A Scatter of Light

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo is a mesmerising and poignant journey into the complexities of family, identity, and burgeoning desire. Aria Tang West is on the cusp of a new chapter in her life, with plans to spend her last summer before MIT on Martha's Vineyard with her closest friends. However, her world is turned upside down when intimate photos of her are leaked online, and she finds herself suddenly uninvited from all the summer festivities.

With her best-laid plans in ruins, Aria’s parents, who are deeply entrenched in their own busy lives, decide to send her to Northern California to stay with her grandmother, Joan West, a renowned artist. It's here, in the serene and somewhat secluded environment, that Aria begins to redefine her sense of self. Joan’s home is a haven of creativity, where the air is thick with the scent of paint and the spirit of artistic freedom.

Despite having always considered herself straight, Aria is unexpectedly drawn to Joan's gardener, Steph Nichols. Steph, a few years older than Aria and an aspiring musician, is captivating in ways Aria never anticipated. The only complication? Steph is currently in a relationship with her girlfriend, Lisa. Throughout this transformative summer, Aria grapples with her unprecedented feelings and the tension between desire and propriety.

A Scatter of Light is more than a story of first love; it’s an exploration of how art, generational relationships, and personal identity intersect and evolve. Malinda Lo's writing is beautifully nuanced, weaving together the threads of family legacy and the trembling exhilaration of new discoveries. It’s a narrative rich in emotional depth and stunningly vivid depictions.

"Beautifully rendered and instantly captivating. Malinda Lo writes queer desire like no other." - DIVA MAGAZINE

"Lo writes tenderly about the first buds of teenage desire amid a downtown hipster scene." - DAILY MAIL

"Poignant, vivid and so beautifully written. I adored it." - LAURA KAY

As a companion novel to the National Book Awards winner and New York Times bestseller Last Night at the Telegraph Club, A Scatter of Light stands on its own while enriching the universe Malinda Lo has so masterfully crafted. It’s a testament to the intricacies of the heart and the enduring influence of those who shape our lives.