Welcome to my eight-part blog series about the main themes in Atlantic Split. Each Thursday, I will be discussing one of the themes in my blog, and this week I’m discussing the theme of family. Warning: This blog contains some mild spoilers.

Part 1: Prejudice

Part 2: Growing up

Part 3: Optimism

Part 4: Courage

Part 5: Friendship

Atlantic Split and The Luke Bright Series follows the importance of family, but also being able to break away from who your family make you become. As Luke lacked meaningful friendship in his childhood, his family were his main influence in who he grew up to be. The two main members of his family that feature in the book are Luke’s mum and dad. Anne Bright who is full of wisdom despite being overbearing and Frank Bright who remains stoic and critical of his son. Luke’s relationship with his father is central to the plot of Atlantic Split because Frank pushed Luke into becoming a police officer. Though Luke is desperate to impress his father, he instead ends up realising that Frank doesn’t share or acknowledge his views that the two Americans may be innocent.

Though my own relationship with my father couldn’t be further than the relationship between Luke and Frank, he passed away when I was only eighteen meaning the loss of family is very significant to me, and hard to write about. However, it is important for readers to understand this is why it is so important to make sure your family know they are loved so you don’t end up living with your regrets. Throughout The Luke Bright Series, Luke remains hopeful that one day his family will be able to understand his actions and that he’ll someday be able to get back to them. Family is of much importance to James and Steve in different ways and shapes both their backgrounds and what drives them. It’s something the three have in common, despite being three very different characters.

Whilst Luke values his family a huge amount, throughout Atlantic Split he realises that they’ve also been holding him back too. Luke’s never truly been allowed to grow up and make his own choices, and though his first choice lands him in a lot of trouble, it also allows him to become the person he’s destined to become. A revolutionary at the age of nineteen standing against the Atlantic Split. Sometimes, these experiences that break our lives become the great experiences that set us on new paths and not everyone you start it with is meant to remain with you on your journey.

I end this blog with a quote from Atlantic Split about family from James. Whilst James is desperate to get back to his own family, he empathises about what’s happened between Luke and his own family and is great at giving advice.

“Parents can’t help but be protective but when it comes down to it, your child is a person, a whole person who thinks for themselves, does things for themselves. If you never let them grow up then they won’t be happy with you for doing that.” James Cunningham – Atlantic Split

Thank you for reading this blog, and next Thursday I’ll be back with the seventh theme of Atlantic Split: Bullying.

Atlantic Split is the first book in The Luke Bright Series and is available to purchase NOW! Please follow me on my blog and my social media links below and use the links on my website to purchase a copy if you have not done so. Don’t forget to leave a review! Thank you once again for taking the time to read this blog post.

N.A.K.