The Triumph of Light

Synopsis

This coming of age story takes place from 1970-1991. It can be described as a love tragedy triangle. The novel gets its title from a statue that was dedicated to the City of San Francisco by its former Mayor and philanthropist, Adolph Sutro. It was meant to be an imperishable symbol that would inspire the people of San Francisco to do “good and noble deeds for the benefit of mankind”. Over the course of about a century since its dedication, the statue became vandalized and partially dismantled, leaving only it’s base, otherwise known as “The Monument”. Along with it’s physical deterioration, the meaning of the statue eventually became obscured and largely forgotten.

That is, until circumstances bring all five main characters together for a reunion in San Francisco in the year 1991. The protagonist, Harlon Winer, finds the mysterious monument fascinating and is determined to discover its meaning and to share it with others who would also find it spiritually valuable. One of the circumstances behind this reunion is the failing health of Harlon’s friend, Charlie Rivers, who is gravely ill due to contracting the AIDS virus. Not only is Charlie dying, he is being preyed on by his employees and partners, Rob and Holly Gold. All three of them are involved in a development project on the San Mateo Coast known as Dragon Rock Hotel and Resort. The project, although nearing completion, has run into a number of difficulties. The Gold’s are aware of Charlie’s condition and are apparently conspiring to cut him out of his share of the profits from the project.

Further complicating these developments are the unresolved interpersonal relationships between the main characters. Charlie Rivers was formerly the first boyfriend of Holly Pierce. Later, Holly met Harlon Winer with whom she stayed with for about five years. Holly then left Harlon for his Harvard Law School rival, Rob Gold, after Rob was dismissed from Harvard Law School for plagiarizing a law school article written by Harlon Winer. Rob and Holly moved to San Francisco afterward, got married, had two children, and became fabulously wealthy investing in San Francisco Real Estate. Rounding out this group of revolving relationships is Amanda Grant who was also a girlfriend of Charlie Rivers after Holly. Harlon and Amanda become involved romantically with each other as they simultaneously try to help their old friend Charlie Rivers out of his medical and financial crisis.

For Harlon and Amanda, at least, their trip to San Francisco proves to be a valuable voyage of self-discovery on many levels. It also helps them to lay to rest many of the demons from their collective past as well as to envision a brighter future for themselves as well as for others.