Kirk Neely has written a new book and his first full-length novel. December Light 1916 is an historical novel that takes place in Georgetown County, South Carolina. Set in the early twentieth century, the book gives insight into the social history of the Deep South. It also presents a fascinating look at the natural history of North Island and Winyah Bay. Here is master storyteller Kirk Neely at his best.
Eli Solomon is the lighthouse keeper at the North Island Light located at the mouth of Winyah Bay. Eli is an immigrant from the Ukraine. He is a naturalized United States citizen. As an Orthodox Jew, Eli's faith often conflicts with his duties as a lighthouse keeper. He does his best to be diligent in his work and to be an observant Jew. Roy Holden, the inspector for the United States Lighthouse Service, is anti-Semitic. He is Eli's superior and his antagonist.
Samuel Pringle is a former slave on a rice plantation. Samuel is a man of unusual insight and wisdom. He embodies the traditions of his Gullah culture, and he retains his Gullah dialect. Samuel is a person of faith, though he rarely attends church. He works for Richard Meade, the owner of a general store in Georgetown. Meade is a man filled with hate and prejudice toward Blacks, Jews, and Catholics. Samuel and Eli are both objects of Meade's ridicule.
Though Eli and Samuel work and live thirteen miles apart, and though they see each other rarely, they develop a friendship that spans racial, religious, and ethnic differences. Both are watermen. Both are widowers grieving the loss of their wives. Though they have clay feet, both are men of integrity struggling daily against the indignities and the injustices of discrimination.
In his debut novel, Neely has written a well-crafted story that is for our time. It is a story of hope in the face of fear and despair. It is a story of love conquering the forces of hate. It is a story of light overcoming the darkness. It is a story set in 1916 and a story for now.
This is a volume for the Christmas and Hanukkah season. Book lovers searching for an engaging read for the holidays or for an inspiring gift for a friend or family member, will find December Light 1916 worthy of consideration. Every South Carolinian should read this book. It should be required reading for every high school senior and every college freshman. Book clubs will find this to be a selection that will spark lively discussion. This is a book for everybody.
Kirk Neely has been in pastoral ministry for fifty-five years. He has long been a leader in ecumenical and interfaith relationships. He is a regular contributor to the Faith and Values page of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. His "By the Way" column appears each Sunday in the Herald-Journal.
December Light 1916 is scheduled for publication on September 30, 2020.