Blue Light (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Blue Light is a science fiction novel released in 1998 by American writer Walter Mosley, published through Little Brown and Company.
Plot summary
In 1965, a strange blue light descends from space over Northern California, bestowing extraordinary abilities on those it contacts or driving them to death or insanity. Individuals affected, known as "Blues," develop powers far beyond typical human capacity. Due to their unique talents, the Blues face segregation but come together to discover their shared destiny. Concurrently, Horace LaFontaine—who is struck by the light at the moment of his death—returns as the sinister "Gray Man," determined to eradicate the Blues. The Blues seek refuge in a forest sanctuary but ultimately engage in a decisive confrontation with the Gray Man, utilizing their enhanced powers to overcome him. Following this victory, they assimilate into smaller communities across Northern California, coexisting with ordinary citizens.
Main characters
- Chance: narrator and Blue endowed with prophetic visions
- Claudia: Blue who can evoke intense desire
- Winch Fargo: partially affected individual and murderer
- Orde: Blues’ leader and guide
- Horace LaFontaine: cancer patient transformed into the Gray Man
- Juan Thrombone: enigmatic figure reminiscent of Don Juan
Reception
Blue Light was met with largely favorable critiques, earning commendation for its gripping storyline and effective fusion of horror and fantasy elements. The New York Times emphasized the novel’s compelling plot momentum over its character exploration. SF Signal described it as "an excellent, well-crafted, page-turning horror/fantasy blend." Comparisons were frequently drawn between this work and Mosley’s other titles such as Devil in a Blue Dress and Futureland: Nine Stories of an Imminent World. Themes addressing segregation and resilience echoed racial challenges encountered by African Americans, although one reviewer considered this theme somewhat superfluous. Overall ratings predominantly ranged from three to five stars, with minimal negative feedback.
Awards
- Recognized as a The New York Times Notable Book in 1998.
- Finalist for the NAACP Award in Fiction.
- 1996 - Awarded the Black Caucus of the American Library Association's Literary Award for RL's Dream.
- 1996 - Recipient of the O. Henry Award for a story featuring Socrates Fortlow.
- 2002 - Honored with a Grammy Award for "Best Liner Notes" on a Richard Pryor collection.
- 2006 - First-ever winner of the Carl Brandon Society Parallax Award for the young adult novel 47.
- Conferred an honorary doctorate by the City College of New York.
External links
- Official Walter Mosley website
- Walter Mosley: A Seat at the Table – Excerpts from an interview, Locus Magazine (December 2001)
- Primary Color – Review by Mel Watkins in The New York Times (1998)
- Books To Look For – Charles de Lint, Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (1999)
- 'Blue Light' Shines by Transcending Novelty – Tom Janulewicz, Space.com (1999)
- Review (2003)
- Review in The Observer by Nicholas Blincoe (1999)