Stephen Whyte's solemn nature and delicate sensibility alienates him from what he sees as the malaise of the crude sensibility and coarse, frivolous life of his community. His search for a means to remedy that malaise - and thereby end his isolation and take a place in the community appropriate to his 'higher' sensibility - leads him inexorably to a course of action that risks his entire future and wellbeing.

'Stylistically and linguistically Changing Light reads very well, putting one in mind of classic literature. Indeed, subtle suggestions of 1984 and The Trial came to mind as the...