The Illumination
Feb 2, 2011
The Illumination
Author: Kevin Brockmeier
Publisher: Pantheon Books
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-375-42531-8
What if everyone in the world was unable to hide any of their pain from each other anymore? How would people act? Would they react differently to others, would they care?
This is exactly what happens one day - worldwide. Any pain that you experience becomes a glowing light. Injuries beam at different levels depending on intensity. Cancer gives the body a gentle luminosity. Car bombs turn people into beautiful pyrotechnic shows. Suddenly, pain is beautiful.
It causes a whole new religious fervor as individuals assume that the blinding glow of death means instant entry into heaven. Teens who before cut themselves in angst now do so to see the beautiful light of pain. Illness can’t be hidden. Pain can’t be ignored.
Revolving around this phenomena are six stories of people affected by deep pain and how the fact that they themselves and others can no longer hide their afflictions affect them and their lives.
Not happy stories, but very interesting.
Not happy stories, but very interesting.
