The Lighthouse by Paco Roca

The Lighthouse by Paco Roca

The Lighthouse follows Francisco, a wounded, despairing seventeen-year-old soldier in the Spanish Civil War, who is trying to flee to freedom by crossing the French border. In his escape, he encounters an old remote lighthouse, far from the warring factions. He is granted shelter by Telmo, the aging operator of the lighthouse. As Francisco recuperates, Telmo’s takes of epic adventurers who sailed the lost seas and discovered worlds unknown reignite the spark of life in the young soldier.

The Lighthouse is a story of finding hope in despair, and the power of the imagination to heal a broken soul. The novel takes a universal outlook on the subject of human conflict: that war breeds cynicism and despondency, but by holding on to a feeling of wonder and possibility one can stay young at heart. The two protagonists mirror these themes: a boy who grew up too fast, and an old man who never stopped being a child. The author contrasts the perspectives of each character to highlight the many ways humans cope with adversity. The novel is filled with allusions to myths, legends, and stories to do with the sea, from Moby Dick and Gulliver’s Travels to Neptune and Homer’s Odyssey. They play a significant role in Francisco’s journey towards hope and shed light on Telmo’s peculiar attitude towards life. Telmo endlessly quotes Moby Dick, saying ‘the sea is the refuge for free men’, subtlety foreshadowing the conclusion of the story and providing Francisco with a new perspective; war and politics don’t seem to matter when compared to impartial expanse of the sea and of nature as a whole. The illustration style is reminiscent of Herge’s Adventures of TinTin, but in a sleek black and white finish that creates a stark contrast between light and shadow. The lasting message of the novel is to keep going even if there is no hope and to never give up on life. If you enjoy a short half an hour read that is full of heart and humour and poignant symbolism, then this is the book for you.

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