Point of Direction

A remote lighthouse near Juneau, Ala., serves as a crucible through which two people come to terms with their past and begin to forge a future with each other, in Weaver’s sparkling debut. Anna Richard and Kyle McAllin meet when Kyle picks Anna up hitchhiking on the ALCAN Highway. They develop a relationship but share little information about themselves with each other, even after more than six months living together. When the couple decides to become caretakers for the Coast Guard–owned Hibler Rock Lighthouse and sign a nine-month lease, the lighthouse’s unforgiving environment, with its hard and constant work, becomes a sanctuary for one of them and a prison for the other. Weaver melds Anna’s past failures and Kyle’s issues with abandonment, as well as their present shared struggle, into a gripping narrative where they become like “two weak pieces tied together for strength.” An impressive debut that makes brilliant use of the harsh and beautiful Alaskan seascape. [em](May) [/em]