We Are the Light: A Novel

Written by Matthew Quick

Narrated by Luke Kirby

*“A treasure of a novel…read it and be healed.” —Justin Cronin * “Beautifully written and emotion-packed.” —Harlan Coben *

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook—made into the Academy Award–winning movie starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper—a poignant and hopeful novel about a widower who takes in a grieving teenager and inspires a magical revival in their small town.

Lucas Goodgame lives in Majestic, Pennsylvania, a quaint suburb that has been torn apart by a recent tragedy. Everyone in Majestic sees Lucas as a hero—everyone, that is, except Lucas himself. Insisting that his deceased wife, Darcy, visits him every night in the form of an angel, Lucas spends his time writing letters to his former Jungian analyst, Karl. It is only when Eli, an eighteen-year-old young man whom the community has ostracized, begins camping out in Lucas’s backyard that an unlikely alliance takes shape and the two embark on a journey to heal their neighbors and, most importantly, themselves.

From Matthew Quick, whose work has been described by the Boston Herald as “like going to your favorite restaurant. You just know it is going to be good,” We Are the Light is “a testament to the broken and the rebuilt” (Booklist, starred review). The humorous, soul-baring story of Lucas Goodgame offers an antidote to toxic masculinity and celebrates the healing power of art. In this unforgettable and optimistic tale, Quick reminds us that life is full of guardian angels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797147109

Matthew Quick

Matthew Quick (aka Q) is the author of The Silver Linings Playbook (Sarah Crichton Books / Farrar, Straus & Giroux) and three young adult novels, Sorta Like a Rock Star, Boy21, and Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock (Little, Brown & Co.). His work has received many honors--including a PEN/Hemingway Award Honorable Mention--been translated into many languages, and called "beautiful...first-rate" by The New York Times Book Review. The Weinstein Company and David O. Russell have adapted The Silver Linings Playbook into a film starring Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Lawrence. Matthew lives in Massachusetts with his wife, novelist Alicia Bessette. His website is www.matthewquickwriter.com.

Reviews for We Are the Light

[Victoria Edelsbrunner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Heavy in subject matter but light and hopeful in tone and handling. If you like John Green I'd say this is like an adult version of his books.

[Camille Walker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had heard so many good reviews about this book, so really look forward to listening to the audio version… It didn’t disappoint! I purposefully did not even read what the book was about - which made it all the better! A lovely, soul touching story and the narrator did an excellent job! I loved it!

[Erika Schoff · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The main character's self absorption was off putting. Especially when compared to the extreme selflessness of his closest friends.

Also, I felt sad for all the real life victims of violence that have to get up and go to work the next day. The ones who don't have friends that understand their grief and offer them grace when they have trauma-related behaviors. The ones who can't afford mental health counseling.

To me, it was not the feel-good, triumph over tragedy, believable story I was looking for.

I am interested in what other readers thought.

[Margaret Thornburg · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I've no idea what book was read by the givers of rave reviews, but I don't understand how it could have been this one. The story was just plain weird. The characters weren't likable. I'm not sure why I finished it.

[Selia Whitney · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So good, made me laugh and cry and 8 needed to talk about this book with someone.

[celma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful and memorable book. I am an avid reader and this book is one that will stay with me and I will probably Re-read more than once. It’s about community, good and evil, mental illness, love friendship, forgiveness and redemption. Quite a picture of the world we live in today.

[Tan Tiam Tze · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great book narrated in a great way. I loved it.

[sharon lewis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a very unusual book that tackles a hard subject. A senseless act of violence in a
small town vintage theater and how it affects several of the survivors of loss family members over the next five years. The author was extremely lyrical and composed in how he wrote the book. I listened to the audio version of the book and highly recommend it.
It will definitely be a novel that stays with for a long time.

[Scott Pichard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lucas is an incredibly endearing lead character! It explores the timely topic of gun violence with hope and depth.

Scott Pichard

[Cheri Flake · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely brilliant. I loved everything about this book. A loving and real look at tarima like nothing before…perfect. ?

[Natalie Pelafos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I will always remember this story of Lucas’s strength and pain, and the healing love of his precious friends. Tragic and beautiful.

[Lizzy Chen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing journey through a broken and healing mind. I listened to the last chapter rapt... and sit here tear stained, pensive and thankful that this book exists.