“I adored stepping into to the world of the Prines through tough-as-rawhide Mary Pearl. Light Changes Everything is a novel as gritty and authentic as the women of the Arizona Territory. Nancy E. Turner brings the west and its people fully to life.” -Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours Bestselling author Nancy E. Turner returns to the world of Sarah Agnes … Turner returns to the world of Sarah Agnes Prine through the wide-eyes of her irrepressible young niece, Mary Pearl.
It’s the summer of 1907 and the sun is scorching down on Mary Pearl in the Arizona Territory. Mary Pearl and her sister Esther take their minds off the heat by sneaking banned Jane Austen novels from Aunt Sarah Elliot’s lively bookshelf. Whispered read alouds preoccupy their nights, and reveries of getting hitched to their own Mr. Darcy à la Pride and Prejudice swirl through their day dreams.
In walks old-fashioned old-money suitor Aubrey Hanna, here to whisk seventeen year old Mary Pearl off her feet with a forbidden kiss and hasty engagement. With the promise of high society outings and a rich estate, Aubrey’s lustful courtship quickly creates petty tension among the three generations of Prine women.
As autumn approaches all too quickly, Mary Pearl’s Wheaton College acceptance counters quick marriage preparations. Days of travel by horse and by train carry her deep into a sophisticated new world of Northern girls’ schooling. Seeking friendship but finding foes, Mary Pearl not only learns how to write, read, and draw, but also how to act, dress, and be a woman.
Light Changes Everything is the story of a resilient young feminist a century ahead of her time. Full of gumption and spirit, Mary Pearl’s evocative coming of age tale is destined to be the next American classic.
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“Years ago, I loved The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, and I adored stepping into to the world of the Prines through tough-as-rawhide Mary Pearl. Light Changes Everything is a novel as gritty and authentic as the women of the Arizona Territory. Nancy E. Turner brings the west and its people fully to life.”
The key characters of this lovely family saga are even more compelling than the story’s title. The real, regional voice pulls the reader right into an emotional read that is poignant and ultimately wise. Light Changes Everything is a story that stays with you for all the right reasons.
Nancy E. Turner (of the wildly popular Sarah Agnes Prine series) returns with her signature warmth and an Aunt Sarah to boot. I dare you not to be charmed by this sweet tale of a woman finding her way at the dawn of a new century. Light Changes Everything illuminates the heart of an American family and highlights its historic glow.
Light Changes Everything by Nancy E. Turner is Historical Fiction in the Arizona Territory of the early 1900‘s. I look forward to each new book by Nancy E.Turner, her words take you to the time, place and culture she is writing about.. Her newest book is realistic and details life’s unexpected heartaches and joys. It is full of exciting adventures with Sarah Prine‘s niece Mary Pearl and involve the whole Prine family. If you like historical fiction Light Changes Everything is a must read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars
This was an easy read, though there were some difficult and dangerous moments. Though more a coming of age story, the historical fiction aspects were appealing. The hardships endured in the Arizona territory in early 1900 was eye opening. This one will have you invested in Mary Pearl’s life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Dunne Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
A well-done unpredictable read. I found the early days of photography informative and it is something I have never really thought much about. Good early independent woman book without being a chic-lit particularly. I recommend opening it and giving the book a try.
I will try more of Turner’s books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the only problem I had was I did not want it to end. It took us back to the time when the West was not individual states but territories and how woman were thought of as weaker then men. No so, the main character makes her own decisions, right or wrong, and in the end becomes the hero of the story. She refuses to be pigeon holed and told what she can and can’t do. It is an amazing story with twists and turns and keeps you enthralled throughout the story. Thanks Nancy it was great.
About ten years ago, I read and adored the Sarah Agnes Prine trilogy by Nancy E. Turner, so I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that I could return to that family in the Arizona Territory after all these years away. This author has a truly unique style. The first person narration is conversational, like catching up with an old friend, but it is also somehow lyrical and poetic at times. Mary Pearl Prine is one of those rare, unforgettable characters who truly does feel like a friend you’ll miss. The raw emotions were palpable; I was angry on her behalf and sad at times and amused and even proud of her. This story was captivating…as in, losing track of time while reading into the wee hours of the morning. As a desert-dwelling Arizona resident, it was particularly fascinating for me to imagine those gritty settlers who battled every obstacle imaginable to make this unforgiving place one that we can comfortably call home today. Light Changes Everything transported me to another time, and what I learned there will linger in my mind for a long time.
