A Ring of Endless Light

A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle, 1980 Farrar, Straus & Giroux

     Vicky Austin and her family are spending the summer with her grandfather on Seven Bay Island at his home. Grandfather Eaton is dying of leukemia and the Austins are spending as much time with him as they can. At the beginning of their visit, though, Commander Rodney of the Coast Guard--a family friend--dies saving a kid who went sailing during a summer storm.
     After the funeral she discovers Zachary, her boyfriend from the previous summer, was the kid Commander Rodney saved and indirectly caused his death. Zachary was attempting to kill himself, and Vicky begins to see death everywhere from the publicity of the newspaper to the privacy of her family. Zachary wants Vicky to help him keep his grip on reality, to center and anchor him as the world sways around him.
     Commander Rodney's son, Leo, tries to get over his father's death by immersing himself in his friendship with Vicky. At first his friendship is easily acceptable, a continuation of their childhood camaraderie. But as time goes on Leo wants more than Vicky can give.
     Leo and Zachary aren't the only young men vying for Vicky's attention, her new acquaintance is an intern at the research lab on Seven Bay Island. Adam Eddington worked with Commander Rodney on his dolphin project. When Vicky meets his dolphin companions she is stunned at their joyful personalities and the relationships they develop with Adam and each other.
     As the summer progresses Vicky wavers between the three young men and how they each influence her. Death seems to surround her, and though life presents its distractions there is nothing to stop the darkness from swallowing her. When she does fall into the darkness it isn't Leo's friendship or Zachary's flair that bring her out of the depths. Adam's persistence, wholesome concern, and understanding of what makes Vicky tick bring her back from the darkness.
     In A Ring of Endless Light readers get to know and understand Vicky as she learns more about herself, what she wants from a relationship, and the frustrations of mortality. L'Engle deals with one of the biggest difficulties of growing up in a manner appropriate for teens and older children. The book is targeted at teens but has elements that appeal to readers of all ages.