The Language of Sand
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
A magical novel that unravels one of life's greatest mysteries--how to go on after a devastating loss--through the power of words and their ability to heal, to transform, and to touch the heart. Luck: an event that could be for good or ill, depending on your interpretation. As a lexicographer, Abigail Harker has always taken refuge in the meaning of words. But when fate erases in one tragic moment what she loves the most, the very foundations of her life vanish. Abigail retreats to Chapel Isle, a secluded island in North Carolina's Outer Banks. As caretaker of a run-down lighthouse, she hopes to redefine herself. But as a resident soon remarks, "If you came to Chapel Isle for normal, you came to the wrong place." For on Chapel Isle, no one can be neatly defined. From a scientific genius to the feuding fishermen's wives, from a handsome hothead to the ghost said to be haunting the lighthouse, everyone is struggling to find meaning where meaning seems lost. And when a series of mysterious crimes strikes the island, Abigail finds that she must face down her deepest fears if she is to save herself, her neighbors, and the new life she's unexpectedly come to cherish.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0440245753
ISBN13:9780440245759
Release Date:April 2010
Publisher:Random House Publishing Group
Length:288 Pages
Weight:0.50 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 5.5" x 7.9"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Couldn't put it down!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
The Language of Sand is an excellent character study of Abigail (Abby), a lexicographer forced to remake her life following a devastating tragedy. Brett Block seamlessly moves between Abby's new life at a light house manager on the Outer Banks of South Carolina and Abigail's former life as a lexicographer in Boston. Abby's interaction with a very troubled male character is moving and full of surprises. Block's style is engaging and often humorous with some priceless one-liners. The reader is sure to finish this book and look forward to a promised sequel.
Perfect reading and perfect fun!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
I thought this book was a fresh breeze in a stale market. Lovable characters, fun plot twists, and it's such a nice distraction from what is going on in the Gulf. I would love to read a sequel to this book. I am invested enough in these characters to see what happens next. It would make a great little tv show too. A lovely story told in a charming way. Wish there was more!
Lovely examination of loss
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
Block's writing is gorgeous. She is one of those authors who paints a place and its people clearly enough for me to find but faintly enough for me to make my own. The story is one of grief and ghosts, anger and healing...and wounds that won't heal, too. I guess I liked that best. No neat little bows wrapped around the loss Abby experienced, just a story that examined the depth and breadth of it. Well done!
Lovely!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
This is such a lovely book! I love the characters and story line and especially love the ending - satisfying without being overly sweet or unrealistic.
Gem of a book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I was intrigued by the title of the book, read the jacket and decided to give it a whirl. Was I ever delighted by the wonders I found within its pages! It's intelligence, its quirky characters and its heartfelt emotions made me want the book to never end. When a writer can draw you into their story, feeling like you're actually witness to it all, there's nothing like it for shear entertainment. If you're looking for something that's unique, intelligent and memorable, do yourself a favor and pick this book up. You'll find yourself reading it once a year just to remember the wonders it provided you when you first read it.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
