A heartbreaking tale of pain, love, and redemption set in New York City
Approaching the Speed of Light is a story of tragedy and triumph, fragility and strength. Victoria Lustbader's brave narrative shines a powerful light on the lasting damage caused by childhood demons that can prevent a life from blossoming, on the relationships needed in order to overcome them, and on one man's attempt to solve the elusive puzzle of true happiness.
Until he was nine years old, when he was adopted into a loving family, Jody was a little boy whose only experience of love was a painful, twisted hell. Now, two decades later, he moves from one woman to another, pointedly avoiding love—the thing he wants most but has never known how to give or take. Jody trusts only his wise and faithful dog Einstein to truly understand him and the darkness that haunts his life even in the bright light of a summer's day.
A chance meeting with Tess, an elderly woman still mourning her long-dead son, sends Jody on a journey back to the tortured memories buried deep below his scars. Tess brings Jody together with Ella Landreth and her shy young son, Evan. These people grow to need one another far more than any of them could have ever imagined.
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“Lustbader…nails the mental and physical horrors of living without love, approval, or basic comforts…Few will fail to be moved by the child’s plight.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“Lustbader crafts a beautiful novel about surviving tragedy and overcoming defeat, even when life’s demons almost seem indestructible.”
— BooklistBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Victoria Lustbader, a former book editor, is the author of the novels Hidden and Stone Creek. As an editor she worked with such authors as Ursula LeGuin, Harlan Ellison, and Robert Silverberg. She divides her time between New York City, where she was born and raised, and Southampton, New York.
Stephen R. Thorne, winner of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration, is a professional actor and member of the resident acting company at Providence’s esteemed Trinity Repertory Company, where he has played Hamlet, Henry V, and Tom Joad.