Description
by Elizabeth Wolf
After the sudden and mysterious death of his father, Von lives a life that is as calm and predictable as possible. That is until he meets Lila, a troubled college student who uses drugs, alcohol, and one-night stands to escape her fear of death after a cancer diagnosis.
Although he is unable to come to terms with his own tragic past, Von feels he can use his experience as a psychology major to help Lila. As an unlikely relationship develops between the two, they each must face the traumatic events that changed their lives.
It takes the unknown connection they both have to a homeless veteran, and his selfless act of courage, for both of them to learn that hope and healing can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places.
Deluxe Hardcover Edition with full color dustjacket, 332 pages.
Meredith –
“In the Night of Day” is an absorbing novel and a fantastic character study. The protagonists, Lila and Von, are two finely drawn, very different characters—Lila is a sleep-deprived, substance-abusing student trying to outrun a cancer diagnosis, while Von is a buttoned-up psychology PhD student. Despite their individual personalities and baggage, they find a surprising connection with one another. The way Von attempts to help Lila is misguided, but their relationship—told from alternating perspectives— offers a satisfying deep dive into his analysis and her perspective. My favorite character of all, though, is Ernest, a homeless veteran, who weaves in and out of the story, dropping bits and pieces of humanity, history, and more—almost the glue of it all. The novel left me reflecting on the complexities of human connections and the unexpected ways people can impact each other’s lives.