Wouldn’t Jane Austen be amazed at the effect her books have had on others. This book is all about Jane Austen hitting the Arizona Territory in 1907. It was interesting how this book enhanced and gave Light and changed so many. I enjoyed reading about the life in 1907.
Thank you for NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review this book.
Nancy E. Turner’s tale of an endearingly plucky young woman in the wild Arizona Territory in the early 1900’s is chock full of family feuds, intrigue, heartache, gumption, and adventure. Colorful, thoroughly enjoyable, and as fast-moving as a band of horses galloping across the desert, Light Changes Everything is a delight.
Mary Pearl Prine is a western original. Her spirit and pluckiness are infectious. Filled with Arizona Territory detail and language, Nancy E. Turner’s Light Changes Everything, the story of a young woman too self-confident to be beaten down by frontier challenges, promises to become a Wild West classic.
I was captivated from the start by Mary Pearl’s independence and grit, and I loved the strong thread of family loyalty that knits together her far-flung adventures throughout the Arizona territory, up to Chicago for art school, and down to Mexico for revenge. I was thrilled by her moments of bravery and moved to tears by her losses. As I turned the last page, I felt I was saying goodbye to a real friend rather than closing the book on a fictional character, so vividly did Nancy Turner portray her remarkable heroine.
Light Changes Everything is such a compelling, heartfelt book! Mary Pearl is the kind of heroine I love best! She is fearless yet naive, devoted and loyal, strong and resilient with a heart full of love—-except for those that have crossed her or hurt her family! It was thrilling to read about the Arizona Territory back in the early 1900’s; rugged and unforgiving, but beautiful country! The author did a spectacular job of bringing the setting to life. I highly recommend this moving book of love, adventure, betrayal, bravery and determination!
Light Changes Everything by Nancy E. Turner is part historical fiction part coming of age part finding what matters in life kind of novel. It begins 1907 territory of Arizona (including her stint at Wheaton College in Illinois).
I truly love the female protagonist, Mary Pearl Prine, who is around 17. I had no clue about the trilogy of books Ms Turner had written about her aunt, Sarah Agnes Prine, until after I began exploring the author and her other works. I love the whole cast of characters; you cant make this kind of stuff up. I loved everything about this book. The dialects, the lingo, the daily chores, and habits. Mary is such a strong young woman who truly has a solid moral compass. I love that she gets to spread her wings and learn about the world, and more importantly, about herself. I love Zach and Ezra, Granny, Aunt Sarah, and Brody. I laughed and cried along with them (and when you read this, you will know what I mean).
I am only just now beginning to read more fiction and nonfiction involving the west/western territories during the 1800s and early 1900s. It is beyond fascinating to me, and through this venture, I have begun to learn so much about our nation’s past as well as the trials and daily events people lived out in these harsh conditions. It is not for the faint that is for sure.
This book is so amazing that I cannot wait to read the author’s trilogy about Mary’s Aunt Sarah. This is a must read.
5/5 stars
Light Changes Everything by Nancy E Turner is another of her series surrounding the Prine family in the 1800s. Life on the prairie was never easy and this story lays the hardship out for the reader without making it too maudlin or overly sad. Life was good, too. There was love and beauty and children, as well as death, perversity, and lies. Much like modern life in many ways. Mary Pearl is off to a two-year art course in Wheaton, Illinois. No one of them had ever gone off to school before. The family definitely had mixed feelings about it. So did Mary Pearl once Aubrey Hanna had kissed her and declared they were to be married. Mary Pearl was torn, surely if he loved her he would wait for her. Off she went, without telling Aubrey but instead sending him a letter; the first of many letters she would write declaring her love for him and her desire to wait to marry. He never wrote back, but he did send her money to help with school. Life went on. Mary Pearl had a tough time adjusting to life in Wheaton but adjust she did. She began to enjoy it, even if it was hard.
Turner’s voice, and that of the Prines, is as strong as ever in this story. One can feel the pain and heartbreak, as well as the joy as we read these words, filled with life and emotion. We really get to know Mary Pearl. It is more a character sketch than anything. She is active; she has her own voice. She loves who she loves; she hates who she hates. In addition to that, the reader gets a real glimpse of life at this time, with these people. If you loved the earlier books, you will love this one more. I recommend it,
I received a free ARC of Light Changes Everything from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #lightchangeseverything