Set against the backdrop of 20th-century London, 'Light Perpetual' imagines the lives that five children might have led if they had not been victims of a wartime tragedy. Francis Spufford weaves a tapestry of narratives exploring the 'what if' as these individuals navigate the torrents of history, from social movements to technological revolutions, experiencing love, loss, and the whole spectrum of human emotion. Through the prism of these intimate portraits, the novel reflects on the fragility of existence and the marvel of everyday life, celebrating the enduring light of human spirit amidst the shadows of history.