A lyrical and poignant gift from one of America's great storytellers.
On a sunny summer day in 1948, Noah Locke arrives in Bowerstown, a small North Carolina community bordered by lakes and set deep in the Valley of Light. A quiet, simple man and a war veteran, Noah has a mystical gift for fishing, yet he remains haunted by the war and by the terrible scenes he witnessed when his infantry unit liberated Dachau. His wandering—doing odd jobs and catching fish for sale or trade—is both an escape from his past and a search for a place to call home.
In the valley, Noah is initially treated with amusement by the locals he meets at Taylor Bowers's general store—until he begins fishing. Once they see his almost magical skills, however, he becomes the talk of the valley and is urged to stay long enough to participate in the annual school fishing contest. He agrees, accepting a job offer by Taylor to paint his store when he isn't filling orders for fish. He finds lodging in an abandoned shack by a small lake the locals call the Lake of Grief and, also, the Lake of No Fish, because they think all the fish have disappeared. Noah knows they are wrong. Beneath the water is a warrior bass waiting to test Noah's gift.
In the way that innocence creates powerful events, Noah meets Eleanor Cunningham, a young widow whose husband supposedly killed himself after returning home from the war. Over the course of a week, Noah will be led into the secret lives of the residents of the Valley of Light, will join them as they mourn a tragedy, and will experience a miracle that will guide him home at last.
Luminous, memorable, and deeply moving, The Valley of Light is the finest work to date from a brilliant storyteller.
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"I loved this book but I'm finding it hard to put into words the reason why. The simplicity I suppose. The quiet man Noah with an ability that could only be described as magical. There was not a single moment I didn't enjoy. I love an author who can write magical realism in a way that seems so real. Terry Kay definitely did in The Valley of Light. The author narration was impressive. His tone & Johnny Cash like sound made the story very easy to listen to. Thanks Nancy R. for the recommendation."
— Clacie (5 out of 5 stars)
" Very nice whole hearted book. The book and movie on Lifetime were both good. "
— Rebecca, 1/21/2014" Noah Locke arrives in a small town in NC. A quiet simple man, war vet (WWII) with a mystical gift for fishing. He is haunted by the war and his only sibling in jail. He wanders doing odd jobs and fishing. He meets a young widow. He is brought into the lives of the people in this "Valley of Light" and learns why he was sent here. "
— Jennifer, 1/20/2014" What is intriguing about Kay's two books I have read so far is that they involve a bit of the unbelievable but in such a way so as to make them the opposite; plausible in a way. I'll have another helping, thank you very much... "
— Scott, 1/18/2014" Story was fair, not a lot of depth to it, could not get interested enough to care about any of the characters though. "
— Julie, 1/14/2014" A simply beautiful book. Terry Kay has quickly injected himself onto my top 3 contemporary fiction writer list. Wonderful, skilled, smart writing, compelling characters, and a plot so interesting it doesn't require a bunch of murder and dismemberment to be "interesting". "
— Scott, 1/3/2014" This is a good (although not terribly exciting) book. If you like Lifetime/Hallmark Channel movies, you'll like it. "
— Liz, 12/31/2013" very slow beginning but then it kinda picks up-about a roaming fly fisherman who has a special 'knack' for catching fish...and the one that got away "
— Jessica, 12/31/2013" Terry Kay is so good. It's a shame more people don't discover him. This is one novel that truly deserves the adjective luminous. "
— Chapple, 12/29/2013" Kind of slow, but surprisingly good. "
— Kim, 12/29/2013" First book I've read by this author, and I will definitely read more. Terry Kay has a beautiful way of developing characters in such a short space of time. Beautiful book! "
— Vicki, 12/28/2013" This is a quiet book with a different kind of main character. By the same author as "To Dance with a White Dog." I enjoyed it but I don't think I will read everything Terry Kay has written. "
— Jane, 12/19/2013" Wow! Loved it! Not big on fishing, but this was a very enjoyable fish tale. Haha. "
— Cheryl, 12/7/2013" This was the first book I have read of Terry Kay...it was a good story... "
— Jillain, 11/6/2013" "From Terry Kay, one of America's most gifted storytellers, comes a poignant novel of love, acceptance, and the wonders of the world in which we live." "
— Lynnette, 8/4/2013" Heartwarming story of a young man, who makes his living from fishing and tries to get over the nightmare visions of war events he'd seen, set in late 1940s. "
— Anna, 1/24/2013" Charming story of a young man in 1948 who is a wanderer. He is a remarkable fisherman. Revolves around fishing, life in a small town, helping others, finding himself. "
— Lynn, 12/22/2012" I LOVED this regional novel ... it transported me to a hazy hot afternoon shadowing my grandfather and uncles while they were fishing ... "
— Kristin, 8/12/2012" Wonderfully told story, simple but heartfelt just like the time and location the story is set in. "
— Amy, 6/22/2012" This was one of my favorite reads and was so well written that Hallmark made it into a movie! Very romantic as well as inspiring in belief! "
— Marcy, 3/3/2012" This was a very comfortable and enjoyable novel about a gifted fisherman who touches the lives of several people. "
— Terry, 6/18/2010" I just discovered this author and just love his writing. This story is set in 1948 rural Georgia. A young man recovering from WW2 has gone fishing for a few years, and happens into this valley in search of a legendary fish. Too good! "
— Jacqueline, 5/4/2010" Beautifully written - I still recommend it! "
— Cori, 2/25/2010" so the story isn't all happy happy, but it was heartwarming the setting (late 40's, North Carolina near Georgia) was peaceful - and helped me calm down from the holidays and get ready for "real life" again. "
— Mary, 2/22/2010" Had unique sayings the characters would say,a slow paced read. "
— Nancy, 11/18/2008
Terry Kay’s novels include Taking Lottie Home,The Runaway, Shadow Song, and the now-classic To Dance with the White Dog, twice nominated for the American Booksellers Book of the Year Award and winner of the Southeastern Library Association Book of the Year Award. He lives with his family in Athens, Georgia.