Health Study or top-secret CIA experiment?
This Moth Saw Brightness is the debut novel by author A.A Vacharat and is a quirky coming of age tale following ‘Wayne, his best friend Kermit and ‘Wayne’s high school crush Jane as the trio navigate the ins and outs of a mysterious John’s Hopkins health study. With participation being on an “invitation only” basis, ‘Wayne is pleased and a little terrified to find out that his secret crush is also a participant. As the duo compare notes they begin to wonder if there isn’t something more sinister afoot than what is being presented as “daily assignments” and occasional office visits. This speculation reaches a sinister high upon seeing a fellow classmate and participant in the study removed from the school. With their continuing speculations regarding the validity and legality of study growing more with each day, they devise a plan to get answers. But, they must be careful, at best they’ll make themselves look paranoid and steeped in conspiracies and at worst, they could open a pandora’s box that they are not ready to deal with.
I really enjoyed this book, even thought there was a lot going in and a ton to try to keep straight. There is so much more to ‘Wayne than meets the eye. He seems to be under the constant pressure of his dad to do better, and he lives under the shadow of his mother who, after leaving the family years before is now slowly making her way back into their life one email and state at a time. I really loved Vacharat’s use of footnotes through this entire book as a neat way to add small snippets of backstory or commentary without running down a complete rabbit hole, and ‘Wayne’s abbreviations are really amusing. The dynamic Wayne has with Kermit and his family was also refreshing to see as well as ‘Wayne’s relationship with his cousin Olive. A few of the minor characters were just way over the top and completely campy that every time one appeared on scene you knew they were going to do or say something so ridiculous that it would be funny.
I feel that if I say much more I will be giving away more of this book than I want to. If you are looking for a quirky, sometimes funny, sometimes serious coming of age type story where all walks of life are represented A.A. Vacharat’s This Moth Saw Brightness is a great read. After spending so much time with ‘Wayne, Kermit, Jane and the rest of the characters I wonder if a follow up is in store? It could be interesting to see the awkwardness of ‘Wayne and his mother coming face to face again after all these years as well as the developing connection and friendship between him and Jane. Of course, the Hopkins study, while complete for them continues on a grander scale and I’m sure there are many unanswered questions. Time will only tell if Vacharat returns to the Baltimore area to catch up with ‘Wayne and friends, but if she does I’ll be sure to read.
Full disclosure: I was provided a Netgalley copy of this title by the author or their authorized agent, however, have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own.
Jennly Reads 