. I just could not get into this book. I tried several times and finally gave up. It couldn't grab my attention even though I really wanted it to. I appreciate NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the galley but this one is a "no" for me. 2 stars
#TheBlindLight #NetGalley

This is a story about two young mean, Carter and Drummond. They couldn't be more different but they forge a friendship while working together at a training center that mimics the consequences of an atomic attack.

Set during the Cold War era, this book spans sixty years. I hate to say that it felt like this book took me sixty years to read. It isn't that Evers is a weak writer, the story just doesn't stop. Honestly, I feel that the book could have been whittled down to 1/3 of the length and been an overall better book that was much more enjoyable. It takes a lot for me to give less than a 3 star review. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 just because the writing isn't weak.

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I attempted to read this one a couple of times but I think it just wasn’t for me. I found the storyline to be confusing and it didn’t hold my interest. Others raved about it, though, so I must be in the minority. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this one early.

The Blind Light is one of the most perplexing books I've ever read. In that, while I couldn't put it down and wanted to know what happened next, I also didn't really care much for the characters? I'm not really sure how I feel. Some of the family drama was extremely captivating, especially the last few sections, but clocking in at over 500+ pages makes this one to grand for its own good.

Primarily, from the description of this novel, we're following the lives and "friendship" of two men named Drummond and Carter who worked at a nuclear testing site called Doom Town. From there, their lives intertwine and they become enveloped in the lingering fear of nuclear war almost through their old age. And while they're always a sort of main focus and in the background of the other character's POVs, they're more or less pawns to progress the drama into near melodramatic territory. Even by the end, I never really believed there was an ounce of true friendship between them. It was unhealthy and built on distrust and taking advantage of one another.

In these other POVs we have Anneka/Annie/Neka/Fish who is the daughter of Drummond and Gwen, another character we get lots of time with. We also have Nate who is still one of the more baffling characters to me. Halfway through the book his internal monologues are always about him wanting to kill someone or hurt somebody. It's built up so much and ultimately has no payoff. It's just kind of dropped from the story. Not that he had to but Stuart Evers really tries to build tension there for no reason. I just don't have much to say about them in the grand scheme of things because they end up side tracking the more interesting bits between Drummond and Carter, until the end as I mentioned where everything is dialed up to 11 and becomes gripping storytelling.

A minor piece that stopped bugging me after some hundred pages is the disjointed, scattered prose. It's a bit tough to get into but I think works at the end of the day. Minus some sections where it seems like some tragedy just occurred out of nowhere but then turns out to be a "what-if" scenario from the character we're following. It's jarring.

I think I'm glad to have read this but I don't really know if I could recommend it to someone. I feel a shorter, tighter narrative would have worked a lot better but as it is right now it's just kind of all over the place with what it's trying to do and say.

HUGE THANKS to W.W. Norton & Company and NetGalley who provided me an advanced digital copy over a year ago that archived because I waited too long. I ended up buying a hardback copy to read and make up for lost time.

A big thank you to the author Stuart Evers, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my candid opinion.

This premise for this book was really solid.....two post World War II English guys, one from a poor background, and one from a priveleged background serve in the military in the 1950's and become best friends. Their final destination before being discharged is a place called Doom Town which is a mocked up village that shows what it would look like if it had been hit by a nuclear weapon. This scary place influences thier lives going forward.

It is a story of friendship, sometimes good and sometimes very bad, and family and life under nuclear threat. But, my problem is that I never really liked the characters and the story takes some strange turns. I read it through to the end, but it was a struggle.

This epic story of the life and friendship between two distinctly different social classes reminds me so much of John Jakes' Kent family chronicles. The writing flows, the story follows a very definite path through some turbulent times when an effort must be made to be friends with someone not of your social circle. Two young men meet and bond during national service. They will be friends and more their whole lives. I had not read any of Stuart Evers back library but have already requested a couple of titles to see if I enjoy those too.

This book was not for me. I found it confusing as it jumped about and just not compelling enough to try to get through.

Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
Unfortunately, this book took me a lot longer to finish than I expected. My initial thought is that the story wasn't as developed as it could have been. That said, the writing was beautiful. I just wish there was more depth to the storyline and characters.

This shall remain unrated because I could not finish it. I tried at least 4 different times, the first time through a Netgalley ARC and then 3 other times when I borrowed it from the library in an attempt to finally complete it. But try as I might, I couldn't become interested in the book. I didn't particularly like the main characters, the story was honestly pretty boring, and I really couldn't figure out where the story was going. There are so many books out there that I want to read that I'm going to throw in the towel. This will end up being the first ARC I could not finish and maybe the 3rd book that I've completely given up on. 2 of the other books on my "abandoned" list are books I can see myself reading again in the future. But not this one. Sorry to those who are great fans of this book. But I'm not one of them.

Thanks to NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this title.

I had great hopes for The Blind Light, but in the end came away disappointed. It's the story of Drum and Carter, who meet in the 1950s in the military. The book follows their friendship over a number of years but I found it to be entirely too long. I kept wanting the plot to move forward but it seemed to plod along. I'm not sure this would appeal to book groups due to the slow pace and sheer length of the book.

One of my favorites from NetGalley. I loved the story of Carter and Drum, two young men who meet during their military service and become lifelong friends. We see these types of books that focus on women a lot but not so much with men. I loved how the author brought in so many moments of international history, from the IRA, Cubans Missile Crisis to ISIS, this author did his research. It’s a slow burn type of book and essentially character driven rather than plot centered, which when done well is my favorite type of book. Definitely recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a truly great book to read. It kept my attention well after my bedtime and up to the dawn.

Stuart Evers’ latest novel THE BLIND LIGHT spans 60 years, always a daunting task for a novelist. It is a tale of friendship and family threatened by the fear nuclear destruction. In 1959, working class Drummond Moore and upper-class James Carter meet while doing their national service at Doom Town, a nuclear training ground. They develop a mutual dependency between them which continues after their service despite the difference in their lives.

I never fully understand why Drummond is so in awe of Carter, which colored my reading experience. I think I needed to understand and relate to the center of this book; their friendship. Sadly, I did not.

For me, this was not a great read, perhaps it would appeal more to someone looking for the historical aspects of the book.

Sorry, I realized a did not leave a review for this book prior. I just found it hard to follow and become engaged in the book. I apologize for writing in so late, but thought I should comment on my view. With some editing and development, I think the book had potential.

Thank you NetGalley, Stuart Evers, and Publisher for providing a copy of this book to me. I really appreciate it.

I wasn't able to get into this book. The premise is interesting but perhaps it's just the wrong timing for this one. Also, for longer and harder, tougher books sometimes e-books aren't the best format. So, at another time and in paper format, it could work.

Although this started off slow, it quickly picked up until I was lost for days. Well written and absorbing. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

This is a beautifully-written, wonderful book. There's so much to like. Evers' eye for detail and ear for just the right word are unmatched. I loved it! I will definitely recommend this one.

Drummond and Carter met as soldiers and went together to “Doomtown,” a training center that simulates the aftermath of an atomic strike. Their unlikely friendship blossomed throughout their time in the military and helped them deal with the unforgettable knowledge of what will happen during a nuclear strike. Drummond relied on Carter's wealth and status to create a better life, but was at a high cost to their wives and kids. This story explores tough love, friendship, regrets, and amends.

I was intrigued by the description of the book starts off in 1959 during the Cuban Missile Crisis time period and spans until present day. The Blind Light had its moments of enjoyment, but other times it just was a running of phrases and words that seemed a bit much and unnecessary. It was hard to stay engaged, but he second half was much better than the beginning.

Thank you NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, but after I got halfway through it I had to abandon ship. It just seemed to drag, jumped around time frames and characters with our any form and I found myself constantly confused. My apologies to the author..
3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author and publisher for a copy of this ARC.. All opinions expressed are my own.