My rating: 3.5/5
The Light on Halsey Street by Vanessa Miller is a delightful story that weaves themes of friendship, forgiveness, and restoration within a purposeful plot. This page-turning novel is inspiring and promotes the power of forgiveness.
Friendship is the core of the novel, as readers follow the lives of protagonists Lisa Whitaker and Dana Jones in this engaging coming of age tale set in Bed-Stuy, New York. The book opens in the Summer of 1985. Lisa and Dana have recently graduated from high school and are facing the upcoming transitions of their lives. Readers immediately become aware of the different upbringings of the two young women. Lisa lives with her loving and wholesome parents, who raised her with devout Christian values. However, Dana has been poverty stricken most of her life due to a drug addicted Mother and unstable living situations. Dana has no personal relationship with Christ and is unsure of her future. Lisa is preparing to go to college and plans for a bright future of success. When an unfortunate event happens to Dana that changes the course of her life, their friendship grows distant. Years later, an unfortunate betrayal occurs within the friendship that causes deep emotional wounds. Eventually, they realize the sting of bitterness and the harshness of unforgiveness. From this experience, they both journey towards renewing their relationship and faith in Christ, in which they experience the blessings of restoration and healing from past disappointments.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Author Vanessa Miller splendidly integrates difficult subject matters into a superb tale. The characters are interesting, and the plot is inspiring. I was completely enthralled by the storyline, and enjoyed the descriptions of life in New York during the 1980’s. The Christian faith content was satisfying and did not complicate the plot. The overall message of forgiveness highlights the redeeming love of Jesus. This hopeful story is uplifting, and I recommend it.
