Light Changes Everything: A Novel
In the summer of 1907, Mary Pearl Prine is a teenager living in the Arizona Territory. She is the youngest girl in a close family and responsible for looking after her two younger brothers, Ezra and Zachary. Despite living on a ranch and having no formal education, Mary Pearl’s artistic skill has been noticed, and she is accepted at Wheaton College.
Before she leaves for college, Mary Pearl is asked to write down all her grandmother’s memories.
During this time, she is courted by handsome, old-moneyed Aubrey Hanna. Her mother hopes she will marry him. Her Aunt Sarah, though, insists that Mary Pearl follow her long-time desire for further education, and she is persuaded to leave home to go to college. At Wheaton, she makes good friends and learns new skills, especially in art and photography techniques. After returning home, disasters combine to make Mary Pearl’s life increasingly difficult. Only later does she find true contentment, and the reader discovers this has in fact become a love story.
This novel’s strength lies in its evocative descriptions of place and time – the hot, rough, unforgiving Arizona Territory early in the 20th century. It is hard on men, and even harder on women. This coming of age story explores the resilience of one young woman who is able to find happiness despite severe hardships.
