Synopses & Reviews
Telling a story of a rarely recognized segment of eating disorder sufferers—young men—
A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is a book for fans of the complex characters and emotional truths in Laurie Halse Anderson's
Wintergirls and Jay Asher's
Thirteen Reasons Why.
Mike Welles had everything under control. But that was before. Now things are rough at home, and they're getting confusing at school. He's losing his sense of direction, and he feels like he's a mess. Then there's a voice in his head. A friend, who's trying to help him get control again. More than that—the voice can guide him to become faster and stronger than he was before, to rid his life of everything that's holding him back. To figure out who he is again. If only Mike will listen.
Review
“A Trick of the Light is a masterpiece of narrative voice, riveting from beginning to end. I can honestly say Ive never read anything like it. Stunningly original and profoundly insightful, this book has touched me as a reader and inspired me as a writer.” James Howe, author of Addie On the Inside
Review
“Mikes world is beginning to spin out of control. But the voice in his head can tell him exactly how to “master the chaos” in this horror story wrapped in reality. A Trick of the Light deserves to stand on the same shelf as Laurie Halse Andersons Wintergirls.” Richard Peck, Newbery Medal-winning author of A Year Down Yonder
Review
"Lois Metzger's deeply interior story sheds necessary light on an otherwise unspoken pain. A must-read." Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor author of One Crazy Summer
Review
“At its heart, A Trick of the Light is a compassionate and inventive exploration of a little-understood behavior that plagues a surprising number of young men.” Patricia McCormick, National Book Award finalist for Never Fall Down
Review
“Lois Metzgers deeply interior story sheds necessary light on an otherwise unspoken pain. A must-read.” Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor author of One Crazy Summer
Review
“An unsettling story that offers a painful and necessary account of how eating disorders affect boys, too. Metzgers choice to cast the disease in the role of narrator forces readers inside Mikes head, an extremely uncomfortable yet illuminating way to examine this lethal disease.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
“Startlingly original… Metzgers compelling psychological drama takes on the subject of a boy with an eating disorder. The narrative voice-Mikes eating disorder, personified-is the star of this masterfully written novel, which becomes a horror story of sorts.” The Horn Book
Review
“Metzgers cautionary tale is made more powerful and dramatic by her choice of narrator: the voice in Mikes head. Readers will be easily caught by the quandary: Will the voice prevail, or will Mike recover control of his mind-and his body-before its too late?” Michael Cart, ALA Booklist
Review
“The story is well-plotted and its prose engaging… an ambitious and unusual take on teens and eating disorders.” Kirkus Reviews
Review
“A unique look at mental illness [and a] powerful method of illustrating the warped thinking that characterizes an eating disorder. This unusual and moving novel addresses complicated ideas, and is ultimately a hopeful tale about coming back to life.” Katie Haegele, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Review
“The [narrative] voice in A Trick of the Light is manipulative and deceitful, drawing readers into Mikes head and forcing them to decide for themselves whats true and whats twisted. Dont be misled by the books small size: This slim volume packs a big emotional punch.” Jill Ratzan, BookPage
Review
“Stunning, heart-wrenching, and painful, yet uplifting and hopeful, A Trick of the Light is an important book for teens. Told from the male point of view, A Trick of the Light addresses negative body image and weight issues for boys.” Pamela Thompson, Library Media Specialist, El Paso, Texas
Review
“A new and important look at an issue that deserves our attention, and compassion.” Beth Kephart, author of Small Damages and Handling the Truth
Review
“A Trick of the Light is a marvel. Its hard to imagine a more convincing and insightful depiction of a teenager dealing with a serious personal issue, and yet the story does so in a mysterious and unexpected way.” Todd Strasser, author of If I Grow Up
Review
“A Trick of the Light should be required reading in our schools. Rendered with sensitivity and intelligence, Metzgers beautifully drawn novel illuminates the sneaky-insidious nature of eating disorders with clarity, heart-rending honesty, and hope.” Robert Crais, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Suspect
Review
“A chilling, straightforward novel written with depth and understanding, A Trick of the Light shows readers that they must always be vigilant about the voice they listen to-even when it is their own.” School Library Journal
Synopsis
Mike Welles had everything under control.
He was a good student, an outfielder on the baseball team, a good son, a loyal friend. But that was before. Now things are rough at home, and they're getting confusing at school. He's losing his sense of direction, and he feels like a mess.
Then there's a voice in his head. A friend, trying to help him regain control. More than that: The voice can guide him to become better and stronger than he was before, to rid his life of everything holding him back. To figure out who he is again. If only Mike will listen.
Writing with devastating power and precision, acclaimed author Lois Metzger gives us the story of one young man's battle with his own shadows—a spare, stark, and vital tale of the way in which the things we build to protect ourselves can threaten to destroy us.
About the Author
Lois Metzger was born in Queens and has always written for young adults. She is the author of three previous novels and two nonfiction books about the Holocaust, and she has edited five anthologies. Her short stories have appeared in collections all over the world. Her writing has also appeared in The New Yorker and The Nation, and she blogs for The Huffington Post. She lives in Greenwich Village with her husband, writer Tony Hiss, and their son.