The Shock of the Light - by Lori Inglis Hall (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Twins Tessa and Theo are roots of the same tree, in tune with one another's every thought and desire. As World War II takes hold across Europe, both are eager to do their part. Theo is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies, while Tessa jumps at the chance to join the Special Operations Executive, devoted to spying and sabotage behind enemy lines. It will be dangerous, highly classified work, but Tessa, despite all she shares with Theo, is no stranger to secret-keeping. Two years later, Theo comes home. Tessa does not. Theo, wounded, broken by the loss of his fellows and his sister, is indefatigable, angry, driven, a clandestinely gay man at a time when homosexuality was illegal--and he will pay a price for pursuing answers about Tessa's fate. Decades later, PhD candidate Edie is deep into her research on the Special Operations Executive during the war. When she finds Theo in London, they form an unlikely partnership, and together they finally uncover the truth about Theo's beloved sister--a truth that stretches back to the summer Tessa spent in France before the war had even begun"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A sweeping novel of siblings, steeped in love, heart-rending loss, and sacrifice, the story of twins who meet shockingly different fates, but whose bond will last forever

Twins Tessa and Theo are roots of the same tree, in tune with one another's every thought and desire. As World War II takes hold across Europe, both are eager to do their part. Theo is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies, while Tessa jumps at the chance to join the Special Operations Executive, devoted to spying and sabotage behind enemy lines. It will be dangerous, highly classified work, but Tessa, despite all she shares with Theo, is no stranger to secret-keeping.

Two years later, Theo comes home. Tessa does not.

Theo, wounded, broken by the loss of his fellows and his sister, is indefatigable, angry, driven, a clandestinely gay man at a time when homosexuality was illegal--and he will pay a price for pursuing answers about Tessa's fate.

Decades later, PhD candidate Edie is deep into her research on the Special Operations Executive during the war. When she finds Theo in London, they form an unlikely partnership, and together they finally uncover the truth about Theo's beloved sister--a truth that stretches back to the summer Tessa spent in France before the war had even begun.

Stunningly and propulsively written, The Shock of the Light is a novel of bravery, the brutal human cost of war, a brother and sister bond that outlasts even death, and the redemptive love that grows in unexpected places.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Shock of the Light

"A wonderfully conceived and remarkably assured first novel, rich in emotion and with a truly compelling narrative drive. A brilliant success."
--William Boyd, bestselling author of Any Human Heart

"An intriguing take on female spies that opens up the clandestine world to generations who feel the Second World War to be distant and perhaps even irrelevant to their lives. The writing is admirably spare, delicately descriptive, and alluring in its twists and turns."
--Sonia Purnell, New York Times bestselling author of A Woman of No Importance

"A powerful story, beautifully told. The writing is masterfully smooth and sure-footed, in complete command of its subject as it shines a light on a largely overlooked aspect of the Second World War. The final chapter is extraordinary in its restraint and fearless simplicity. Such a fascinating and satisfying read."
--M.L. Stedman, New York Times bestselling author of The Light Between Oceans

"Lori Inglis Hall bursts onto the scene with A debut of astounding power and delicacy.... English twins Tessa and Theo find themselves separated by both war and secrets, Theo taking to the skies as an RAF pilot and Tessa parachuting behind enemy lines as a spy in France. When Tessa fails to return in peacetime, an embittered Theo dedicates his life to finding out what happened to her--a search leading him from Paris to Nuremburg and beyond. The Shock of the Light is a story that sings with every word and lingers long in the memory--an absolute stunner!"
--Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club

"Masterfully weaves together sibling bonds and dark secrets while bringing lesser-known history to life. . . Fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale would be well-served to reach for The Shock of the Light."
--Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of Last Twilight in Paris

"Hall brings a fine literary touch and acute psychological sensitivity to a story starring an unforgettable pair of British twins separated by war, each carrying weighty secrets. Spine-chilling and beautifully rendered, The Shock of the Light drew me in from the start"
--Georgia Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones

"Far-reaching, but also intimate and intensely personal in the loves, secrets, and betrayals it examines... a quietly devastating story about lost time and lost futures that will stay with me."
--Florence Knapp, New York Times bestselling author of The Names

"Lori Inglis Hall is an exceptional storyteller, with the moral precision of Pat Barker and the skillful restraint of Irène Némirovsky. With The Shock of the Light, she draws from history a story for our own troubled times: a reminder of how love endures when conflict divides us. Exquisitely written and deeply human, this stunning novel affirms the courage and compassion that survive even in terrible darkness."
--Chris Cleave, New York Times bestselling author of Incendiary

"A beautifully constructed and profoundly moving portrait of a brother and sister separated by the secrets of war, The Shock of the Light is an astonishing achievement."
--Lauren Grodstein, New York Times bestselling author of We Must Not Think of Ourselves

"Hall writes about World War II, so we can live it, intimately, with our young heroes, Tess and Theo, as we follow them through their joined and separate paths, in this startling, elegant and revelatory novel about lies, loss, and enduring love."
--Amy Bloom, New York Times bestselling author of In Love

"A beautiful, clever debut, heart wrenching and totally immersive. A special twist on an era we think we know so well--highlighting some lesser-known and devastating moments. Impeccably researched, the very best example of historical fiction. Quietly devastating and so moving--I was completely absorbed."
--Cesca Major, author of Maybe Next Time

"A beautiful and devastating story of love and loss and broken bonds. Through twins Tessa and Theo, Lori Inglis Hall brilliantly conjures the ambience of wartime, capturing the quiet and prolonged agony of not knowing the fate of those we love."
--Joanna Glen, author of All My Mothers

"This novel floored me. It is a rare thing and close to perfect. It really does have it all: a profound and enthralling story that will grip even the most reluctant of readers, characters that feel as real as my friends or even myself, and the sort of beautiful, careful prose that you'll want to read and reread. I finished this book in a state of awe and grief. Grief that it was over, and awe that Lori Inglis Hall had pulled off an astonishing sleight of hand, and made me rage and grieve and love these characters as though they were real. That is to say: in the space of four hundred pages, she made me care, utterly and completely. I urge you to pick up this book and read it!"
--Elizabeth Macneal, international bestselling author of The Doll Factory

"Easily one of the best books I have read. Beautifully written and achingly human, The Shock of the Light is a novel of courage, sacrifice, and devastating secrets that echo across generations. At its heart is the fierce, unbreakable bond between a brother and sister--one that unearths a shameful, buried history of the SOE and reveals the unbearable price it demanded. At once intimate and epic, this unforgettable debut will astonish readers, break their hearts, and open their eyes."
--Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of The Secret Keeper

About the Author

Lori Inglis Hall has an MA (research) in history from Goldsmiths College, University of London, and works as a researcher and rights manager for the estate of the photographer Lee Miller. Previously, she spent a decade working in politics at the House of Commons. She lives rurally in Sussex with her family and an inordinate number of books. The Shock of the Light is Hall's first novel.