The Light Through the Leaves

A Novel

By: Glendy Vanderah

Narrated by: Susannah Jones

Go on a powerful journey of forgiveness and healing with The Light Through the Leaves, a transcendent novel of love, loss, and self-discovery by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Where the Forest Meets the Stars.

One unbearable mistake at the edge of the forest.

In a moment of crisis, Ellis Abbey leaves her daughter, Viola, unattended - for just a few minutes. But when she returns, Viola is gone. A breaking point in an already fractured marriage, Viola’s abduction causes Ellis to disappear as well - into grief, guilt, and addiction. Convinced she can only do more harm to her family, Ellis leaves her husband and young sons, burying her desperate ache for her children deeper with every step into the mountain wildernesses she treks alone.

In a remote area of Washington, a young girl named Raven keeps secrets inside, too. She must never speak to outsiders about how her mother makes miracles spring from the earth, or about her father, whose mysterious presence sometimes frightens her. Raven spends her days learning how to use her rare gifts - and more important, how to hide them. With each lesson comes a warning of what dangers lie in the world beyond her isolated haven. But despite her mother’s cautions, Raven finds herself longing for something more.

As Ellis and Raven each confront their powerful longings, their journeys will converge in unexpected and hopeful ways, pulled together by the forces of nature, love, and family.

©2021 by Glendy Vanderah. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A memorable story of love’s healing power.” —Publishers Weekly

“A unique page-turner of remarkable richness, a tale of unthinkable trauma and the powerful, steady healing to be found in the natural world. I love the women in Vanderah’s novels, women who are allowed to be as flawed and raw and brave and fierce as men. And I loved the unfolding layers in this book, layers of love and disaster, secrets and longings, mothers and children, and always, nature as the steady backdrop to all life, offering the hope of renewal at all turns. Exquisite.” —Barbara O’Neal, USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids

“Glendy Vanderah’s love for nature shines through in this captivating story about love and loss and carrying on in the face of tragedy. Bursting with extraordinary moments of magic and beauty, it is an enchanting story that tugged at my heartstrings from the very first page and did not let go.” —Suzanne Redfearn, bestselling author of In an Instant

A Life Changing Experience For Me

Although I didn't listen using the audio, I couldn't find a place to leave a review elsewhere. I just had to say how this book opened me up to what I have been missing. Such an inspiring beautiful story. After a tumultuous two years and moving to Palm Desert, you made me realize that this is not my place in the world. I crave the lush forests and ground covered in fragrant pine needle padding the way. The wildflowers and the four seasons and the wind in the trees. It is magical and I miss those feelings desperately. I'm not sure what I will do about it...I'm 71 years old and it's not so easy the meet this challenge, but your story lead me to discover what has been previously obscured. Thank you, thank you. Maybe this is why I haven't been able to fully unpack and move in!!

It wasn’t what I expected

Worth a read/listen.

I expected the usual man cheats and woman falls apart story. Although there is a-lot of crying in the beginning it helps sets the stage and helps you understand “Ellis’ star of mind.
The family disfunction is palpable and I was thrilled that wasn’t the case.

It took a left hand turn early on and kept going. Although some elements were predictable- overall I really enjoyed it, was riveted by many of the characters and despite everything I liked the ending.

Heartfelt

Loved it as much as the first one. I was concerned because of some of the reviews. I have some conservative Christian values but did not feel attacked. There was one hateful woman that was supposedly a Christian but we don't c!so. her. The story was an emotional rollercoaster at times but beautifully written. Encompasses family issues and love in all it's forms, pain , joy , self destruction and redemption.

And they lived happily ever after…

Enjoyed!!! This is a feel good story. Reasonably exciting and several storylines keep it interesting. A good summer read.

Loved this book

Y/A book I believe, but this ol guy really enjoyed it! FANTASTIC ending!!! Great LOVE story!

I loved this book!

Loved all the characters! Wonderful performance. Amazing how this story was pulled together. So many things I didn’t see coming towards the end.

almost wonderful

This book was ALMOST perfect - the story is unique and tugs at the heartstrings. However, it feels like the author tried to do just a little bit too much with the story. There is just one or two too many tragedies, and it takes away from the realism.

excellent book

I could not stop listening. This is a fabulous read with a great ending. well worth the time and one I will read again.

Strong characters living worse parents nightmare...

My heart ached for Ellis in this book. Good character development and author has knack for tying in visualization writing that really enhances the reading. Only negative is at least 2/3s or more of book is building up plot and then almost feels like author rushes to tie up all the loose pieces into the last few chapters. Overall well worth a listen.

Wow

Completely blow away. Couldn’t stop listening. Extremely sad moments with a satisfying ending. I highly recommend this listen the narrator is excellent.