Welcome to my eight-part blog series about the main themes in A Long Lost Time. You may have read my previous blog series on the themes in the other books in the series so now it’s time for the final one. This week I’m going back to the themes of At Liberty To Live and seeing how things have changed now in A Long Lost Time in my penultimate theme blog of the series!
Warning: This blog contains spoilers.
A Long Lost Time in itself is a new beginning, even if it is in fact the end of the series and the end of Luke’s time in the USA. Even though he’s treading back over old ground both in the USA and in the UK, it is a new start for him. Being able to go back as this new version of himself and live a very different kind of life to the one he imagined. It takes a lot of getting used to, but he’ll get there.
It’s clear that Luke’s strength hasn’t diminished across the series, even if sometimes his willpower and motivation has. He’s always been strong internally, and even at his lowest moments, he still knows the importance of fighting back. He’s been through a lot physically and mentally, and over the two years he’s changed an awful lot. But, he’s come out of it stronger, and far more resilient. It’s a good change for sure that sets him up for the future ahead.
This theme actually doesn’t concern Luke that much, but it in fact relates to Vi. Because, Vi had to give up Riverdene Acting School for Luke, and now, she had to give up her chance of going to acting school in the UK. Luke feels extremely guilty about it, especially since Vi has already given up so much for him, but he does manage to make it right in the end.
Again, it’s a theme that doesn’t necessarily relate to Luke. It’s in fact one that relates more to Luke and Vi’s relationship. Despite knowing each other for ages and the chemistry bubbling through for months, the first week of their relationship was intense. Travelling back to the UK from the USA and living together straight away. It is something that Luke and Vi are both slightly nervous about, especially since if it doesn’t work out, Luke’s got nowhere to go. Luckily for them, they’re able to make it through just fine.
A Long Lost Time is a great book for feminism, seeing as Vi and Chrissie carry the second half of the book. They absolutely slaughter it and their duo is fantastic – Luke is a very lucky man to have them on his side! However, whilst both of them do end up sacrificing a lot for Luke, they know that there’s a bigger picture on the horizon for them both if they succeed. They’re two very strong women and a massive contrast to Harriet who is so reliant on Marco. There’s a great scene with the three of them together which sends a great message of feminism out there.
I do believe that this theme is kind of complete by the time we get to this book. Luke’s realised what he wants to do with his life is (see next point) make a difference to other’s lives and fight against the Atlantic Split. It’s his aim right at the end of An Undercover Dream and he carries it out through A Long Lost Time consistently. Even at the end, he realises that his true purpose is this fight, not the dream of acting school he thought it was, but changing the world. It’s a great to see it come full circle.
This theme really does go without saying, but it’s only when Luke gets a chance to look back on his final day in the USA that he really understands what a difference he’s made to the people around him. There are so many people whose lives he’s changed, so many people he’s helped along the way. He’s truly made a difference to them, and now, he has to make a difference to the world. It’s his next big mission and now…it’s finally within reach for him.
Thank you for reading this blog, and next Thursday, I’m going back to An Undercover Dream and how the themes in that book recur in this one! See you then!
Atlantic Split Theme Blog Series Links:
An Undercover Dream Theme Blog Series Links:
A Long Lost Time Theme Blog Series Links:
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N.A.K
Neil A. King 